David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I share Senator David Norris’s concerns about how the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill was rushed and railroaded through the Dáil. It might be helpful if the Leader clarified how exactly the Bill will proceed through this House. I understand that while all Stages will be taken today, there will be a break between Stages and that we will be able to deal with all of the amendments and sit for as long as we need to finish the Bill. If that is the case, I support the Order of Business. I seek clarification from the Leader on that issue.

I warmly welcome the decision made by the Cabinet to establish technological universities, including one in the south east. It will be welcomed broadly across the five counties of the south east and also by Carlow and Waterford institutes of technology. For many years there has been a campaign for a university in the south east. The focus has often been on geography and critical mass which are obviously important, but a technological university based on innovation and research and development is exactly what the south east needs. I pay tribute to all those who work in Waterford Institute of Technology, especially those who work in the Telecommunications Software & Systems Group and ArcLabs. Fantastic, extraordinary research and development are being carried out in Waterford Institute of Technology. There have been many spin-off opportunities for job creation in the private sector. There was a job announcement in respect of the FeedHenry platform recently. The Leader and I were at a Telecommunications Software & Systems Group event recently where we saw at first hand the extraordinary research and development work carried out. In the context of the Cabinet having made its decision, it is important that we have a debate on the issue and that the Minister explain to us what exactly will be the role of the technological universities. What process will be involved in making them a reality for the three regions identified? I ask the Leader to arrange the debate as soon as possible.