Published Monday, 28 November 2011
The Minister for Employment and Learning said a decline in teacher numbers means both colleges are in financially precarious conditions.
Speaking in the Assembly, Stephen Farry said that, although he was sensitive to the different "education sectors", steps should be taken to move towards "a more sensible arrangement".
"All schools must deliver the Northern Ireland curriculum and all schools are inspected by a single inspectorate," he added.
The Minister's Alliance party colleague, Chris Lyttle, described shared education as a "complex issue".
"Reform on teacher training services is a key part of delivering the best value for the limited funds we have. Change is crucial to adapt for the future.
"Division across our society costs us £1bn annually and it is vital that we deliver shared education in order to tackle this issue," he said.
Meanwhile, DUP MLA Lord Morrow said St Mary's University College is flouting current equality and employment legislation.
"The Minister claims this disparity is down to historical and societal factors, yet Stranmillis University College has managed to comply with legislation without incident and they are the ones facing effective closure if the proposed merger with Queen's University goes ahead.
"This is clearly the desire of a number of individuals who have made it a personal agenda. In a twisted logic Stranmillis is becoming the sacrificial lamb in order to protect the secular ethos of St Mary's.
"St Mary's has been permitted to operate under a secular ethos whilst receiving government funding to carry out their functions in an exclusionist and elitist manner.
"If the Catholic Church want to operate a specialist college teaching their own religious principles that's absolutely fine, but they need to be funding it in the majority if not entirely themselves.
"St Mary's [...] is denying tax-payer funded education and employment whilst its chief donor is the government. This is an undeniably appalling fact, and should no longer be tolerated. The Minister needs to act," said Lord Morrow.
Sinn Féin MP for West Belfast Paul Maskey said his party will do what it can to oppose the move.
"St Mary's is an autonomous and viable university," he told UTV.
"Students have voted with their feet over the years who have went to it - the minister shouldn't be trying to minimise that or undermine St Mary's.
"I think what he is trying to do is close St Marty's by itself because he is coming under pressure from other political parties and I don't think he should be allowed."