Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Will the Deputy give way? I wish to correct the record of the House. The issue arose in the context of whether the measure is progressive. My criticism is that the Labour Party provided free third level education regardless of income and it is now enjoyed by the children of millionaires and those earning €200,000 or €300,000 per annum. My point is that it was not targeted. I am in favour of everyone attending university if he or she so wishes. The Fianna Fáil Party has a good record on education which I invite any party to surpass. My point, however, is that as a result of the lack of focus in applying the measure regardless of income, fewer people than we would like receive maintenance grants because we have decided to spend the money elsewhere. Let us be intellectually honest. The Deputy made the same point in another way when she criticised the decision to give everyone aged over 70 years a medical card.

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