Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join everyone who has praised the Seanad Éireann transition year student challenge which we had this morning. It was a splendid occasion and credit is due to everyone associated with its organisation.

One discordant note was communicated to the Minister for Education and Science by the heads of Irish universities. If I got the quote correctly, it was that young people arrive in universities "not fit for purpose". I have the advantage over the heads of Irish universities in that I give lectures to freshmen and I do not recognise their caricature of undergraduates. External examiners tell us that the students are of the highest standard. The troika lectured to students during a visit and they said they were splendid. I said that none of them works in the Department of Finance or in banks. Attempts by bodies such as IBEC and the heads of Irish universities to denigrate young people do not add much to the scene and it is not confirmed by the evidence. Approximately 50 people, all adults, some in politics, others in senior public service, banking, building and property, brought the country to the state it is in today. It is unfair of any group in society to blame 18 year olds.