David Norris (Independent)

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I am very grateful to him for amplifying beyond the direct typescript as his additional points were particularly helpful. The people who have been in touch with me accept that the country is facing very difficult economic circumstances, but they make the point that they are not public servants in the ordinary sense due to the vulnerability of their jobs, the method of funding and so on.

The Minister of State is right that the college in question is operating correctly. The question is not whether it is operating correctly, but whether it is operating fairly. There is a margin for appreciation. I am not sure how these people can legally constitute themselves as a group, but perhaps they can get in touch. They have a research fellows common room and so on, and they probably have a committee. Perhaps if this committee wrote to the Minister to seek a meeting with him, that could be undertaken.