James Heffernan (Labour)

Easy now, I did not interrupt other speakers. All the parties in this House have agreed to the debt reduction targets set out by the troika. We are certainly not happy with them but that is another story. We accept them and we must meet them. The Departments of Education and Skills, Social Protection and Health account for 70% of public expenditure. Spending has to be reduced. The Fianna Fáil motion acknowledges that savings have to be made in current expenditure but suggests there is a fairer and more economically strategic way to secure them. If the Members opposite can explain how we can close the gap of €17 billion without touching education, I am sure the Minister will be all ears.