Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is a topic we will come back to and I thank Deputy Mac Sharry and Deputy Aylward.

We have concluded our meeting and I have found it an interesting and helpful exercise. Many members found the contributions positive and beneficial to the whole public discourse into the role, the regulation, the authority and powers of investigation of the HEA vis-à-vis the Department. In particular, I want to thank Dr. Love for coming in as I am awarehe will be leaving shortly. He has been here on a number of occasions in his short period and he has always acquitted himself in a very straight, honest and upfront manner in which he knew his job. This was greatly appreciated by our committee and we would not have asked him back if we did not consider that he had a meaningful contribution to make, which he can take as a compliment.

If we had let him slip off and said, "goodbye and good riddance," it would be different; therefore, Dr. Love should take it as a compliment that we talked to him before he left.

I thank the witnesses from the Department of Education and Skills and the Higher Education Authority for their attendance and the material provided in advance of the meeting. There is still some information to be given to us by the Department and the HEA in the coming period.

I thank Dr. Love and wish him every success in his future career.