David Norris (Independent)

I thought the Leas-Chathaoirleach was about to call for my removal.

Graduate students are an important element of university life but they need funding because many who wish to proceed to postgraduate research in medicine after their first degree leave Ireland for more exciting research prospects and better funding overseas. To retain their talent we need to focus on funding.

I will also raise the Buttimer report, which is important because it deals with consultants. It states that we need to shift from a consultant-led system to a consultant-providing system and I agree with that point. That must be considered but it would need to feed into the system at least 1,000 extra consultants and that will take money. Thank God we have the money to adequately fund this important area of our life.