“It is becoming clearer by the day that Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe is hell-bent on reintroducing third level tuition fees and Labour will fight tooth and nail to oppose any such proposals. Since Labour Education Minister Niamh Bhreathnach abolished fees in 1995, tens of thousands of people who would otherwise not have had the opportunity, have benefited from a third level education. Now Batt O’Keefe wants to wind back the clock. Fianna Fail has always been suspicious of the no-fee model of third level education, and they are now cynically taking advantage of the adverse situation in our public finances to bring back fees – something they’ve wanted to do for years. I take no comfort from claims by Minister O’Keeffe that fees will only by applied to those who can afford it. Minister O’Keefe’s view of who can afford to pay fees is probably very different to mine, and his view next year may be radically different to his view this year …” (more)
[Labour Party, 20 March]