“The proposals to merge the three Dublin-based Institutes of Technology (DIT) and close the Tipperary Institute (TI) have been condemned by teachers and by Independent TD Michael Lowry, who supports the Government. Teachers Union of Ireland deputy general secretary Annette Dolan said it would ‘truly be a case of destroying the economic engine for a few drops of oil’. The recommendations, if implemented, ‘would sound a death knell for overseas investment in Ireland,’ she said. ‘These cuts would devastate third-level education and send out a message that we as a nation do not value education’ …” (more)
[Marie O’Halloran and Tom Ryan, Irish Times, 18 July]