Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)

James Connolly, the founder of the Labour Party, appealed to those "whose interests are always on the side of progress". Progress was a word he used a lot. Many people would agree that the older people and students who protested yesterday and the teachers, children and parents who will protest next week are standing up for progress.

The reduction in class sizes, universal access to medical cards for the over 70s and universal child benefit were all progressive moves. Universal access to the medical card has meant better health and greater security for older people. The introduction of free third level education by the Labour Party when in Government resulted in more people, from all socio-economic backgrounds, going to college. Even groups whose participation in third level education had diminished before fees were abolished have increased their rate of participation.

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