I have asked before about the technological universities Bill. The provision of a technological university for the south east is crucial to the area because of the unemployment rate there over recent years. The Taoiseach is aware that negotiations broke down prior to Christmas and an independent facilitator, Mr. Michael Kelly, was put in place. When is he expected to report back to the Government on his deliberations involving the Waterford and Carlow institutes? Is the Taoiseach expecting a positive outcome?

The Bill is due this session so I expect the report will go to the Minister for Education and Skills shortly. I understand that despite the initial hiccups, there has been some progress. I hope the matter can be concluded. It was an important priority for the Government, following the demise of a plant in Waterford some years ago, that there would be a technological university in the south east. The standards are very high and the criteria are difficult to meet, but it is a very important issue for the next generation of young people.