Minister Batt O’Keefe, this week, made proposals to implement taxes on graduates and/or deferred- loans on students. The ICTU has followed the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) in rejecting these proposals. The USI, ICTU and IFUT all agree the return of Third Level fees, in any form, would be illogical and short-sighted. All organisations fully comprehend the awful repercussions that such systems will have on Ireland’s economy and the future prosperity of our country. Investment in education is the only way to ensure that when the recession ends, Ireland will be well-equipped to recover.

USI President Union, Peter Mannion, said: “We compliment all of the organisations of ICTU for debating this important issue and condemn Minister O’Keefe for playing politics with such an enormous decision like this. Maintaining and improving our current free Higher Education system will serve in the interest of justice and facilitate future economic recovery in Ireland. Meanwhile, the return of fees can only spell disaster for would-be Irish students. We look forward to joining forces with all other unions, groups and agencies in rejecting the Government’s plans to blast free Third Level education into oblivion.”

Ends

For further information, contact:

Peter Mannion, USI President: 086 0456992

Gillian Tsoi, USI Communications Officer: 01 7099300