David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Reilly. I echo her points on the need for a full debate in the House on youth unemployment. We await the Leader's response to determine whether we will press the amendment.

I raise the issue mentioned by Senator Barrett, namely, an unpublished report on third and fourth level education that is still sitting on the Minister's desk. The report was commissioned by the Higher Education Authority, HEA, and conducted by a panel of experts, whatever Senator Barrett's comments. It is important that the report be published before it is decommissioned by so-called experts within the university sector. University politics will come into play in respect of many of the recommendations that the report might contain. I do not know the full detail of those recommendations, as the report has not been published, but the assertion in the media is that the report will be left sitting on a shelf.

As the Leader knows, the report recommends a national university with campuses in Waterford and Dublin. The south east has long campaigned for a university. We have jumped through every hoop and over every hurdle in making our unassailable case. Many of those in the south east and those with an interest in the other recommendations want to know the detail of the report. It needs to be published and the Houses need an opportunity to debate its recommendations properly. The issue of a university for the south east should not be lost in the larger battle on the future of the higher education sector. It is too important an issue for the people of the region. I hope that the Leader will encourage the Minister to publish the report and facilitate a debate in the Seanad in order that we might discuss the full detail of its recommendations.