THE rift in the Government over the return of third-level fees deepened yesterday as Tánaiste Mary Harney and Minister for Education Noel Dempsey stuck hard to their conflicting stances.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is luckier than most because, as he said himself, he was able to afford to educate one of his daughters in a private college.

STUDENT leaders have warned about the threat of militant action by protesters against the Government’s plans to re-introduce third-level fees.

The Union of Students in Ireland has claimed that the Government's abolition of the students' summer jobs scheme will lead to a rise in unemployment over the next few months.

A SERIES of protests in Dublin by students from across the country yesterday warned the Government any change to the college fees system will not be taken lightly.

Gardaí in Dublin have forcibly removed a number of college students who chained themselves to the railings outside the Dail today as part of a protest against plans to re-introduce third-level fees.

AN organisation sponsored by Ireland’s drinks industry yesterday launched a hard-hitting campaign aimed at encouraging moderation in drinking.

The Union of Students in Ireland has mounted a demonstration outside the the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs in Dublin to protest against cutbacks in the back-to-education allowance.

THE Government has delayed an announcement on third-level fees promised for this week, angering students.

The Union of Students in Ireland says it will fight the Minister for Education in the courts if he tries to re-introduce college fees.

THE question of student college fees will not be clarified by Education Minister Noel Dempsey this week, a spokesperson said last night.

STUDENTS could have to wait until the summer before knowing whether they face tuition fees for college next year.

IRISH youngsters are by far the most suicide-prone group in Europe, according to the Union of Students in Ireland (USI).

The Union of Students in Ireland has claimed that Irish students are more susceptible to suicide than their European counterparts.

Students representatives have said they have received assurances third level fees are unlikely to be re-introduced this year.

THOUSANDS of third-level students voiced their opposition to the re-introduction of tuition fees by marching to the Dáil yesterday.

Thousands of students are gathering at Mountjoy Square in Dublin this morning ahead of a mass anti-fees protest to the gates of the Dail.

The student summer job scheme is to be abolished due to government cutbacks.

BRINGING back college fees would mean only rich parents’ children could afford some third-level courses, a student leader warned yesterday as thousands protested in Dublin.

Student leaders have today accused the Government of lying to them.

Thousands of students are expected in Dublin at lunchtime for a demonstration outside the Dáil on Government cutbacks.

The Union of Students in Ireland is warning that the northwest is the region that will suffer most if college fees are re-introduced.

HEAVY persistent rain failed to dampen the generous spirit of thousands of students who turned out yesterday in towns and cities around the country to raise funds for the Chernobyl Children’s Project.

THOUSANDS of students brought their concern over funding of third level education to the streets in the first of a series of protests around the country yesterday.

BERTIE AHERN and Mary Harney yesterday ruled out the introduction of college fees in the lifetime of the Government.

THE reintroduction of college fees will isolate even more people from education, the Union of Students of Ireland warned yesterday.

IRATE students yesterday swapped their usual garb for what they labelled the new post-Sellafield disaster clothing range to highlight their concerns at having a nuclear plant so close to Ireland.

EDUCATION Minister Noel Dempsey was accused yesterday of breaking his promise to help disadvantaged students by slashing €36 million from his department’s budget.

THE Department of Education is examining methods of easing the burden of students who have difficulty paying the new registration fee of €670.

THOUSANDS of college students are under pressure to pay increased registration fees in the coming weeks while student leaders wait to discuss the issue with Education Minister Noel Dempsey.

AS a parent of two students attending UCC, our combined registration fee has spiralled from last year’s 792 to presently facing a ridiculous stinging of 1,454.

UP to 50,000 students will face delays of up to a month in receiving their maintenance grants at the start of the college year.

STUDENTS have warned the Government there will be a sharp fall-off in numbers attending third-level colleges due to soaring rents and lack of student accommodation.

THERE will significant drop in points for most courses this year as the number of school leavers hits a 10-year low.

STUDENTS have accused the Government of further cynical cutbacks after it emerged that the Department of Education originally intended to raise registration fees by just 6% — instead of the 69% increase announced last month.

Opposition parties have joined forces with the Union of Students in Ireland today in demanding the reversal of the 68% increase in third level registration fees from €394 to €670.

Leaving Cert students receiving their results next week may not be able to go to college even if they get enough points due to the hike in registration fees, according to the Union of Students in Ireland.

A SHARP increase in college registration charges could lead to some students failing to return for the new term, union leaders warned yesterday.

The Union of Students in Ireland has organised a demonstration in Dublin city centre today to protest against the Government's decision to increase third-level registration fees by 69%.

LORRAINE GALVIN and her sisters, Michelle, 19, and Claire, 24, will feel the record hike in college registration fees a lot harder than most.

HALF of the country's 122,000 students use drugs regularly, according to a survey by the Union of Students of Ireland.