asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the grave disquiet in Limerick caused by his recent statement which implied that Limerick would not have a university; and if, in order to allay this disquiet, he will make a final statement in regard to the establishment of a university there.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick University.
45.
I do not accept that the implication suggested by the Deputy can validly be drawn from the statement in question which had reference only to existing university institutions. Accordingly, I do not feel that any further statement from me is called for at this juncture.
Is the Minister aware that, because of the diverse manner in which he has been speaking with regard to a university for Limerick, there is absolute chaos within the city area and will he now give us a definite "yes" or "no", indicate a period or say whether we will have a university at all? "Yes" or "no" is all we want.
I will just counsel patience, as far as Deputy Coughlan is concerned.
We have been listening for the past 13 years to prognostications from different Ministers for Education with regard to this want in the city of Limerick. Now let us have a decisive answer, "yes" or "no".
I will give a decisive answer, "yes" or "no", in my own good time as the Government decide. This will arise when the Government decide and when I decide it should arise. When the precise answer can be given, it will be given.
There is not much time left.
Let the people of Limerick know that the Minister has no intention of giving them a university.
The people of Limerick will know at the appropriate time the full story and who was responsible for the desirable developments.
Will it be before the general election?
The next general election is a long while away.
Is the university for Limerick further away than the general election?
Any patience that I would counsel to the Deputy in the House does not extend to the question of the next general election.
Can the Minister tell us what is meant by a "long while"?
Without in any way wishing to aggravate the situation further, I wish to point out that there is general disquiet in Limerick in this regard.
I appreciate that.
May I ask the Minister if we are right in thinking that no decision has yet been made by the Government in this matter?
The Deputy, the House, the country and Limerick city will be fully informed in due course about all details in regard to this proposal in Limerick.
But the Government have made no decision as yet?
I will not be pinned down here as to a decision, whether they have made it or not.
Will the Minister tell us what difficulties are in his way with regard to the erection of a university in Limerick so that we can tackle the problem with him and surmount it, as we will? Will the Minister be honest enough and tell us the troubles he has to face?