Liam Fitzgerald (Fianna Fail)

The situation concerning the CAO is a serious one. The CAO spokesperson's attitude should be condemned as being anti-student because it was insensitive to students' needs. Given that the spokesperson was unable to acknowledge that there was a problem, he should seriously consider his position. It must be acknowledged that there is a separation between the functions of the CAO and those of the Minister for Education and Science. Earlier this morning, I contacted the Minister's office about this matter. I have been assured that the Minister sought an extension of the CAO application deadline. She formally requested the CAO, which is an independent statutory body, to extend the deadline.

We cannot have it both ways. The Minister was formally advised that there are legal difficulties. I have spoken to the Minister's office three times this morning about this and have been assured that there is a legal difficulty involved. However, the Minister's officials assured me that once CAO hard-copy applications are posted today, with today's date on the certificate of posting, everybody will be secure, notwithstanding Opposition concerns about the €10 fee. I accept that there is an issue of apparent insensitivity within certain elements of the CAO towards the legitimate worries of students and their parents. This needs to be addressed and I know the Minister is determined to do so for next year's round of applications.