Gormley refuses to rule out fees

GREEN Party leader and Environment Minister John Gormley has refused to rule out imminent proposals for the Government to bring back third level fees despite his party’s opposition to any such move.

Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe will bring a range of proposed changes to the free fees scheme to Mr Gormley and other Cabinet colleagues in the coming weeks, and will make a recommendation to them based on their responses.

The Green Party’s education policies, which formed a major part of its 2007 general election manifesto, included a promise it would not support any return of fees. This commitment was backed by delegates at the party’s conference two months ago.