Mr. Tim Conlon:

I might start. I thank the Cathaoirleach for a good question. It reminds me of Deputy Conway-Walsh's point earlier about the reference to democratisation in the earlier legislation that is not present now. The intention of that democratisation of higher education was access for all. Higher education was a very different place 50 years ago and was far more limited with respect to the opportunities for access, transfer and progression through it. That democratisation has almost been changed now by a very specific access, transfer and progression agenda around target core groups, for example, and opening up higher education to everyone. That is very important because we can see from the data the HEA collects and the reports we have published that to get into and through higher education vastly changes life outcomes, such as the likelihood of being in employment, remaining in employment through economic cycles and so on. Of course, employment, income and so on also have health impacts on individuals. There is an important part of democratisation and equality there in that not getting access to higher education locks a person out of so much else in life. It is very important, therefore, that provision and opportunity is spread as widely as possible. I thank the Cathaoirleach. It is a very good point. I do not think there is anything in this legislation that undermines that or reduces that, rather it strengthens it as calls out in particular the access agenda. It also calls out the equality, diversity and inclusion agenda. That could be gender equality but also equality of inclusion. The legislation is sufficiently robust in that regard.