Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

I ask the Leader to arrange a debate at an early date on the issue of higher education. Senators may be aware of a proposal from the institutes of technology in the north west in particular to come together as a multi-campus university of technology. This proposal is not getting the kind of attention it requires from the Higher Education Authority and from the Government and should be debated here. In mentioning that it would be remiss of me not to mention a national project launched this morning by the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, which from a research point of view is being headed up by Sligo Institute of Technology. It is an EU-approved pilot electronic invoicing project, which over a period of time will lead to savings of €250 million per year. It will increase competitiveness for businesses and will increase efficiencies in the public service. In the context of a multi-campus university of technology, one can see from today's initiative just one example of the kinds of strides that can be made in applied research from the institute of technology sector throughout the country.

I thank the lead researcher, Edmund Gray, and lecturer, Pádraig Harte, of Sligo Institute of Technology, who, following the launch today, have taken the time to come and listen to us here in the House. They are very welcome.