Students Call For 'Continuous Protest'

A member of a student protest group has called for a "continuous campaign" to show the government that education is "a right, and shouldn’t be a privilege".

Speaking during Wednesday's protests against student fees in Dublin, Derek Mckenna, a spokesperson for Free Education for Everyone (FEE) told popular student issues website Studenty.me that what students really wanted was to achieve a sustainable grant system.

"There should be a continuous campaign to show the government that education is a right, and shouldn’t be a privilege for certain people who can pay," Mr McKenna said.

The Studenty.me report from the heart of the protest also quoted DIT student, Judi, who said the expected introduction of fees was bringing "class into education again".

"People from lower middle class and working class areas won’t get the same opportunities to move forward with their education."

The website also posted footage by their journalist, Carmel Sayers, from within the 10,000 strong protest as it marched through Dublin to government buildings on Wednesday afternoon.

The video is under the post, 'Student Protest: Footage From Ground Zero'.

On Thursday morning, Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin described the Government’s refusal to state their plans for student charges and third level fees as "deeply cynical".

Speaking during Leaders' Questions in the Dáil today, Deputy Martin said: “These students are deeply concerned about their future, about the Government's plans, its commitments and promises. They need answers and they need clarity.

"In advance of the general election the Tánaiste and his party made very clear commitments. The Minister for Education and Skills Deputy Ruairí Quinn brazenly went to Trinity College four days before the election to sign the USI pledge on fees as did the Tánaiste."

Mr Martin added that during the election campaign, Minister Quinn promised to reverse a €500 increase in the student services charge.

"The Labour Party was opposed, he said, to third level fees either by the front or back door," the Fianna Fail leader said.

(DW)