Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is aware that in 2011, the agreement between Labour and Fine Gael contained a commitment to explore the establishment of a technical university of the south east. Arising from that commitment, we now have four consortia of institutes of technology seeking university status. The legislation to allow for that reached Committee Stage in January 2016. I know some time was spent ironing out an agreement with trade unions on this matter, which I welcome, but we have still not had publication of the Committee Stage amendments. If the legislation does not progress, those institutions will be further denied the prospect of achieving an objective we promised. When will we see progress on this legislation?

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