Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I will speak to it now. I presume that the Minister would agree with me that the student voice is often relegated. It happens right throughout education. Most of the discussions that take place are about learning, and about those who may learn, without those people having input at the top table.

Within all of that, I have to congratulate the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, today on elevating the issue to a higher area of responsibility than had been there before.

In the Bill, there is a provision for two student members. We are simply proposing that it would be increased to three. I think that would be a better balance. By having three within themselves as a body, it is easier for them to have a coherent view on something, rather than having two opposing views. The Minister might see where I am coming from there. We would like the Minister to move from two members to three members to strengthen the student voice.