Sean Barrett (Independent)

I would like a debate on admission to universities. When people are studying the leaving certificate, it is important they have confidence in the way they progress to the next level. Happily, some 70% of students do so, which is one of the highest figures anywhere. We have discussed problems in mathematics at second level and our neglect of languages. The system was set up by Professor William Watts, a former provost of Trinity College Dublin, and its strength is that the Central Applications Office is not subject to influence from the universities or outside. That is essential to the fact that every 18-year-old facing the leaving certificate has confidence in the neutrality of the system. I am concerned there will be a repeat of the last meddling, a test called HPAT, designed to reduce the number of women studying medicine. These matters are dangerous and if they cause a loss of confidence in 18-year-olds in the neutrality of the leaving certificate system. Good performance at second level is a good predictor of how people will perform at third level.