John O'Mahony (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I refer to the issue of the GMIT Castlebar campus, which Senator Walsh raised a few moments ago, and the lack of action on the part of the Minister. It is important that there is a little balance in this debate. The Leader might ask the Minister, Deputy Bruton, to come to the House to explain the progress on the working group he has set up regarding the GMIT Castlebar campus. He has already visited the campus, and my understanding is that the working group is up and running and that it held a meeting yesterday with the staff and students of the GMIT Castlebar campus. It is important we find solutions and not use the matter as a populist political football. GMIT has a long and distinguished history in Castlebar, and the Minister has given assurances that there is no threat to it. We should certainly get an update on it but we should not kick it around the place for the sake of populist politics.