Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

Is it not the case that the Minister has been in possession of the Hunt report for at least two months, if not longer? Is it not also the case that issues relating to the report and the reform of third level education have been published in The Irish Times in particular? It is a disgrace that Members are not in a position to give their full consideration to this issue. In light of what the Tánaiste stated, the matter will not be considered in the House until the long consultation process is brought to an end.

Is it not the case that the incomes which families have which determine whether young people can attend university? There has been a significant and adverse change of means in hundreds of thousands of homes as a result of the unemployment brought about by the Government's policies. Notwithstanding the agreement between Fianna Fáil and the Green Party, will the Tánaiste indicate how much the Government intends to raise through the proposed increase in the student registration fee?

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