The Minister is aware that in 2011, the agreement between the Labour Party and Fine Gael contained a commitment to explore the establishment of a technical university of the south east. Arising from that commitment, we now have four consortia of institutes of technology seeking university status. The legislation to allow for that reached Committee Stage in January 2016. I know some time was spent ironing out an agreement with trade unions on this matter, which I welcome, but we have still not had publication of the Committee Stage amendments. If the legislation does not progress, those institutions will be further denied the prospect of achieving an objective we promised. When will we see progress on this legislation?

The Deputy will see it very soon as it is nearly finished. The drafter has worked on it and it has come back to the Department. The Department will this Friday send it back to the drafter.

Will we see it next week?

I hope to bring it to Committee Stage and have it through, please God, before Christmas.

The Government would want to speak to us. We have heard nothing about that.