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Senator Mark Daly:  I look forward to a debate on registration fees for third level colleges, an issue raised by other Senators. We are all familiar with the famous photograph which will become infamous from here to eternity of the Minister and then Deputy Quinn signing a pledge not to raise fees. It was a little like the Treaty of Limerick in that not only was the ink not dry but before he picked up the pen he knew he could not stand by the pledge. The €250 increase in registration fees will not be allocated to the colleges as it is a tax that the Government will put in its back pocket and use for other purposes, including paying special advisers. 

While previous speakers raised the issue of Europe, no one is talking about democracy. The issue has not been raised by our Government or any of the other European Union governments. The European population is being forced into a united states of Europe against its will, as was clear when the treaty of Nice was rejected in France, the Netherlands and Ireland and the treaty of Lisbon was rejected here. We are being placed in a position in which the Germans and powers-that-be in Brussels will essentially run the Department of Foreign Affairs. It is ironic that if I was to tell people in County Kerry and throughout the country on this, the anniversary of the signing of the treaty of 1921, that the Chancellor of the Exchequer in Westminster will have oversight of the Irish budget from here to eternity----- 

Senator John Gilroy:  That is the fault of the Fianna Fáil Party. 

Senator Ivana Bacik:  In that case, it should not have signed up to the IMF-EU deal. 

Senator Darragh O’Brien:  The current Government should not have amended it. 

An Cathaoirleach:  Please allow Senator Daly to continue without interruption. 

Senator Darragh O’Brien:  The Labour Party is cutting disability allowance for teenagers. Its Senators should be ashamed of themselves. They can sit there laughing all they like. 

Senator Mark Daly:  My colleagues have misinterpreted what I said. As we know, the EU-IMF bailout is a temporary measure. Other countries that have gone into such a programme, including the United Kingdom, have come out of it. The Government does not seem to have a counter-proposal to what will be proposed next Friday.

 Senator John Gilroy:  No proposal will be made next Friday. 

Senator Mark Daly:  I thank the Senator for admitting it. 

Senator John Gilroy:  There is no proposal. 

Senator Mark Daly:  There is no proposal. Ireland is not putting forward a proposal. 

Senator John Gilroy:  Where is Senator Daly’s proposal? 

Senator Mark Daly:  Germany and France are saying what they have agreed between themselves. 

Senator John Gilroy:  We should send Senator Daly over there to save us all. 

Senator Mark Daly:  They are asking the rest of us----- 

An Cathaoirleach: Does Senator Daly have a question for the Leader of the House? 

Senator Mark Daly:  Yes. I am asking the Leader to organise a debate on the lack of a reference to democracy during the debate on the euro. Democracy should be central. Europe is always telling us about the importance of decision-making. Decisions are now being made by bureaucrats. This week marks the 90th anniversary of a treaty that was agreed without consultation with the people. It led to dire consequences.