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

We have to look at what is the most effective way to develop regional strength. I regard human resource and talent development as core to the development of any region, including the south east. Any fair assessment would advise against creating myriad new institutions that do not have a solid foundation and cannot make a solid offering. This is from where the technological universities approach came. It is about merging a number of institutions under one body that can give the strength, width and depth that modern regional development needs. We need to move more into applied research and need more level 9 and 10 qualifications, as well as a deeper engagement with the enterprise and public service sectors to develop genuine regional competitive advantage. This approach does not involve "one for everyone in the audience" but tries to create a model that can bring a region to a higher level. This is important from the point of view of regional development because we cannot plan to have a university in every one of our 26 counties. We have to build on resources that will be strong and resilient and will deliver the quality service we need in the regions. Technological universities require mergers and multi-campus locations.

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