Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator Power has steered this legislation through the House on behalf of the Opposition. She has raised issues of fundamental concern. I am glad there is no guillotine on this Bill, because we have seen the ill effects of guillotines on legislation in the other House. However, the Bill should not be completed today. The Minister needs to give further thought to it. Senator Power has raised the most serious issues in respect of the Bill. These are serious issues of equity and fairness in terms of the south-eastern part of the country and other areas looking for university status when certain colleges are entitled to get that through Government action. I think there is an inherent unfairness there. The Minister should pause for thought, listen to what Senator Power has been saying about this legislation and let the people of Waterford and other regions know why one institution is being treated in a different way compared to the institution that, as Senator Power said-----