Shane Ross (Independent)

We should note one thing, and it is not necessarily palatable to Members of the House, but much of what we have left in this economy - the engine of this economy - is down to multinationals. The energy in this economy at present is down to multinationals as is much of the hope in the economy. They will seek two things: the retention or reduction of the rate of corporate tax and an educated workforce. If they see the message go out from here today that we will increase fees and make it impossible for people who do not have enough money to get an education they will state that Ireland does not offer the same assets, opportunities and talented young people and they will not come here. This is the light in which we should look at the proposed increases in fees or registration fees. If we increase them and reduce the talent pool on offer, and I do not mean only to multinationals but also entrepreneurs, to those who are here or those who are proven to be doing the economy good we will see less of them coming and we will see one of the great hopes of recovery being removed. It is in that light, and not just as a pressure group, that we should see the protest today.