John McGahon (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for that. That is exactly the kind of clear sense and thinking I was hoping to get from this debate. I very much appreciate it.

It is important that the Minister has outlined the concept of a stand-alone university. It is not legally possible, nor is it even part of the strategic vision of the people involved in DkIT. It is clear, in black and white, that they want to be part of a technological university. The Minister mentioned Dr. Ruaidhrí Neavyn, the expert adviser. It is important that we are already assisting in the transition towards a technological university. In this whole debate, I took heart most from the Minister's clear commitment that once an application comes straight from DkIT to his ministerial desk, he will be ready and willing to approve it and start the process officially. I very much look forward to welcoming him to DkIT in the near future.