Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I am asking questions of the Leader and am very careful to do so. The distinction is indeed a fair one, but it points up the issue that politicians on all sides have feet of clay on this issue of access. This is something we ought to remember, and I think the Leader might agree with that.

The Student Support Bill is ordered for today. One of the issues not directly dealt with in the Bill, but which we must face and which the House should discuss, is the question of student loans. The Labour Party, having made a misstep in abolishing third level fees without fully thinking through the consequences of that measure in terms of social equity, now appears to support a loan scheme, so long as there are no fees up-front.