Brendan Ryan (Labour)

I wish to move an amendment to the Order of Business that we at least have statements on that report this morning before taking the first item because this report is such an embarrassment to the country.

I have raised on many occasions the need for a debate on competitiveness. I know many fine economists who are sceptical about the concept of national competitiveness, but it is part of the stuff of debate in this country. Reports from the National Competitiveness Council have recommended a return of third level fees. It seems to me that a particular individual, as he migrates from the Department of Education and Science to the Higher Education Authority to the National Competitiveness Council, brings this particular bit of baggage with him and manages to insert it.

This House should reiterate that this country will not re-introduce third level fees and the subject should be moved off the agenda as it is a distraction. I ask for a debate on the report of the National Competitiveness Council because there are many aspects of it which need to be debated.

I ask for a debate on the UNICEF report which could be in conjunction with a measured debate on the proposed referendum. This report is a profound embarrassment to this country. Having read it yesterday in detail, the only reason we are not at the bottom is because, among other things, our families are very stable and we do not have large numbers of children living in single parent families. If one takes those issues which are entirely outside——