Council: Halt IT merger plans

A local authority has backed calls to halt the controversial proposed merger of Cork and Tralee institutes of technology.

Cork City Council has voted overwhelmingly in favour of a Cllr Ted Tynan motion calling on Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan, or her successor, to suspend the proposed merger and to enter into meaningful talks with trade and student unions at both institutes.

Apart from Cllrs John Sheehan, Tim Brosnan, Tony Fitzgerald, Des Cahill and Joe Kavanagh, who abstained, the 15 other councillors who attended Monday’s council meeting voted in favour of the motion.