Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

The stipulation exists because it arose from consultations. If my memory serves, the explanation I received was that it was meant to capture experience and the reality that conditions have changed. Senator Norris made the point that changes occurred in 1977 when there were different forms of access to university. The stipulation is meant to capture such changes.

It is amazing that the Senator is the first person to mention this in either House, and the Bill has received a fair hearing in both Houses. I am not enamoured of general age requirements, but this arose from consultations.