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

I have been fascinated by all the presentations which were really good. If the witnesses do not mind, I will use them. I may call on the witnesses privately in the coming weeks and months to follow up on some of the points that were made. With all the submissions to the Joint Committee on Education and Skills we now have a body of documents that form an incredible resource. The witnesses may think they have given just an opening statement, but it adds up together to a large library of information for policy makers.

Do any of the witnesses believe that there is a bit of divergence on the Education (Welfare) Act with the involvement of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs? I know the officials cannot give any policy views on that, but they may be able to say something. I think it should be with the Department of Education and Skills and not with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

I noticed Dr. O'Sullivan disagreed with Ms O'Brien at one point.

Can Dr. O'Sullivan clarify that, as she was nodding her head? While Ms Caitriona O'Brien does great work in the DEIS section, Dr. O'Sullivan seemed to be quibbling with some of the figures. I know there is no malice in her reaction; just a lack of agreement and I would like to hear more on the disagreement.