Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I do not know of any person who has either been unemployed or left school and went straight into a postgraduate course. Even Senator Norris does not have a doctorate. People start at the beginning. That is the reason we have second chance education. The scheme was initially to ensure people had a second level qualification – in the main, the leaving certificate. Progression towards a primary degree then occurred.

I note and I am concerned that the attainment of a primary degree is now seen as futile. I disagree because, if that is so, many of us would be very futile. The majority of Members in the House only have and are very lucky to have a primary degree qualification. There are many in work who have no qualifications but have been very adapt at creating wealth for themselves, creating jobs and being entrepreneurial.