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

I thank Ms Hoey. The whole reason we are having this debate is the systematic under-funding in third level over the last number of years, particularly given the increase in the number of students. Having listened to the presidents of the universities and institutes of technology in regard to the huge pressures they are under at this time, the debate is very relevant. We need to have it and we need to put everything out there on the table.

In regard to the options the Cassells report has produced, we are certainly not limited to any one of those three, and we are open to looking at a hybrid or at other possibilities. In fact, we have asked Peter Cassells to come back to us in regard to teasing out all of the different options. We will certainly take on board the report the USI has produced for us and we may well come back on that. We are giving due consideration to everything.