Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Howlin for raising the issue. He is correct, this is very important legislation because it traces a future for the institutes of technology to form more effective technological universities that would drive regional performance. It is not that we have been idle. It is not just a matter of legislation and bringing in a set of amendments to the committee, it is a case of making sure that we have all of the institutions committed to the path and we are working on that. There have also been issues concerning industrial relations which we need to resolve. It is not simply a matter of coming into the Dáil with a set of amendments. We want to make sure that when we do so we have the required level of commitment and a clear signposted path ahead for the various institutions.

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