Leaving sectarian controversies out of the question, the type of institution which is required in order to provide adequately for the classes now left outside the influence of higher education is an institution pre-eminently national in its aims, and one intimately associated with the new movements making for the development of our national resources.
Unfortunately, however, in Ireland, and indeed in England too, there is a tendency to regard educational institutions almost solely as they will affect religion.

At least it is difficult to arouse any serious interest in them except from this point of view.

I welcome, therefore, the striking answers given to the queries of Lord Robertson, Chairman of the University Commission, by Dr.O'Dwyer, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Limerick, who boldly and wisely placed the question before the country in the light in which cleric and layman should alike regard it:-- _The Chairman_ .-- (413): "I suppose you believe a Catholic University, such as you propose, will strengthen Roman Catholicism in Ireland ?"--"It is not easy to answer that; not so easy as it looks." (414):--"But it won't weaken it, or you would not be here ?"--"It would educate Catholics in Ireland very largely, and, of course, a religious denomination composed of a body of educated men is stronger than a religious denomination composed of ignorant men.

In that sense it would strengthen Roman Catholicism." (415):--"Is there any sense in which it won't ?"--"As far as religion is concerned, I do not know how a University would work out.

If you ask me now whether I think that that University in a certain number of years would become a centre of thought, strengthening the Catholic faith in Ireland, I cannot tell you.