Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

I support the amendments. For those who know anything about Dublin, the areas on the supplied map jump out as historically disadvantaged where people have been denied access not only to third level education but also to various facilities. I agree with Deputy Gregory that provisions for local access should be spelled out in the Bill. I spoke earlier of the negative impact it will have on local communities. All of us probably accept that, historically, many of them have been disadvantaged. Deputy Gregory is calling for the inclusion of sports and leisure facilities as it is important that local communities have access to such facilities.

In discussing the previous amendment the Minister spoke of the need to provide for consultation. "Consultation" is the buzz word in Dublin. Local authorities are famous for consultation with local communities but in many cases someone will arrive from the local authority, explain a plan to local residents and call this "consultation". I am not imagining this. I do not believe this is what the Minister means by consultation but a provision for consultation must be clear in the Bill, not only to the agency and the consultation group but also to local residents and those who pick up copies of the Bill. It must be clear that there are positive elements, that local people will have a say as well as seats on the appropriate board, and that the facilities will be provided.

Many universities in the State have been ivory towers. The DIT which has a long and positive record stretching back more than 100 years has a positive role. It has been an open and inclusive institute and should be mentioned in the Bill.

I support the amendments which are timely. We are back to what we discussed initially, the communities listed and the need for their involvement. It is not good enough to have the facilities located there if local kids can only look in, with the facilities not open to the public, as has happened in the past. It must be noted in the Bill that a new educational facility is being established, with a new way of looking at education. I hope the Minister will agree.

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