Seanad debates

Thursday, 15 February 2007

11:00 am

Photo of Feargal QuinnFeargal Quinn (Independent)

I support Senator Ryan's call for a debate on the competitiveness report, which I requested some weeks ago. I recently read a book by the husband of one Member, Senator White, and the father of another Member, Senator MacSharry, about the Celtic tiger and its success. It is almost essential reading because it tells what happened but also points to the dangers of what could go wrong. The competitiveness report reminds us of some of those dangers. One of the issues to emerge from the book is that one of the essential reasons the economy succeeded was the investment in education. Senator Ryan suggested we should debate whether third level education should be free or available only to those who have difficulty affording it, and whether we should invest in education in that way. It is a worthy debate and one that should take place.

Reference was made to civic pride. Since we introduced the smoking ban, there seems to be an untidy doorstep outside almost every workplace. We do not need a law in this regard but we must ask, particularly in this city, although I am sure it applies in other towns also, whether we can arrange a system whereby people would have a pride in their city, town and the footpaths outside their workplaces, and make sure they are kept clear of the huge number of cigarette butts that seem to litter everywhere in this city.

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