Sean Barrett (Independent)

That is a very important point. Student evaluations, from my professional experience, are subject to caveats. If one marks a class very lightly, one will score really well in the opinion poll. Health warnings have to be attached to them. Certain subjects, such as thermodynamics and econometrics, are incredibly complex and difficult, and not even a saint will get a high mark because they involve hard work. The old phrase was that people went to university to "read" economics or medicine. Learning is not all based on lecturers and the guy with the good jokes.

While student input is very important and I support Senator Healy Eames, caveats exist and people in university authorities have to be aware of what they will tell them. A very entertaining course was given which everybody thought was wonderful but no one employed any of the graduates because they were having a good time for three or four years.

As a member of the board, Senator Power, who was an elected student officer in TCD, gave student feedback on what courses were working and so on. If we did not do that, the CAO would record nobody wishing to do course X in institution Y because word would get out that courses did not conform to student expectations and employers' needs. Student feedback is vital and I support the Minister in that regard.