asked the Minister for Education what plans he has in mind for the provision of a university at Sligo to cater for the needs of the residents of the north west.

One of the functions of the recently-established Higher Education Authority will be to maintain a continual review of the country's needs in higher education and to make recommendations to me in the matter. I have no doubt but that the requirements of the north west of the country in this regard will be fully considered by the Authority.