Mr. Jim Miley:

The comments we have made in that regard related to the fact that two of the options mentioned in the Cassells report - loans and an increase in student fees - have been effectively ruled out by the current Government. Implicitly that then means the only solution left on the table is to substantially increase State funding. However, we are also hearing that the capacity of the State to fund the entire piece is limited. Failing that, the other option is to restrict the number of student places. If there is not enough money to pay for them, restricting the number is the only option but that is an untenable option as far as we are concerned. We pride ourselves on the fact that we have one of the most educated populations in Europe and one of the most educated workforces, which we want to continue.

When the Cassells options first came out, we expressed some views at that time on the loans or fees options. We understand the political sensitivities of dealing with those issues. We pose our solution to the funding crisis in the context of access and ask the following question. Is it acceptable that the son or daughter of a wealthy individual studying, for example, medicine, veterinary science or a laboratory-based course, should be effectively subsidised by the State while there are schools in this country where as few as 9% of the leaving certificate students access third level? We think that the issue of access, as part of the funding solution, must be addressed. That inherently means that certain people who can afford to pay a little bit more should, perhaps, be asked to do so because if we do not do so, and the State does not have the capacity to pick up the full tab, as we continually hear, the only other option is that we continue to restrict access to those who otherwise cannot afford to avail of third level education.

Very firmly, I shall refer to our ethos. Last year, we published a charter for the future of Irish universities, which we shared with all of the members of the Oireachtas. One of the six core principles of the charter was to enhance access for the future.