Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I support previous calls on the need for a debate with the Minister for Education and Science on the cutbacks in education affecting second and primary levels. However, I would also like debated, as a matter of urgency, the cutbacks affecting the third level sector. There have been cuts in grants for buildings and capital projects. The postponement of research programmes and the cutbacks in funding for research and development in third level institutions goes against the Government's stated policy to make Ireland a knowledge based economy and to maintain our competitiveness vis-à-vis other countries. The Government is devaluing third level education and I find it amazing—