Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Can we get a report a some stage during the year on what progress is made on this issue? It is a big challenge. In nursing, medicine and dentistry, we have a number of people coming in from abroad to provide a great service because we do not have the people here who are qualified. I would like a report at some stage during the year on this issue.

I want to touch on another issue, which is a joint approach between third level institutions in the Republic and Northern Ireland. I can go back to 20 years ago when I was Lord Mayor of Cork. The then ambassador from China based in Dublin was very anxious that there would be a link with universities in Shanghai. One was established whereby people can study for three years in Cork and one year in Shanghai. People can also study for three years in Shanghai and for one year in Cork. What have we done to try to encourage a joint approach with universities in Northern Ireland? It is all about establishing contacts and giving context to the challenges we have in the South and the challenges in Northern Ireland. We could have a four-year course with three years in UCC and one year in Queen's or another university in Northern Ireland or vice versa. Has the Department had any engagement on trying to encourage this connection with third-level institutions in Northern Ireland?