Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

There is much to be said for the manner in which the Government engineered it so that there were cutbacks directly after the election in order to create the notion of bonanza at the appropriate time. From what I am hearing on the doorstep the public is not fooled. If the Government was responsible, it would consider how to spend the money equitably and fairly. Senator Finucane has referred to the area of disability. The Government might consider some of its promises, which were not delivered on, such as the extension of the medical card. We know that society is unfair when somebody who is suffering from cancer cannot get a medical card, as was the case of the person I met this week. Will the Government, although my request may fall on deaf ears, use the additional revenue to restore some level of equity to people who are seriously ill and need support?

Will the Leader consider allowing a debate on the issue of students working? An ESRI report shows that the number of students working part-time has doubled and worryingly this is having an impact on their performance in State examinations. This should be looked at in the context of labour law as it applies to young people, not to prevent them working but to ensure that working is not to the detriment of their performance in examinations and investment in their future.