It was absolutely fantastic to see so many young inquiring minds at the Galway Science & Technology Exhibition at NUI Galway. They came in their droves, over 30,000 kids and their parents. The buzz around the place was unlike anything I have ever experienced in my long career of managing events in Ireland, the UK and the States.

Brilliant too to see the University's facilities being used in this way for the people of Galway and the West of Ireland. Top marks all around to all those involved. However, I was struck by rather a sad thought; because of the total mismanagement of our economy, I wonder how many of these bright young children will be denied the opportunity to attend 3rd level education? This makes me very sad. We cannot allow this to happen. The government must protect our young. They must educate them to the highest standards. If we loose that, and we no longer have an educated workforce, who the hell is going to invest in this country? That being said, I believe the 3rd level institutes must also shoulder some of the responsibility, and start to provide courses at a more reasonable cost.

I believe we can still afford to educate everybody to the level they deserve, we just need to be clever about it. Politicians and Academics think that they are very clever people, well, here's a chance to prove it and sort it out. NOW! Before its far too late.