I thank both Deputies for raising this very important issue. I am glad to have the opportunity to address the House on the matter. I am aware of the media reports being referred to by the Deputies. I am extremely concerned about the issue itself and about the wider issue it spotlights, that of women’s safety on university campuses. This is a matter of critical importance. As I said, I am glad to have the opportunity to address this issue and take this Topical Issue here today. In Government, I have worked to advanc…

I thank Deputy Farrell for acknowledging the work that is ongoing. This is a cross-party issue; I do not believe it is a political issue at all. I appreciate her approach to this and I share and reciprocate that. There are several plans in place, which we have spoken about. Some of those are due to expire in the next year or two but they are typically incremental and we continue to grow and implement them. Insofar as I can while respecting their autonomy, I have made very clear my expectations of the institutions. …

Used to be a serious party.

It is your friends' fault.

Leader's Questions.

It is good to see the Acting Chair, Senator Rabbitte, back in office. This is the first opportunity I have had to engage with Senator Lynch. I congratulate her on her election. I look forward to working with her and other Members of the Upper House on many matters, particularly those relating to my brief. I thank Senator Lynch for raising this important issue. As I know she is very aware, Youthreach is a vital programme designed to support young people who have left school early. Senator Lynch gave some statistics …

I thank the Senator for the invite. I may well take her up on that at some stage when I am next in the area. I visited Cork ETB last Friday and discussed a range of areas, including plans at Carrigaline and other places where it has ambition. I share and support its ambitions, no less so in Macroom. There are some steps to go through as regards the proposed site, namely, value for money, assessment of needs, climate targets, modernisation, suitability and all the other criteria I would expect my officials to apply …

You want the veto.

You used to, in the past.

It is called political debate.

The list of the companies was in English, was it not?

The REITs were in English.

This is my first opportunity to address the House since my appointment to this very important brief. It is an honour to hold it and I look forward to working on the sector with the Deputies opposite and all Deputies of the House. I acknowledge that Deputy Boyd Barrett has an interest in the area of higher education, innovation and research, the pursuit of curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge. We have debated these topics in the past and I look forward to continuing that engagement on this very important topic. I …

I absolutely share the Deputies' frustration. Deputy Coppinger called for me to make a statement but I have made statements, as she will see if she listens back to what I have said and looks at the Official Report. I have shared the Deputies' concerns-----

-----and expressed serious concerns for the position of the staff and students. I am not happy about what is obtaining; let us be clear about that. There are limits, and the Deputies are well acquainted and familiar with the industrial relations machinery and how these disputes work. When a private entity is in a dispute with staff, there are very few levers a Minister can deploy. Deputy Coppinger suggested a couple, such as the State possibly taking over the college, which, with respect, is a bit extreme and perha…

The realistic powers that may be available to any Minister to intervene in an industrial relations dispute involving a private company are limited, but that is exactly what the industrial relations machinery of the State is there for. Having said that, I had a look at the BIMM website and went through some documentation that is publicly available, and there is something the college calls a terms and conditions sheet, which is a sort of a contract with students, within which it cites its obligations to students, inc…

There will be statements on the issue later today.

There is no slashing of funds.

That is not in the programme at all.

I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. I acknowledge his continued advocacy for north Wexford, in particular, and not just concerning coastal issues, although these are very much at the forefront of this debate, but also for the region, the constituency and the people and communities there. As the Senator did, I also acknowledge Councillor Pip Breen, who has corresponded with me on this matter as well. I know it is something close to his heart as well. As the Senator said, I do know the area well bec…