Liam Fitzgerald (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brendan Ryan has called for a debate on third level education. I assure the Leader that we on this side of the House are happy to debate third level education at any time and look closely at our record vis-À-vis that of others. Senator Ryan reminded us that the OECD is conducting an in-depth analysis of third level education commissioned by the Minister. However, as Senator Minihan has rightly reminded me, we are debating the issue in detail at the Joint Committee on Education and Science, starting tomorrow. We invite Senator Ryan to join us, since his colleagues from all sides will be there. It will be interesting to hear the views of the Opposition parties regarding the recent pronouncements of Dr. Garret FitzGerald. There may be something of a conversion on the road to Damascus. We await it with bated breath.