Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The construction of a bridge at Narrow Water would not have happened 20 or even ten years ago. The allocation of such a significant sum for this purpose by the Northern Ireland Government is very welcome. I congratulate everybody who helped to bring the project to fruition, especially Senator Terry Brennan.

In response to the point raised by Senator Diarmuid Wilson, I have always found the Passport Office to be very receptive, particularly where an individual has had a death in the family. The staff are very accommodating in such circumstances, not just in response to requests made by Oireachtas Members.

Will the Leader arrange a debate on third level education, including the proposals announced today for the linking of a number of colleges? We should take the opportunity to have our say in this regard before a final decision is made. The other day I expressed my concern at the increasing tendency on the part of institutes of technology to neglect manufacturing and technology in favour of more academic disciplines. We must have a combination of both. The proposal to link a number of colleges is worthy of debate in this House and I hope it will be accommodated in the coming weeks.