“‘WIT has been stymied mercilessly by the Higher Education Authority and the Department of Education.’ In October 1985, I met the late Padraig Ó Gríofa, Waterford Chamber President Tom Bradfield and Ollie Cleary coming down the steps of the Tower Hotel after the launch of the Bannon Report on a Tech University for Waterford …” (more)
[Waterford News and Star, 9 November]
“John Cummins (Fine Gael):Yesterday marked a very significant milestone in a journey which has had more twists than a murder mystery novel. Thankfully, that chapter has come to a conclusion and a new chapter has begun with yesterday’s announcement that a technical university for the south east will be established by 1 May and that all final year students currently attending Waterford Institute of Technology, WIT, and IT Carlow will graduate with a university degree …” (more)
[Seanad debates, 3 November]
“Following ballots of members of the WIT and Carlow IT branches this week, the Memorandum of Understanding between TUI and WIT management and IT Carlow management in relation to the Technological University of the South East Ireland (TUSEI) has been accepted. The results of the ballot were as follows: 79% voted in favour of the memorandum in WIT branch; 90% voted in favour of the memorandum in Carlow IT branch …” (more)
[Darren Skelton, Waterford News and Star, 27 May]
“John Cummins (Fine Gael): I welcome the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to the House and thank him for taking this Commencement matter in person. I wish to acknowledge the interest and determination of the Minister in ensuring that Waterford and the south-east region finally achieve the long-held ambition to have a university of international standing …” (more)
[Seanad debates, 8 February]
“The Minister for Higher Education has described recent speculation over the headquarters of the new technological university for the South East as ‘divisive and counterproductive’. Responding to questions from Senator John Cummins in the Seanad, Simon Harris said the government was committed to expanding Higher Education in Waterford …” (more)
[Julie Smyth, WLR FM, 8 February]
“According to Fine Gael Senator John Cummins, work is set to begin shortly on a Mass Vaccination Centre at WIT Arena in Carriganore, despite worries – brought on by Fine Gael themselves – that Waterford and the entire South and South East was going to be overlooked …” (more)
[Darren Skelton, Waterford News and Star, 29 January]
“… Even as I write, the background chorus of nervousness about the future of WIT is gaining ground. Government Oireachtas members, Butler, O’Cathasaigh and Cummins tell us that we must accept the ‘only game in town’ and that WIT and Carlow IT must merge to form the TUSE and get the word ‘university’ over the door in some form in Waterford? Even Sinn Fein’s David Cullinane is at it …” (more)
[Waterford News and Star, 8 December]
