Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael)

-----and I hope it has four more years to go to do the rest. Therefore, the first part of the argument is very weak indeed. With regard to education in particular, the commitment as part of the bailout was to reduce education spending over the five years by €750 million. The Minister has to address himself to that brief. Any Minister would have to do the same.

I am surprised that third level fees are mentioned in the motion before the House. Senators are aware that the original proposal came from the Labour Party. I say that as a Fine Gael man. If the Labour Party had not intervened some years ago, fees could be €6,000 by now. As it is, they are too high. I have two children at college. It is a bit rough that fees of €2,250 will have to be paid in each case. However, the equivalent sum is €6,000 in the North and €10,000 in England. I am anxious to ensure such levels are not reached here. We need to resource our universities because they have slipped out of the top 100. That money has to come from somewhere. A difficulty arises in that context. The modest increase in the registration fee is tough but reasonable in the current context.

I am sorry for speaking so briefly. In general terms, the provision of front line services to disadvantaged people has been maintained. I refer, for example, to the services provided through DEIS schools, the general allocation model and resource and learning support teaching. I am sorry to say that the Fianna Fáil motion fails with regard to education.