The Minister of State is only one year in office and he should take note of Senator O'Rourke's well put point regarding the need, now and again, to stamp one's authority. Invariably, memoranda and Bills are presented as a fait accompli. It often means that one must accept them despite arguments to the contrary. Senator O'Rourke said she repeatedly told officials to change one such document presented to her as Minister. I recall debating two good education Bills – the Regional Technical College Bill and the Dublin Institute of Technology Colleges Bill – in the other House when Deputy Brennan was Minister for Education and Deputy Aylward was the Minister of State. Both Bills were concerned with changing the status and the name of the two colleges and, among other things, provided for changes in staff titles from directors to principals. Deputy Michael D. Higgins and I repeatedly argued in favour of two or three amendments. Eventually, and against departmental advice, the Minister of State made the necessary changes, even though it constituted a charge on the Exchequer. He acted because he understood the merits of the arguments.