.
CORK City Council has voted to suspend the merger between Institute of Technology Tralee and Cork Institute of Technology.
The Council has backed a motion calling on Education Minister, Jan O’Sullivan to suspend the colleges forming a Munster Technological University and to enter into meaningful talks with unions.
Of the 20 Councillors at the meeting on Monday, 15 voted for the motion while five abstained.
Next week, IT Tralee academic staff with the TUI, will go on strike for a range of issues with underfunding of the sector and the employment status of some staff being key issues.
ITT and CIT are looking to come together and form the Munster Technological University.
Obtaining University status will give higher international recognition for the courses already being delivered at both Institutes of Technology.
