“The first thing that must be stated on this issue is why it has arisen. The reason is that it has become perfectly clear that Irish Universities need more funding. With Irish funding levels amongst the lowest in the OECD, all sides are agreed that there is a problem that needs dealing with. There is clearly an enormous funding hole here. So what’s to be done? The typical SF kneejerk reaction was ‘pay for it all through a progressive taxation system’. Which is very nice. But not living in the real world. The reality is that at this moment in time we are having enough trouble paying for our ordinary public services at this moment in time …” (more)
[Blissett, Ógra Shinn Féin, 2 December]