Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the witnesses for attending and for their opening statements, which were very informative. Mr. Irwin mentioned, in response to Senator O'Reilly, that we are not doing very well with the top cohort of students. There is probably little sympathy for or understanding of the plight of that top cohort. They probably do not get much recognition from either the public or politicians. I would have thought there is a downside. There is a public interest in ensuring that those in the top cohort excel. What is the downside for the country if there is a top cohort whose members are not excelling as well as their counterparts in other countries?