Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her reply. This is an issue of concern to staff. Everyone needs to be brought on board with regard to mergers. I respectfully ask the Minister as a matter of urgency to meet the TUI who represent the staff at both institutes and to hear their concerns. Nobody wants this matter to go to industrial relations. There needs to be face-to-face meetings. I have asked the Minister to meet the Higher Education Authority and the trade union in an effort to resolve the issue. The governing bodies of both institutes should meet the unions. The staff have no confidence in the process to date. Where there is such a level of disengagement or lack of faith in the process, then the issue is heading into very difficult waters.

I ask the Minister if she will meet the TUI to discuss the issues relating to the policy and the merger. I ask her to ensure that the Higher Education Authority meets with the TUI to discuss the issues and to ensure that the governing bodies of both institutes meet the TUI to thrash out the issues of concern.

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