Ivana Bacik (Independent)

It is interesting to hear the extraordinary division of views on the Government side of the House regarding the budget. It is welcome to hear some Government Senators acknowledge that the budget was ill-advised, but to hear others describe it as successful management of the economy beggars belief, particularly when one considers the tens of thousands of people who demonstrated in the streets yesterday. I support Senator O'Toole's call for a debate on the cutbacks in education in particular and also in agriculture. Everybody in the country is talking about this. Few would suggest that there has been successful management of the education system. Appalling cutbacks are being perpetrated on that system and they will affect the most vulnerable. There will be an undermining of the educational needs of children with special needs, Traveller children and children in disadvantaged schools. It is most unfortunate that after years of the boom these benefits are being cut back.

Yesterday, I was proud to speak at the student demonstration, where 15,000 third level students came out to protest at the signal that there could be a return to third level fees. Again, this proposal would be an enormous encroachment on the principle of universality. I am delighted that a Member on the Government side acknowledged that a debate on universality was necessary. I renew my call on the Leader to arrange a debate on universality and universal provision of social services, such as health and education.