Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 5:

In page 7, between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following: “(b) Where a review is carried out, the Commission shall afford the candidate an opportunity to be heard. ”.

Amendments Nos. 5 and 7 are the same. The word "candidate" is used in the Bill. Indeed, that is an unusual term for students and perhaps they will all stand for election after the campaigned that has occurred. The amendments seek to give students a chance for their case to be heard. I know that issues of capacity will be referred to but it is important to bear in mind that only a small number of students will look to present their case and not every student will wish to present in person at an appeal. Given the impact and lifelong implications, the amendment is important. Some candidates will have to quickly decide about applying to the Central Applications Office, CAO, or whether to take other CAO offers. Therefore, my colleagues and I believe that it is important for candidates to get a chance to make their case at an appeal before making any decisions.