Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Houlihan, Mr. Connolly, Ms Quin, Ms O'Sullivan, Mr. Roberts and Mr. Byrne for their passionate and strong opening statements. They have raised pertinent points. I commend them on the work they do on behalf of the other 190 students who have been impacted by this matter. I congratulate Mr. Connolly for starting the campaign. Sometimes it just takes one person to stand up and draw attention to an inequity. The committee appreciates the work the witnesses have done to bring this campaign to this point.

I ask members to indicate to me now their wish to speak and ask questions. Mr. Byrne has addressed this point to a slight extent but I am interested in how the witnesses chose their colleges. Was it possible for them to apply or attend other colleges that operate the SUSI scheme?

The committee is getting into its work programme and will deal with the Cassells report. I would like to hear the views of the witnesses on student loans. Do they think they are a good idea for students in the future?

We will discuss with a number of different groups all the different options. The witnesses are students on the ground, so I am interested in their views.