Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. As already stated, however, as recently as 24 November last the Minister for Education and Science indicated in the Dáil that the report would be published early in the new year. The Minister of State has just said that it will not be published until the summer. As in the case of the crisis the country currently faces, clarity and certainty are required, especially if those in the higher education sector are to make plans for the next 20 years.

By the time the report is published, some 18 months will have passed. In the context of responding to the situation that obtains, it is not acceptable that this amount of time has been allowed to pass. I cannot overemphasise the fact that early publication is essential. I am sure that, like me, the authorities at Waterford Institute of Technology are in the dark with regard to the Port report which was commissioned to investigate the possibility of upgrading the institute to university status. The Port report will be superseded by the report of the strategy group which is not now due to appear until the summer.

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to take this matter. I look forward to the eventual publication of the strategy group's report.