College fees might return – but Greens will pay the price

ON most journeys a green light signals forward momentum – for this government it usually just means another U-turn by John Gormley and Co.

The latest casting aside of a once-cherished principle by the junior coalition party appears to be the re-introduction of tuition fees in one form or another.

Despite a manifesto pledge to oppose the return of third-level charges, Energy Minister Eamon Ryan signalled the likely shift which could see graduates saddled with an average debt of €21,000 to be paid back when their incomes reach a certain level. The move is bound to trigger controversy at a special party conference this Saturday at which grassroots activists were already expected to express concern about the Greens’ direction in the wake of the near wipe-out at local level.