Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

As Senator Barrett said, as we move forward in medicine we need to concern ourselves with giving medical cards to the needy, not the greedy. There are people who can well afford to send their children who are under six to the doctor. Let us not proceed with this measure. There are other people who simply cannot afford it.

On the issue of upskilling, I have already adverted to the overcrowding that is taking place in our third level and further education sector and in our second level schools as a result of changes to the pupil-teacher ratio. There is also a problem with respect to upskilling in that those with a level 6 or level 7 qualification under the national framework of qualifications who want to move in a new direction have to start at level 5, and there is an impediment in that context.

As for the banks and the bankers, what can I say? The bankers are sitting on their big fat bonuses, big jobs and high salaries while the people who bailed them out are struggling to survive. We had a debate on receiverships earlier and once again I was astounded by what I saw in the House. All those on the opposite side of the House to me spoke in favour of taking steps to regulate receivers and then they voted against the motion. Politics is a crazy game.

Repossessions, receiverships, the bonus culture and all that must be taken care of. I would love to go through with the Minister of State my five-point plan to assist those in mortgage arrears, which he has received and I know he has read it, because he is one of the good ones. Senator Coghlan is right in saying there is a trajectory for him and it is upward only. I hope the Minister of State takes on board those five points. They are simple but they would ease the pain of many of our citizens. I thank him for coming into the House this evening and giving of his time. The Acting Chairman has been most understanding.