Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I was recently at Queen's, where I myself studied for a period. I was with our spokesperson on further and higher education, Pádraig Delargy, and we met with Queen's management and students. We met many students as part of the freshers' fair as well. Another group we met with that I thought was very interesting was the secondary students' union. It really wanted to highlight the fact that it can be so difficult for students from the North to study in the South. It is welcome that that group has come together, and I look forward to what it will propose come the end of the year.

At the moment most students do not take four A-level subjects. That is just not a reality. Not only is there the issue of the four A-levels but there is also the fact of the extra bonus points in maths. Most students, obviously, if they do not plan to study maths, will not be doing maths for their A-levels. That is really important.

I really look forward to seeing what comes out of this. I hope it will be workable and helpful.

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