asked the Minister for Education if the Higher Education Authority was consulted about the recent decision to increase substantially university fees for first year students in 1979-80, if not, why, and if he will make a statement on the matter.

In connection with the preparation of the public estimates of expenditure for 1979 the Higher Education Authority made proposals in regard to financial provision for the universities and other institutions designated for the purpose of the Higher Education Authority Act, 1971. The authority also furnished observations on paragraph 7.33 in the Green Paper Development for Full Employment in which reference was made to the fees charged to students in third level educational institutions.

Consultation further than this is not feasible in the case of decisions being made by the Government in the context of the annual budget.

The proposed fee increase for first year students for 1979-80 is savage. Would the Minister not agree that it would be a discouragement to many people, not only working class people but middle class people who do not live in Dublin and who may not be in a position to be eligible for higher education grants, as regards sending their children to university? They will not be able to afford it and the Minister is aware of that.

That is argument.

Would the Minister not agree that the Government's action in this regard is an explicit rejection of the advice and comments of the Higher Education Authority on that section of the Green Paper?

I would not agree. The Government are not bound by advice given by the HEA. There is an obligation to consult the HEA in matters relating to third level education.

Does the Minister believe that statutory obligation was adequately fulfilled by the process that he has described to us in his answer?

The Minister does, yes. The Deputy will be aware that I did refer to the obligations attaching to discussion of a budget.