Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)

It might be long enough.

This necessary Bill has many aspects. Every Member knows matters dealing with student grants and fees are extraordinarily important. While fees for third level education were abolished some time ago, I believe they should not be reintroduced. The abolition of third level fees has ensured we get the best possible benefit from our education programmes. Down through the years, all Governments have taken education seriously even though there are certain aspects to it with which this Government has failed miserably.

I have considerable experience of third level education both as a parent and a public representative. Many economists argue that not having third level fees does not make good economics. Unless there was a mechanism where the cut-off point for eligibility for fees exemption was extremely high, there would be fewer attending third level colleges. I accept there are no immediate plans to reintroduce third level fees, but if they were it would be a retrograde step of mammoth proportions. While family sizes may be getting smaller, for parents to put three or four children through third level college with maintenance and fees, they would need a money-making machine inside the door of the house.

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