Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

Is the Minister in a position to indicate when the Government will honour its commitments under the George Mitchell scholarship scheme? Legislation was promised as recently as last May when the Taoiseach, in an aside to some of the people present at a function welcoming the George Mitchell scholars, indicated that "Batt" would see to the matter before the end of the session. Was he referring to Batman or a Cabinet Minister? We are not shy about travelling to the United States on St. Patrick's Day with a begging bowl and outstretched hand. It is a disgrace that the relevant legislation has not been introduced. What is going on the Department of Education and Science?

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