Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

There has been no mention of any person to chair this committee. I have never discussed the chairmanship of this committee with anybody and I was never privy to any information that a particular person was being proposed for it. It was news to me when I read the newspaper article that a particular person was mentioned.

With regard to the chairmanship, I agree we need somebody of outstanding ability and achievement. He or she should have a very good knowledge of the third level sector and be able to direct and guide this process for the next 20 years. From my perspective and that of the Government, finding the best person to chair this body will be paramount. Politics will not come into play in what I see as being one of the most strategic roles to be played for the next 20 years in terms of developing an educational strategy.

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