Mr. Tony Donohoe:

It was in response to the idea that in some ways we are looking at a US or a UK model, where eye-watering amounts of debt is built up for the individual. That is not what we are advocating. We are advocating cost-sharing for those sectors that actually benefit from it. This includes the State for social, cultural and economic reasons and it includes the individual, business and employers. We all know the pressure on the public purse, and if there is a system that relies on public finances to be in good shape, inevitably there will be these competing demands. Of its nature, higher education tends to come second or even third best. Health or social welfare will grab the headlines, then education and then within education, higher education. This concept of sustainability is the most important one that we should hang on to. What is the most sustainable model that will survive through different economic cycles? Those are the three legs.