Students gather for anti-fees protest

Thousands of students are gathering at Mountjoy Square in Dublin this morning ahead of a mass anti-fees protest to the gates of the Dail.

The students, from every corner of the country, are angry at suggestions that college fees may be reintroduced. Such a move would follow last year's 69% hike in registration fees.

USI President, Colm Jordan, is hoping public support will sway the Government away from what would be a drastic move for the students.

"Students are not a trade union so they can't go on strike. They are not a big business so we cannot withdraw investment but what we can do is when our negotiating fails is take it out on to the streets and drag this issue into the court of public opinion and try it there.

"I believe that anybody who believes in the future of this economy will believe in an investment in third level education and the massive rewards it has brought this economy and will continue to bring."