Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

There is a timeframe for consultations, namely, the end of this month and early next month. I hope we will receive expressions of interest. The tender document has been released inviting these by the middle of this year when they will be assessed.

In response to Deputy Broughan I wish to enter a caveat that we should not allow the failure of the experiment with Media Lab to overshadow the success of the digital hub concept. There are over 40 companies working there employing approximately 400 people, and significant work is taking place in the local community, which is a beacon. Ironically, Media Lab was destined to be the flagship of the digital hub which has now superseded it and is self-sustaining.

It is a pity my socialist friends in the Labour Party did not give me more support on the third level fees issue. We might have made more progress on it if they had.

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