Vol. 421 No. 6
40 Mr. Kavanagh asked the Minister for Education if he will list all the meetings held over the past 18 months by either (a) himself (b) the Secretary of his Department or (c) senior officials of his Department with the various groups lobbying in relation to the Regional Colleges Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Extensive and detailed meetings and consultations took place with all of the appropriate interests in relation to the Regional Technical Colleges Bill. A comprehensive list of such meetings was not maintained since they included extensive and ongoing interaction with these interests with a view to improving the text of the Bill.
I can assure the Deputy that all of the relevant interests who sought meetings with me, or the two previous Ministers concerned or the Secretary or senior officials of my Department were met on a variety of occasions and the views which they expressed taken into account.
These meetings led to the wide variety of amendments which were introduced or are proposed for the Regional Technical Colleges Bill.
