Vol. 494 No. 3
64 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, there are for the development of a joint project in Ringaskiddy between the Naval Service and Cork Institute of Technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17924/98]
123 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, there are for the development of a joint project in Ringaskiddy between the Naval Service and Cork Institute of Technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17925/98]
165 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, there are for the development of a joint project in Ringaskiddy between the Naval Service and Cork Institute of Technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18114/98]
I propose taking Questions Nos. 64, 123 and 165 together.
The Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) commissioned a study by consultants, Deloitte & Touche some time ago concerning the possible establishment of a joint Naval Service/CIT national maritime college to be located on a site owned by my Department adjacent to the Naval Base in Haulbowline. The question of the provision of such a college is a matter for the Department of Education and Science in the first instance. This proposal has most recently been considered along with a range of other issues by the Ministerial Task Force on Seafarer Training and Employment which was established in February of this year by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources. The task force, which includes a representative from the Department of Education and Science, has submitted an interim report and is due to submit a final report shortly. My Department will consider whatever recommendations emerge from the work of the task force in so far as they might relate to the establishment of a national maritime college as proposed.
