Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

It is a pity the Minister for Education and Skills decided, three days before polling, to sign a pledge that he would not introduce third-level fees and would reverse the increase in service charges. This morning, he tried to tell people that he did not lie to the electorate, but he clearly did. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business this morning, that the Minister for Education and Skills should attend the House to explain why he lied to the electorate and if he will reintroduce third-level fees. There is no doubt that he will do so. Will he make good on his commitment to reverse the €500 student service charge increase? He will not do so, but I would like to hear it from him.

Yesterday, at least 20,000 students took time out to put their message to the new Government. It was a cynical electoral ploy, particularly by the Labour Party in this regard. I did not see any labour movement from Trinity College, although perhaps Senator Bacik is meeting them this morning to discuss how she will extricate herself from the difficulties she finds herself in.