Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for the introduction earlier, although I am a bit bemused that I have earned the title, apparently, of the most successful at creating photo opportunities. I think many colleagues all over the House will be disturbed that that accolade has been passed on to me. I assure the Deputy that anybody in the Government ranks who knows me knows I am all about delivery, not photo opportunities or process. I am a very impatient politician when it comes to moving from concept to reality and to getting things done.

As for South East Technological University, we now have five such institutions established, four, I think, during the term of this Government. That is putting concept into reality. We have been very active, particularly in respect of South East Technological University, which has been a long-running story but is so important to the economic, social and academic development of the south east more generally. The campus in Wexford is well in hand. I think Deputy Murphy and the Minister, Deputy Harris, know that. I will sound one general note of warning. All of us, politically, should be careful about chasing particular sites or land - I am not saying Deputy Murphy is doing so - because all that does is raise land values generally. The State should go in low-key when it wants to acquire land for education, health or whatever other purpose.

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