Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for his reply. I welcome the positive thrust of what he said. If we are to take some cognisance of newspaper speculation and general observations being made in the political arena, it appears the possibility of a university in the south east, which we clearly welcome, is perhaps further down the road than the Minister is telling us today. He might elaborate on that.

I take the points he made about the Hunt report, the HEA and what might or might not happen in the process of consolidation. The Minister is familiar with Dundalk and the north east. DkIT is bound by the sea on one side and the Border on the other. Its future is important and its management are more than anxious to see a pathway set out for it. The Minister might elaborate on that.

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