Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Ormonde wants a debate on the Lisbon Agenda, particularly on how the money will be allocated by the Higher Education Authority, which has undertaken to fund all third level institutions, including the institutes of technology, particularly in respect of benchmarking

Senator Norris mentioned Louise O'Keeffe from Cork. Ms O'Keeffe has contacted me several times, as no doubt she has contacted other Senators. When I called the Taoiseach's office his adviser told me that Ms O'Keeffe wanted to persuade the Minister for Education and Science, and the State Claims Agency to waive their rights to collect these costs. I understand that neither the Department nor the State Claims Agency will move to collect their costs to date.