Dee Ryan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on her appointment to the role and thank her for her well considered words. I am looking forward to working with the Cathaoirleach and other colleagues on the committee. My background is in business and, as a Senator from Limerick, I am keenly aware of how important the institutes of learning were for us in the aftermath of the crash and recession in 2008 and 2009. The collaboration between the institutes of learning and industry really helped to regenerate our economy locally and develop Limerick into the engine for the whole economic region of the mid-west. I will be approaching my work from three perspectives. I am interested in strengthening the relationship between industry and institutes of learning. From the perspective of the institutes of learning, which are huge employers in Limerick, I want to know how best we can support them. From the student perspective, the critical issue of accommodation has been well discussed here already this morning, but customer service for students and students' relationship with the institutes of learning and how the institutes deal with the students is of vital importance. It not only makes it easy for them to get through their work and focus on their studies, but also sets the tone of professionalism and respect with which we treat students and the expectation for what we would like to see from them.