Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

That is the legacy which Deputy Martin and his party left to this Government - an agreement with the troika that the overall student contribution to third level education would be increased.

I am acutely aware of the difficulties facing students and their families in regard to the cost of third level education. I am also acutely aware of how unemployment affects families and young graduates leaving college. Deputy Martin is wrong in claiming that economic circumstances are the same now as they were a year ago. They are significantly improved on what they were a year ago because this Government has taken action-----

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