Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I am very glad to have the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this motion and I congratulate the Progressive Democrats for tabling it. I declare an interest in that at least five members of my family are directly involved in university education while my father was a university professor for most of his life.

I regard education as a Government and infrastructural priority which is second to none. If I had to, I would put it ahead of roads and transport.