I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I move amendment No. 10: In page 15, between lines 32 and 33, to insert the following: “(b) to protect and enhance the public nature of the higher education system;”

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Simon Harris, back to the Chamber. I am standing in to speak for my colleague Senator Warfield. The principle behind amendment No. 10 is the most important point that we would like to see reflected in the Bill. Nowhere in the Bill makes any reference to the public nature of our higher education system. The value of having a public education system cannot be overstated. The public nature should also not be taken for granted. We have seen the wholesale commercialisation of higher educat…

Hear, hear.

Gabhaim buíochas as sin.

I thank the Minister. He did well to get back on all of those amendments. I wish to make a couple of points. The Minister is right that we support this Bill. I very much acknowledge the point made by him on grants. The announcement earlier this year was very welcome in that we will not be going down the loans route. Our amendment was to protect and enhance the public nature of the higher education system and the reason we believe that is important was best exemplified by Senator Malcolm Byrne's response, where he c…

That is a good point.

They cannot afford a house.

Well said.

Do your job.

I move amendment No. 20: In page 16, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following: “(e) to ensure decent pay and good working conditions for academic (including PhD researchers) and non-academic staff in designated institutions of higher education;”.

I move amendment No. 24: In page 16, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following: “(h) to promote the attainment of the national aims of restoring the Irish language and preserving and developing the national culture, including by promoting teaching, learning and research across the wide diversity of disciplines at higher level through the medium of Irish.”.

I am standing in for my colleague, Senator Warfield, who is unfortunately under the weather today. The Minister of State is very welcome. Sinn Féin welcomes and supports this legislation, which will shorten the notice period for schools being instructed to accommodate pupils with special educational needs. Many families are trying to secure appropriate education for their children as is their human right. I commend all the families and campaigners who have fought tirelessly for fair treatment for their children. We…

The Minister is welcome. I welcome the people tuning in from all the counties affected: Limerick, Clare, Mayo, Donegal, Sligo and others. I think we can all agree that they have run an immense campaign for quite some time. I know that people in Limerick were pleased that the Minister has included them in the scheme, but people I spoke to last week were completely unimpressed and deeply distressed by the lack of engagement on amendments to the Bill last week. The people at the heart of this campaign have their homes…

That is why I want to put on record what they have said about this Bill. I am quoting directly from them; these are their voices. They say: It is imperative that the voice of the Homeowners, the victims of Defective materials, is heard and ... [in particular] the Government ... [politicians] ... listen before it is too late. Listen, because to date, you have not listened. We are angry, frustrated and the endless torture will not be tolerated to go on a minute further. I have a second quote: Last week we were due to…

The quotes are good.

Hear, hear.

This has been clarified.

Senator Cummins can support our amendments on Wednesday and we will go with his support.