James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are also on the theme of constructive collaboration. I do not know if the Deputy was in the Chamber for my interaction with Deputy Fitzmaurice but I fully agree with both Deputies. I am very keen to see these courses proceed. The provision on high-end professional qualifications in areas such as veterinary science and pharmaceuticals will be a hallmark of the technological universities. I am a big supporter of both.

On the point regarding agriculture, I have visited both colleges. Since being appointed, I have been visiting as many as possible of the higher education institutions, stakeholders and facilities that are under my remit. I have visited both colleges and spoken to both management teams. The points the Deputy and Deputy Fitzmaurice have raised have very much been on the agenda. There has been slippage. The institutions have put their hands up and said that, because these are complex courses, a regulatory approval process must be undertaken and laboratory equipment and specialist facilities are required. It is not as easy as flicking a switch to turn it on, despite their best efforts. I will have to come back to the Deputy on the position regarding the pharmaceutical course but the working date for the veterinary course is September 2026. I will come back to the Deputy on the pharmaceutical course.

See this speech in context