Gardaí remove protesting students

Gardaí in Dublin have forcibly removed a number of college students who chained themselves to the railings outside the Dail today as part of a protest against plans to re-introduce third-level fees.

Another group of students has also occupied the lobby of the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs in Dublin to protest at Government cutbacks in the Back to Education allowance.

USI president Colm Jordan said the protestors were left with no option but to make their views known in this way due to the Government's refusal to enter into discussions on the issue of college fees.

"There's no consultation happening," he said. "One man [Education Minister Noel Dempsey] is on a solo-run to destroy this country's educational future."