Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am committed to the GMIT campus in Castlebar. Under this plan for a technological university for the north west, Castlebar will become a university town and that is a massive prize for the people of Castlebar and County Mayo. It will be important for regional growth and development, and perhaps also for keeping young people in the regions.

The Government has given a commitment, under New Decade, New Approach, to the Magee campus, as has the British Government. Being honest, we now need concrete proposals as to what that will look like. I have had some engagements with Magee, Ulster University, the British ambassador and the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Those engagements are continuing and as soon as the Covid-19 scenario allows, I look forward to visiting the North and the north west and talking about those synergies.

We have seen how it can work in so many areas. It needs to work in higher education too.

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