Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I am concerned by that answer and I think that many fifth year students who will be going into sixth year in September will also be concerned. The Minister said that the consultation has taken place. I am not sure if many of those students to whom I referred will agree with that. I know that there is a representative organisation and I respect the good work it has done. I understand that the Minister has been in touch with that group and had a certain back and forth engagement. However, there has not yet been an opportunity for the approximately 60,000 students to say what they think about the changes because they do not know what they are. They will find out within a matter of days of going back to school. It may well be the case that they say the changes are good and support them. However, it is possible that the students may believe that the changes do not go far enough and that there needs to be something different in the mix. If one is to stick to the letter of the law of the line laid down by the Taoiseach, namely, that there has to be maximum consultation with and consent from the students, that means it is not a done deal and there needs to be further discussion. Is the Minister open to further discussion if needs be?

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