Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I worked as a teacher in further education for 25 years. One of the most significant problems I saw was undocumented children who had achieved high results in the leaving certificate but who had to attend further education colleges because they could not afford to pay the non-national fee at university. When Senator Bacik asked if I would support the Bill, my first thought was that it would be like everything else she proposes in that it would have a human rights element, a fairness element and a justice element. It has all of those. I am proud to support the Bill. For the people in the Gallery, I hope we will pass it and I do not see any difficulty in getting it past Second Stage tonight. If the matter goes to a vote, I am sure we will win. The Minister of State would do himself proud were he to say that he will accept the Bill and will see us again on Committee Stage.