Labour opposition to third-level fees softens

LABOUR’S iron-fisted opposition to college fees has softened with an acceptance that third-level charges are necessary and inescapable at the moment.

The party yesterday launched a series of proposals to tackle literacy, improve school conditions and reverse recent budget cuts in education.

But education spokesman Ruairi Quinn admitted the party was standing down, at least for the moment, from its long-term fight against college fees.