Brendan Kenneally (Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator White for sharing time.

The upgrading of Waterford Institute of Technology's designation to that of university is an important issue for Waterford and the entire south east, which is being fought at regional rather than county level. One of the weaknesses of the region in the past was its failure at times to pull together. While Waterford has the largest population in the south east, counties Kilkenny, Wexford and Carlow also have significant regional towns. Clonmel and Carlow, for example, are experiencing rapid development. Traditional rivalries have been set aside and the entire region and public representatives from across the political divide have united in support of Waterford Institute of Technology's case.

Prior to becoming mayor of Waterford and joining the board of governors of University College Cork for a year, I believed one could build a university on a green field site. I quickly learned from educators and the eminent members of the board that universities are built on reputation rather than bricks and mortar. Waterford Institute of Technology, as any educator in Ireland will testify, has enjoyed an excellent reputation for many years.