Hi °C | Lo °C TAOISEACH Enda Kenny has been told by a string of his backbenchers he must stop Education Minister Ruairi Quinn's plans to include farm and business assets in the means test for college grants
A meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party heard calls for Mr Quinn's plans to "be nipped in the bud", but Mr Kenny, who attended the meeting, gave no response.
Waterford TD John Deasy voiced his opposition at last night's meeting and was backed up in his calls by TDs John Paul-Phelan, Tom Hayes, Tony McLoughlin and Joe McHugh, while Dublin TDs Paschal Donohoe and Peter Mathews said self-employed people and not just farmers are affected.
Mr Deasy said a "nail needed to be put in this for good" – adding that Fine Gael had to stop this "Labour issue". Mr Phelan said it is unfair to judge eligibility for the grants on anything other than income.
Party chairman Charlie Flanagan also said he is concerned about the proposals, but insisted it was a government issue rather than a party one.
Irish Independent
