Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. I thank and commend the staff working in the institutes of technology for their valuable work and the major contribution they have made to society. It is important we remind ourselves that many of those people and their former students were the driving force of the economic success we enjoy today.

We must also focus on those who have been left behind, the children who do not get that far. We have moved on in recent years, increasing the numbers in third level education and I commend the Minister and those involved for encouraging such progress. We must focus on those in poverty, however, and education as a way to escape it and the institutes of technology are vital in achieving this. We must also listen to the concerns of those who work in the institutes of technology. I pay particular tribute to the members of the TUI.

This Bill facilitates the designation of the institutes of technology under the Higher Education Authority, providing an improved strategic framework for higher education. It substantially amends the Regional Technical Colleges Acts 1992 to 2001, the Dublin Institution of Technology Acts 1992 to 2001 and amends the Higher Education Act 1971.

Section 4(a) amends section 3(1) of the Regional Technical Colleges Act to specify the colleges to which the Bill applies, declaring that the Crawford College of Art and Design, the Cork School of Music and the National Maritime College of Ireland are schools of the Cork Institute of Technology. Those involved in art and design, which are such an important component of education, must be encouraged. As a society, taxpayers and Members of the Oireachtas, we must support those involved in this area of education. I pay tribute to the artists in our society who have made such a massive contribution to the nation and put Ireland on the map. A society that does not look after its artists is going nowhere. I say the same about the Cork School of Music and the National Maritime College of Ireland.

When dealing with these issues, we should consider the students. They must be given a voice and I urge the Minister to take on board the views of those students who want be directly involved in the governing bodies of these organisations. Students have a major contribution to make towards the development of education.

I welcome the debate on this Bill and commend those involved with it.

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