Students in fee increase protest at FF HQ

Student protestors have handcuffed themselves to the railings outside Fianna Fail headquarters in Dublin to highlight their anger at the Government’s decision to raise registration fees by 69%.

The Union of Students in Ireland said Education Minister Noel Dempsey has refused to discuss the issue with student representatives.

Spokesman Brendan Ferron said: "This is a burden which is going to be borne by parents, it’s a burden which, in the long run, will be borne by industry.

"We’re not a country that competes on costs, we’re a country that competes on our skills and our ability to compete on our skills is greatly being diminished by this Government."