Fianna Fáil TD for Louth, Erin McGreehan, has said it is a “historic day” for the county as legislation to formally link Dundalk Institute of Technology with Queen’s University Belfast is being brought to Cabinet.

Under the proposals, students enrolling in DkIT from September 2026 will study within Queen’s academic and quality assurance frameworks and will graduate with a Queen’s University Belfast degree or postgraduate qualification.

Speaking on the announcement, Deputy McGreehan said:

“This is a big step forward. As Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, I am looking forward to having this discussed at length in the Committee. It is a huge privilege to be leading this in the Committee and being responsible for bringing legislation through.

“This officially makes Louth home to the first all island university. The opportunities this will create for students in Louth cannot be overstated.

“To deliver for the future of Ireland, we need to be ambitious for our universities and third level institutions, and today’s move is a clear example of that ambition.

“The economic and development benefits for Louth will be significant, helping to attract top academic talent, increase activity in Dundalk and open up opportunities that only a university presence can provide right here on our doorstep.

“Louth has grown in size and regional importance in recent years, and this development further strengthens that progress.”

For further information, reach out to Erin McGreehan.

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Pictured: (L-R) Erin McGreehan TD, Minister James Lawless, DkIT President Diarmuid O’Callaghan