Minister dampens optimism over Wexford SETU campus – ‘I'm not aware that there's money ready to go for this'
A legal challenge taken by the principal landowner against Wexford County Council's compulsory purchase of lands at Ballynagee – stretching from Whiterock to Killeens – was rejected at the High Court, clearing the way for the local authority to move forward with the purchase and plans for the establishment of a new South East Technological University (SETU) campus.
However, in a questionable performance on South East Radio's Morning Mix with Alan Corcoran on Thursday morning, Minister Lawless rowed back on previous assurances given by predecessor, Tánaiste Simon Harris, regarding funding for the campus and stated that it was still a long way off becoming a reality.
Initially the Minister seemed poorly briefed on the cause of the latest delay and the outcome of the latest court proceedings.
'It's good news that it was refused in court,' he said. ' A judicial review was taken. It's one challenge with building infrastructure like this, there's always someone can object. That is there right, but it's not their right to hold up society for a number of years. The process is too slow. We're trying to address that with the Planning Act. I'm not making a comment on this particular case in saying that, however.'
In this instance, of course, it was not an objection but a challenge to a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) taken by landowner Mr Scott Mernagh. Additionally, the purchase had not been subject to a full judicial review. Mr Mernagh's application to take this action was refused by the High Court.
The Minister then stated that 'the ball is back with Wexford County Council' who he imagines will move 'full steam ahead' with the CPO. He also spoke of a need for 're-engagement' between SETU and the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
However, the most worrying aspect of Minister Lawless' interview came when the subject of funding was broached. On several occasions, Tánaiste Simon Harris gave assurances that money would be in place for the construction of a 'state-of-the-art college campus' as soon as the acquisition of the site was completed.
'The state is not in the habit of purchasing assets to leave them lying idle,' he said at the time.
However, having taken over the role of Minister for Higher and Further Education from Patrick O'Donovan in January, Minister Lawless was not quite so definite.
'I don't promise money,' he said. 'My own approach has always been 'steady as she goes' .
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'If the right proposal comes in, I'd be hopeful that the funding will be there, but I think we're putting the cart before the horse to talk about money before we even have a proposal on the table. Let's see what's proposed first and then we'll look at the money.'
When host Alan Corcoran pointed to the numerous assurances given by the Tánaiste, Minister Lawless was non-committal.
'I'd have to go back and look at it,' he said. 'I'm not aware of what promises were made. I don't know if any money was ring-fenced or not. I'm not aware that there's money ready to go. That would be premature. The CPO process held things up, but the council is in a position to progress that at this stage.'
When asked if this is still some way off from becoming a reality, Minister Lawless responded:
'I'll tell you straight. I've come into this department and this is a project on the list, but there's no site, no plan and no planning permission. It is probably a bit off still at this stage, being honest. SETU need to come into the HEA with a full spec plan.
'I will make this a priority and I will work with the players involved, but colleges are autonomous. The college is welcome to come to the HEA with plans and we will engage and discuss them. There'll be parts we'll agree on and parts we won't agree on.
'Let's see where this goes,' he concluded. 'I think, though, it would be premature to make promises regarding funding on a site that is not even owned yet.'
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