Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am unhappy at one level to hear the Taoiseach state he recognises the imbalance but I am happy at another because it is there and glaring.

The Taoiseach mentioned the technological university. By the end of the year Sligo, Letterkenny and GMIT will make their application. Two of the colleges are ready to go but there is an issue about the third. It is allowed that two out of the three would go forward and the third could join when it is ready. I want a commitment that this can happen because when I read the programme for Government, I see the south-east technological university mentioned, not once but twice. I see the Magee campus in Derry mentioned, but I see nothing about Connacht-Ulster. I have real concerns around that. I want to know that once they reach the criteria, they can go ahead.

I heard what the Taoiseach said about the different programmes. They are all important but we need investment in our services, we need incentives and we need a 40-bed unit in our hospital. The Taoiseach mentioned the €1 billion for rural investment but we need significant real investment in those areas where we can play to our strengths. It has not happened. I want to hear a commitment from the Taoiseach that it will happen and, specifically, over the next number of months, how it will happen.

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