Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the petitioner in his absence for submitting an excellent petition. This problem extends beyond this petitioner's case. As I stated in private session I have dealt with numerous cases such as this. It is a crazy anomaly. If people wish to further themselves by getting better education they should be put on the proper payment that would allow them to do so. This man's payment is debarring him from continuing with his education. That situation cannot be permitted.

It would be the ultimate in democracy to see the Minister and representatives of the permanent government coming here to have a discussion with the committee and, hopefully, the petitioner, so that he can put his case directly in an open and frank way in the presence of the Minister and the permanent government members. The Minister will then see first-hand how crazy this is and that a change should be made. This should be the committee's next step. There should be no more paper-pushing about this issue but a frank discussion on the subject instead. This issue is bigger than one case. A large number of people are affected besides this petitioner. However, I am glad this person has used this committee in the way he has in order to further his own personal case. I hope that by helping this petitioner we will be able to help many other people. Every Member of the Houses of the Oireachtas will have had representations about situations like this one.