I ask the Taoiseach about an issue I raised previously regarding the technological universities Bill. It has recently been highlighted that difficulties have arisen in the south east with the promotion of a technological university involving Carlow Institute of Technology and Waterford Institute of Technology. The programme for Government proposed a technological university for the region. Is a proposal in place to get discussions back on track in order to achieve the targets set out in the programme for Government?

Shortly after it was elected, the Government made the decision to support the concept of a technological university for the south east, taking into account the merger of Waterford Institute of Technology, Carlow Institute of Technology and other ancillary facilities. That is the intention of Government and that was its decision. For a variety of reasons, there was a recent break-up in the proposed merger. The Minister for Education and Skills met both parties and has now appointed an independent mediator, Mr. Kelly, who has been given ten weeks to come back with a proposition for getting the talks back on track in order that the Government's decision can be implemented. We want to get the matter back on track and ascertain whether the mediator can bring this about.