Elisha McCallion (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In relation to the expansion of the Ulster University Magee campus in Derry and the possibility of the Government working with the Executive in the North, I ask that the issue be placed on the agenda of the next North-South Ministerial Council. There is continuing engagement between Letterkenny Institute of Technology and the further and higher education establishments in the north west but I am sure the Minister of State will appreciate that what we need now is leadership to bring forward proposals for full expansion of the Magee campus. It will need a bespoke arrangement and help and assistance from the Irish Government, the Government in the North and perhaps the British Government. All the good work and endeavours of the north west further and higher education cross-Border cluster can only go so far. We have political agreement on the need to expand the university in Derry for the wider north west and we need political leadership from the Minister of State, the Executive in the North, the British Government and the two councils in Derry and Donegal. I ask that this matter be put on the agenda of the next meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council.