Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I, too, support Senator Ivana Bacik and the call for a debate on drugs, particularly biosimilars, relatively new drugs which would save the country tens of thousands, if not millions, of euro. As a new grandfather, I also support the call for the making available of the meningitis vaccine. At €300 a pop in a private capacity, it seems ridiculous that the State will not step.

Further to Senator Feargal Quinn's remarks, the Army do a great job in defending the State. Therefore, there is no need to worry in that regard.

I remind the House that the teachers' conferences start next week. We are in a particularly turbulent time with teachers and it may be opportune to call for a debate on the establishment of technological universities. It is the case that almost all of the institutes of technology have voted to take industrial action should the process continue, but for the life of me I cannot see why we have embarked on this route. The institutes of technology have a task to carry out in the regions. We already have seven excellent universities and do not need new universities, although there is probably a case for having one in the south east. I ask the Leader, at his convenience and after the Easter conferences, to arrange to bring the Minister for Education and Skills to the House for a debate on technological universities. I can see no way how the project can move forward without the co-operation of staff who have deep concerns, not least of which is the lack of consultation.