Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)

The board has eight members, comprising one international expert on quality assurance, the chair, whom one would expect to take a neutral position, and the chief executive officer. This leaves five other representatives. For two of these to be learner representatives would disproportionately skew representation on the board. It is also important to note that once a person or individual is nominated or appointed to the board, rather than representing the sectoral interest from which they have emanated, they will actually work in the best interests of the board and education provision. I do not see combative situations arising at board meetings. Instead, it will be a more holistic approach. To have one person representing the views of the student body is more than adequate.