Return of third-level fees to face legal challenge
Government plans to introduce new third-level charges will face a legal challenge, the Irish Independent can reveal.
Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe plans to end free third-level education from 2010.
However, this year's Leaving Cert students will also be affected. He says they will not be exempt and will be required to pay a contribution from next year onwards.
But top legal advice obtained by the Union of Students in Ireland says charging up to 40,000 students who enrol in September would be illegal.
"The advice states clearly that students who have already applied for and accepted a place this coming September are deemed to be doing so under the existing free-fees policy" said USI president Shane Kelly. "We will take legal action if necessary to ensure that students enrolling in September will not be penalised."
This would take the form of an injunction or, if necessary, a test case in the courts next year.
In the meantime, the union is stepping up its campaign against the ending of free third-level education for all. Further demonstrations are expected.
Mr Kelly said introducing a contribution would inevitably force thousands of students out of higher education and onto the social welfare queues.
Scapegoats
"Higher education in Ireland is already one of the most expensive in Europe. The students and parents of this country will not be held responsible or be made scapegoats for a decade of under-investment in our education system," he said.
Both the Labour Party and Sinn Fein came out strongly against the plans.
Labour's Ruairi Quinn said: "Batt O'Keeffe 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... Labour will fight tooth and nail to oppose any such proposals".
Senator Pearse Doherty of Sinn Fein described the plan as an unwarranted attack on the right to higher education. "We will not accept the reintroduction of third-level fees under any guise," he added.
Meanwhile, the Young Greens called for the issue of third-level funding to be considered by the newly established National Strategy on Higher Education group. Chairperson Barra Roantree said: "Fees won't plug the exchequer deficit and are being rushed through without consultation."
- John Walshe and Fionnan Sheahan
