First of all, to take the Dundalk Institute of Technology and Queen's University Belfast partnership, that partnership under development is a hugely significant initiative, as I am sure the Deputy will agree, and advances the Government's goal, not only of balanced regional development, although it very much does in creating a university now on that north-east corridor between Dublin and Belfast, but by creating the first ever all-island university it very much advances the shared island objectives and broader objectives of alignment between both jurisdictions on the island and creating that shared entity. That partnership will include the development of shared processes in awarding qualifications, managing quality assurance of these different assessment bodies and grades, etc., within it, and collaboration in the research and innovation space.
It is also worth noting that Dundalk, under the partnership and under the technical specifications we are devising in terms of how it will operate, will retain its status as an autonomous designated institution of higher education in the State. While being part of Queen's, it also remains an autonomous entity within the State.
The matter has progressed steadily. I first brought it to Government in November. I was delighted to be able to do so. I secured Cabinet approval and set out immediately on pursuing the legislation that would be required to give effect to it. The colleges themselves, Queen's and DkIT, have been engaging closely and setting up working groups along with officials from my Department to prepare the necessary requirements and regulations to align the two jurisdictions and address whatever wrinkles may be there between incompatibilities to bring those together.
I am conscious of the Deputy's interest in IADT, which I share. I have visited the college on a number of occasions. I have met the IADT executive, president and team, both on site and, indeed, in here and in other areas. The IADT is one of only two remaining ITs in the State. It is a distinctive institution. It is a great opportunity for it, as a leader in the creative arts. I will come back to that in my next contribution.
