Susan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

There are a number of questions we ought to ask about how we want technological universities to be and even whether we want them. If we do, should they be markedly different from existing universities, and if so, how we make them different? We have a new Minister, and we agree there is probably a need for such universities. I live in Sligo and Sligo IT would like to be a lead partner in such a technological university. Questions must be answered as to how that might happen and whether the relationship between technological universities and industry is something we should develop more and allow universities as they are currently constituted to be places of research. We must examine how we can make the relationship work. I would welcome a debate on the matter.

If the Minister were to come to the House I would also like to raise a matter raised by other speakers, namely, the graduate medical programme and the difficulties facing graduates who now find the terms on which they got loans have changed and that they will be burdened with enormous loans they will struggle to pay. We will ultimately be the losers as young doctors will leave the country. That seems to me to be a terrible waste of good talent but also a very great difficulty for those people who would love to stay in Ireland and bring their expertise and education to bear on people in this country. One could ask why on earth would we contribute to something that makes it clear for them that they should not stay.

I appreciate they are separate issues but perhaps they could be addressed if the Minister is invited to the House. I am sure other Members might have other matters that might form part of the debate with the Minister.