David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Last week there were a number of calls in the House for a debate on technological universities, not only in the south east but across the State. I support this fundamental change to the provision of university education in the State and on the island. The merger of institutions and applications in that regard, some of which are on shaky ground, highlights the need for a general debate on the issue. As the Minister for Education and Skills knows, one of the partners in the south east has withdrawn completely from the process. An individual has been tasked to lead a review and hold consultations, but in reality this is a simple issue. I will talk briefly about the situation in the south east as it is very simple. Either the collectively merged institutes can meet the criteria or they cannot. An independent body is required to set out for the people of the south east how and when the merged institutes will meet each of the criteria. This will give them confidence that it can be done. Senior people at Waterford Institute of Technology tell me the criteria cannot be met, but I cannot verify this as I can only take people at face value. Honesty is required from all interested parties, including the Department, the Higher Education Authority and the institutes involved. I enthusiastically support the idea of having a multi-campus university but not at any cost. The failures of the system and the importance of the changes to third and fourth level education mean that a debate on the issue in this House would be constructive. Does the Leader agree? Having a broad debate would give us a greater opportunity to ventilate issues than a narrow Adjournment motion. As Government Senators called for a debate on this issue last week, it would be both constructive and worthwhile to have one. I, therefore, ask that the matter be examined in the coming weeks.