The Taoiseach says no decision has been made on the headquarters of the new university in the South East.
Michael Martin was responding to questions in the Dáil from Matt Shanahan.
The Independent TD says the technological university process appears to have turned negative, with outside political influence wishing to see WIT's leadership credentials dismantled.
"The Taoiseach, the Government and the line Minister have taken the decision that despite being the institute of excellence in the region, WIT should not be confirmed to retain the headquarters and governance of the proposed new merger structure from the outset. It appears that proven leadership, performance and vision are to be hostages to political patronage, a recipe to deliver the educational equivalent of a half-bred camel rather than the promised thoroughbred racehorse."
Michael Martin says the Deputy's comments are unfair:
"No decision has been made on the headquarters for the new university. I have had this discussion previously. The most important aspect of this is the critical mass of the technological institute itself. As I said, the Government is committed to expanding the footprint of the existing institute in Waterford and that will happen. All Deputies have been consistent and constructive in pursuing this objective, which is an important objective which we should not undermine in any way because that would be to the detriment of Waterford."
The Taoiseach has said WIT is on the cusp of becoming a technological university with Carlow IT and that there is no need to create division.
"There is no necessity to create division here, given that we are on the cusp of WIT becoming a technological university with Carlow IT. That is for the benefit of everybody in the South East but particularly the people of Waterford. It would be wrong now to create division around this.
"As someone who has been involved in education for most of my life, both politically and otherwise, I know that what goes on in the campus is the key. That is the central issue here. The Deputy has raised the matter of the headquarters. That is an issue but it is not the core of a university. Waterford Institute of Technology has grown significantly in the last decade and more and will continue to grow but we need to move the language to one of self-confidence and asserting strengths. That will continue to be the case and the Government is committed to expanding its physical footprint into the future. That brings obvious realities with it in terms of more students and staff but, critically, there will also be a greater impact in research and other areas.
A decision on where the headquarters will be located will be made next year at the earliest, after the TU is formed, the government has said.
