Could the Tánaiste enlighten the House as to the status of the Technological Universities Bill? There have been many complaints among the wider public that the Dáil has not passed much legislation. I believe it is a legitimate complaint. New politics is blamed.

However, in this case and many others, the root cause is a complete lack of engagement with other parties, in particular Fianna Fáil, on various Bills. I had engagement with the Minister for Education and Skills about a year ago and have asked for further engagement but there are many people in the higher education sector, such as DIT, which I visited with my party leader last week, who simply do not know what is going on and are left in limbo. The Dáil has shown itself to be willing to legislate if it can but in many instances, it depends on the Government to bring forward that legislation or, at the very least, to engage with us on what it expects to be in the legislation.

My question is on the same matter.

That is circumventing but I will give the Deputy 30 seconds unless Deputy McDonald wants to give him her slot.

No, it is the same issue. The last time I raised this issue was a number of weeks ago when the Minister was in the Chamber. He said there was some agreement with the TUI and that he hoped he could progress the Bill. He might be aware that since then, Waterford Institute of Technology has gone into a three-year cost recovery programme and there are ongoing negotiations with trade unions regarding the curtailment of hours for programmes and the closing of some campuses in the summer months. It is of real concern to the staff and students in the institutes of technology so could the Minister comment on that?

I call Deputy Brassil.

Tralee Institute of Technology is at a very advanced stage-----

On a point of order, there are many backbenchers-----

If it is a point of order-----

----- in this establishment who never get a chance to ask any questions.

That is not correct. The Deputy should not make any accusations or allegations.

The worst thing that can happen in this place is to be a Government backbencher.

Deputy Barrett has been Ceann Comhairle.

It is an absolute disgrace. Everybody else can speak-----

I remind Deputy Barrett that I am as entitled to speak in this Chamber as he is and I would appreciate some respect.

All I will say is that I have a good memory. Deputies Durkan and McLoughlin, who always get a fair share, will be in the hat if there is any time but we are wasting time now. It is not a point of order and Deputy Barrett should know that.

Deputy Barrett can bring it to the reform committee.

Tralee Institute of Technology and Cork Institute of Technology are at a very advanced stage of a merger that is waiting on the Technological Universities Bill.

I am sure Deputies Durkan and McLoughlin are well able to protect themselves.

The merger is now in jeopardy as a result of the stalling of this legislation and I ask that it be progressed and completed immediately.

I thank Deputy Brassil for raising this issue, which I have discussed on numerous occasions in the Dáil. This Bill was on Committee Stage in the House and is being restored to the Order Paper. Deputies will recall that in the last Dáil, very significant problems arose that led to it not being possible to complete that Bill. I regard this Bill as being very important in terms of providing a framework for regional educational development. I believe we need stronger regions with stronger institutions at regional level to drive economic and social development. We have sought to resolve the issues that prevented it from moving forward. Some of those were industrial relations issues. I indicated previously that we had discussions with the TUI. We have a set of proposals that are going to the TUI membership and, hopefully, that will remove one of the major obstacles lying in its way. If we can conclude that, we will move forward to bring that legislation back into the House. It is on Committee Stage but there is no pointing in coming into committee with proposals if they will be scuppered at the very first opportunity. I share the Deputy's anxiety to move this forward and will provide a briefing for Deputy Thomas Byrne and anyone else who wants one.