Technological universities legislation
Thomas Byrne says legislation for technological universities has stalled despite his party’s offer to facilitate it. The Taoiseach says amendments are being worked on and that the Government wants the legislation through.
Recently, the Taoiseach published a document in a newspaper in which he outlined his vision for Ireland. I was searching through it for his vision for education but it was extremely limited. Blink and you will miss it. One thing the Taoiseach did commit to was technological universities and he suggested they would be coming as a matter or urgency. The Taoiseach will recall that this party offered to facilitate the passage of the legislation before the summer break. That offer still stands but we have had no contact from the Department of Education and Skills since it was made. We are wondering what is happening. We will get the substance of this legislation passed provided we are satisfied with it. With the Government, it is all style and announcements over substance. There is no substance to this promise, which was made some time ago.
Comment on this
I appreciate the Deputy's commitment and that of his party to getting this legislation through. We also want to get it through. I am very keen to see universities of technology - or technological universities - becoming a reality. Amendments are being worked on at present. They follow on from a number of issues, including an agreement with the Teachers Union of Ireland. I assure the Deputy that those amendments are both substantive and substantial. If it was just a matter of style, it would have been done by now.