Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

It is right and positive that we debate the power of higher education. It is simply a shame that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael consistently see it as a soft touch, something to be cut. If there are any consistent trends to Government's approach to higher education, they are inconsistency, pretence and speaking out of both sides of their mouths. In recent weeks in this House, we have discussed all manner of promises to benefit ordinary people that will be broken. We are told, because of economic turbulence, extending sick leave to ten days is delayed. Pension auto-enrolment is delayed. A living wage is delayed. Yet, when it comes to a €1,000 reduction in student fees the Minister is at pains to stress it was a temporary measure in response to the cost-of-living crisis. It is no surprise his party refrained from any such caveat while lauding it in its pre-election manifesto. His Government colleagues in Fine Gael actually promised to abolish fees, and we know what promises from the Tánaiste are worth. Families and students continue to live with the cost-of-living crisis, and as the Government refers to, when delaying measures that benefit ordinary people, there is compounding economic turbulence. Pre-election promises from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael of reducing or abolishing third level fees have, in practice and in government, to mean an increase of upwards of €1,000 for as many as every second student. If there is one consistent trend to Fianna Fáil in government, it is clear that it is ordinary workers' families, and students too, who will get screwed. However, the Minister has the power to change this and abolish third level fees.

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