Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank everybody for their presentations. I apologise for my brief absence at the start of the meeting. The committee will probably debate this matter over the next two years. We will not know what is going to happen in terms of all of the individual issues until negotiations start.

Brexit poses opportunities and challenges and there will be wins and losses. More money is needed to fund the third-level sector, the education system in general and the international school that was mentioned. I will monitor Brexit very closely and carefully. I hope that enough opportunities will arise to counteract the challenges. My biggest priority, as a member of the Dáil and this committee, will be funding because, as has been said, we will not be able to attract high-calibre people to this country unless our system is up to scratch. Everyone will agree that the education system is not up to scratch. I have no doubt that the committee will engage with the witnesses again on Brexit and on many other issues.