Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We know what the map of Ireland looks like. Every single application that has come to me for a technological university has now been delivered on, but we have had challenges. We do not need a history lesson on how we get over that DkIT issue and how we deliver a university of scale for the north east and all the good opportunities that will come from that.

I need to say at the outset that DkIT is an autonomous higher education institution. Of course, that means the strategic direction of the institution is rightly a question for its governing body. This includes how it wishes to position itself in the higher education landscape. I know from my own recent discussions, and indeed a meeting I had with the newly appointed president of the institution, Dr. Diarmuid O’Callaghan, whom I congratulate on his appointment, that he has been holding a series of exploratory discussions with a number of higher education institutions, including Maynooth University. He has been very proactive in advancing discussions. Some of them are at quite an exciting moment. In the latter case, in relation to Maynooth University, both presidents have now informed their respective staff that these contacts are under way.

I need to take a step back and say that I understand that these interactions and discussions are in their early stages. If any substantive developments potentially come into view over time, they would be required to be put to staff, students and relevant stakeholders. As such, I am satisfied that we now need to allow the new president, Dr. O’Callaghan the room - a bit of room but not too long - to flesh out all the discussions to the fullest extent possible. I stand fully ready to support the institute in continuing its own strategic inclusions in due course.

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