Yes minister, it is a climbdown

EDUCATION Minister Noel Dempsey and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern yesterday dramatically caved in to the Progressive Democrats’ demands that college fees would not return.

Tánaiste Mary Harney crucially came up with the €12 million needed to fund Mr Dempsey’s package for disadvantaged students this year and force the embarrassing climbdown.

To the relief of the 62,000 students sitting the Leaving Cert next week and their families, the minister confirmed fees were off the agenda and the €42 million package has been guaranteed for next year.