The Technological Universities Bill, which was before the last Dáil and which is a critical piece of legislation in regard to the future of the institutes of technology, has been languishing for over 12 months now, with absolutely no progress in terms of bringing it to this House and having it passed. I said to the Taoiseach when we met some weeks ago that this is legislation we are prepared to engage on and compromise on, with a view to getting it through before the summer recess. It is my view that if we do not move on this, then paralysis will set in with regard to the ongoing development of the technological universities sector, which is so critical to economic development in this country and to the future of the institutes concerned. Will the Taoiseach indicate to the House when we are likely to see that legislation brought forward and the prospects of having it delivered through the summer? Everybody has been criticising the absence of legislation. The Government has not been active enough in bringing forward legislation over the last 12 months.

I ask the Minister for Education and Skills to respond.

I thank Deputy Martin for raising this issue. There has been substantial progress. As the Deputy knows, we negotiated with the TUI, which was the obstacle to this. That has now been approved by ballot by the TUI and, on foot of that, we will be bringing forward amendments and I will be going to Government for permission to draft those amendments within the next couple of weeks. Obviously, as to whether I can meet a deadline of bringing forward those drafted before the summer recess, that is something I would like to do but there are always uncertainties in a drafting process. I can assure the Deputy this is getting very urgent and immediate attention. I understand why the Deputy is raising it, given it is urgent. It is an issue we want to move on but-----

Deputy Thomas Byrne has received completely contrary information.