Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First of all, the two institutions have been very important in this regard. I have worked to try to drive employment creation in the region. It is gratifying to see that in the last three years 24,000 extra people are at work in the south east.

I have also worked with both colleges in supporting new enterprises - one in China with Carlow Institute of Technology, and several from Waterford Institute of Technology.They offer great technology and great support to enterprise.

Ultimately, a marriage is about the meeting of two sides and about people having a degree of consensus and understanding that their relationship is a working one. I have just been going through Mr. Michael Kelly's report and he has set out that this can be delivered within three years. As a result, there is an ambition or a roadmap, as the Senator described it, in place. Mr. Kelly is highly committed and he made a huge effort to bring this together but this process must go through a systematic route and it has to be something that endures and adds value in the region. To be fair, in the context of the work that has been done by all players, a route has emerged but moving forward will require everyone working together. One thing I have discovered from working in respect of the south east is that bringing people together is an important part of lifting a region. This is one of the areas in which - just as we did elsewhere - we seek to work to build new collaborations. I am optimistic for the south east and this is an important element but it must be done right and on a sustainable basis, which the Senator recognises. I will convey his concern to the Minister but people are putting in a significant effort to make this work.