Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

One of our most progressive third level colleges, Waterford Institute of Technology, currently has an application with the Minister for Education and Science for elevation to university status. More than a year ago, the same Minister commissioned an independent assessment of that application, which was carried out by Dr. Jim Port. We have waited almost eight months for that report to be published. It has been discussed by many Senators from both sides of the House and I have tabled an Adjournment matter on the issue. Now that the report has been published, I do not know what all the secrecy was about or why we had to wait for eight months. The Minister for Education and Science should attend the House to discuss this critical report which says that no clear Government policy or criteria have been set down to deal with such applications. That is a damning indictment for any progressive college that wants to obtain university status. The independent report acknowledges that the application has great merit and should be judged accordingly, so I look forward to hearing the Minister's view if the Leader can arrange for her to attend the House for such a debate.

Cancer is a major killer that affects many families throughout this society. In the south-east region, and specifically in Waterford city and county, we still do not have a BreastCheck facility. Prior to the previous general election, the Taoiseach promised that service would be available in October 2007, yet we still do not have the BreastCheck facility and no date has been set for its introduction. This is another indictment of the Government which has failed people in this regard. Valuable time has been lost while we await such a service in the south east. I appeal to the Leader to ask the Minister for Health and Children to act on this matter. Only a few months ago, she said we would have the BreastCheck service, yet we still do not have it, which is a shame on the Government. The matter should be dealt with as urgently as possible.