Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for reading her press release. It is unfortunate she did not take the opportunity to expand upon it. I find it disappointing that the Minister has had the report for about eight or nine months but it was only released just before Question Time today.

I can only describe the report as a political manoeuvre to get over the 2007 election. I can only assume she has an open mind about this application but the perception is that she does not have an open mind on this issue. I was speaking to my friends on the Fianna Fáil backbenches about the little one-to-one she had with Deputy Cullen and it is said she is not in favour of Waterford Institute of Technology being upgraded to a regional university.

She must consider the regional aspects. We have the highest rate of unemployment in the country, the lowest number of students attending third level courses and the lowest number of graduates returning to the region, the lowest level of disposable income and the lowest rate of gross valued-added product. The Minister cannot ignore these issues.

The aspect of the report which is of the greatest concern is its terms of reference. The two main terms of reference——

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