Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I begin by replying, through the Chair, to Senator Ellis. In Cork last weekend, I found that students are waiting for grants to be paid, living in very poor conditions and frustrated by the lack of leadership from the Department of Education and Science. I support Senator Healy Eames in asking the Leader when the Student Support Bill will come to the House. Senator Healy Eames is correct when she says this is a most fundamental question. I invite Senator Ellis to come with me to Cork to see the conditions in some of our third level institutions and the living conditions endured by students.

I join other speakers in asking the Leader to arrange a debate on the banking fraternity. The culture in our banks has not changed. This morning, Allied Irish Banks gave the two fingers to the people, who bailed it out through the bank guarantee scheme, recapitalisation and NAMA. They have told us it is business as usual and that it does not matter anymore.