Under-fire Dempsey stands firm on fees plan

EDUCATION MINISTER Noel Dempsey is pressing ahead with his third-level fees plans, despite growing opposition from the Progressive Democrats and within Fianna Fáil.

The minister yesterday told the Cabinet he will bring forward proposals in the next fortnight arising from his review of third-level fees and grants. But the chances of the Government going ahead with the plan look increasingly unlikely as the Tánaiste warned her Coalition partners that springing proposals like this was not good for its stability.

Meanwhile, the Consumers’ Association of Ireland warned that families will have to remortgage their homes if third-level fees are reintroduced. Parents could be hit with bills in the region of €11,000 per child going to college, based only on minimum degree course fees of €4,000, maintenance and registration bills if the Government decides to bring back the fees that were abolished in 1995.

The Taoiseach again refused to give his personal views on whether fees should return or not as the opposition parties put pressure on him to end the speculation. Mr Ahern said if the Government proceeded to reintroduce fees it would be highly unlikely that a large number of middle class families will end up paying them.

“The Government will make its decision when the review has been fully carried out,” he said.

Speaking in Brussels, where she was honoured by the Taxpayers Association of Europe for her work in reducing taxation levels in Ireland, Ms Harney criticised Mr Dempsey for not briefing Cabinet colleagues on his intentions sooner.

“It would be better to have had the discussion internally first. This is not good for the cohesion of the Government and causes a lot of confusion in families,” she said.

Last night, PD Junior Minister Tim O’Malley dismissed the proposed return of fees, saying there was no agreementbetween the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste on the issue. “It won’t happen. That is my view,” he said.

Fianna Fáil parliamentary party chairman Seamus Kirk said a significant number of FF TDs and Senators are generally opposed to the return of fees. According to a survey of FF backbenchers by RTÉ's Prime Time, the party is split right down the middle on the issue with 18 in favour and 10 against their return. Among the FF TDs against the proposal are Noel O’Flynn from Cork North-Central, Batt O’Keeffe from Cork South-Central, John Maloney from Laois-Offaly, Beverley Cooper-Flynn from Mayo and Conor Lenihan from Dublin South West. Government Chief Whip Mary Hanafin, representing Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, is also understood to be opposed to the proposal.

Ms Hanafin last night said that in fairness to parents and children, it was important that the issue be cleared up before the Leaving Certificate exams begin next month.

“I believe it should be clarified before the start of the exams,” she said.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the Taoiseach needed to end the speculation while Labour leader Pat Rabbitte said Mr Ahern needed to show leadership and put an end to the continuing uncertainty.