Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators Dolan and Murphy. SOLAS has met the ETB and is working closely with it. SOLAS will then send a recommendation to my Department. I am saying clearly here on the floor Seanad Éireann that I am positively disposed towards this, as is my Department. I take the point Senator Dolan makes about the just transition area. That further adds to the compelling case of this project. I join Senator Murphy in acknowledging the leadership of David Leahy. I know he was in Leinster House recently. I am sorry I missed him but I want to praise the ETB for its leadership. We are talking about the Roscommon project today, and I am happy to do so, but as I said in my earlier answer, it is also expanding its provision in Galway. This is an ETB that is up for the challenge and is playing its part in helping Ireland to meet its national objectives. If we are serious about apprenticeships, and I am deadly serious, we need to make it as easy as possible for apprentices to take them up and as easy as possible for businesses to get involved. That means having local provision so that people do not have to travel long distances and employers can engage directly. I look forward to working with Senators Dolan and Murphy on this.