Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I believe Senator Ahearn also wants to be associated with these remarks. As much as I have great regard for all of my colleagues and for the points they have made, they will understand why I am resisting commenting on any specific application out of respect to the independence of the process.

I will just make two points. On a general point with respect to the University of Limerick, we do not often get to say these things on the record. The University of Limerick has been transformational for the mid west. There is just no doubt about that in respect of access to education, industrial development, social cohesion and economic development. In fact, when we establish new universities now around the country, I point to that transformational moment that UL was for the mid west as a template for other regions. I also want to say that in respect of the criteria, which will be assessed independently and externally, regional impact as well as national impact is a part of these criteria.

Finally, I agree with Senators Byrne and Conway in respect of the absolute importance of ensuring that young Irish people who want to study to become vets can to so in our own country and that we stop having to meet them at the airport on their way to other countries, as grateful as we are to those countries. We want to be able to train young people here and to increase the number of vets we have in this country. We also need to recognise the issue around large animals, where we need to have enough vets working in that area. I am happy to keep Senators updated as the matter progresses.