John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

Can the Deputy Leader say if the Leader was able to persuade the Minister for Agriculture and Food to attend for an hour on Friday for a discussion on the beet industry and on wider agricultural issues? The Leader also stated yesterday that she would ask the Minister for Health and Children to come before the House to discuss risk equalisation. Can the Deputy Leader inform the House if she was successful in that?

An economic development report by the chambers of commerce in the South East was launched by the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, in Kilkenny last Friday. The report provides a projection for the region in 15 years time, in 2020. It makes six key recommendations. The Minister was particularly unequivocal on the need for a university for the south east region, and I fully agree with him. Unemployment figures for the south east are worse than for virtually any other part of the country and some of the worst blackspots are in the region, particularly in County Wexford. The figures for third level participation are also the worst in Ireland. The case for a university is very strong and I urge the Government to promote a debate that would ensure a university for the south east becomes a priority in the near future.