Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

Although we did not wish public sector employees to strike approximately €50 million has been saved as a result, the least amount that should be committed to the clean-up operation. We must be in the long term, as has been said by many Senators, prepared for future flooding. There is no doubt that poor planning decisions have been made, in particular in flood plains. As I discovered a year and a half ago following flooding in Oranmore, the clean up of drains and waterways requires the engagement of the council, the OPW and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. We must ensure easier co-ordination if we are to get the job done.

Senator Ó Murchú spoke of the need for a national recovery plan. Education is part of that recovery plan. The Union of Students in Ireland, USI, has put forward the well proven case that only one third of the student registration fee of €1,500 per annum is invested in student services while two thirds of it is used to subsidise their fees.