The Cassells report was published yesterday. The Government secretly hoped that it would resolve the question or provide a basis for a resolution to that question by recommending the Government's preferred option of student loans. Despite spin to the contrary, the report did not recommend that of the three options. That option would have saddled students with debt, discouraging working class participation in third level education even further.

What is the Government's proposed timeline for dealing with this question? If a space opens up, this is an opportunity for the student movement in particular to put pressure on all of the political parties and demand a commitment from them all - not one like the written commitment signed by Ruairí Quinn - to free fees and to properly funded third level education.

As the Deputy is aware, there is a funding challenge at third level that needs to be addressed. We now have the very comprehensive report produced under the chairmanship of Mr. Peter Cassells. It outlines a number of funding options and has been referred to the education committee. It is work such that will occur in the first instance. Following this, the Minister will consider the options and make a decision, as he said. Clearly, the precise timeframe depends on how long it will take the committee to carry out its examination. The matter is urgent, as the Minister said.