Vol. 522 No. 2
454 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to put Tipperary Business and Rural Development Institute, County Tipperary which is fully State funded, on a statutory footing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18077/00]
A Government decision of 26 July 1995 authorised my Department to proceed with the establishment of Tipperary Rural and Business Development Institute, TRBDI, including its establishment as a company limited by guarantee. The institute was incorporated under the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1990, on 26 March 1998. The institute is now functioning with a board of directors in accordance with the memorandum and articles of association.
I consider it desirable that the institute be established on a statutory basis in common with other third level institutions. However, having regard to the Government's already heavy legislative programme it is not possible at present to give priority, in terms of resources or parliamentary time, to what would be a substantial piece of legislation.
