Opposition resumes Dail focus on third-level fees

The Tanaiste, Mary Harney, has reiterated the Government's intention to "bring clarity" to the issue of third-level fees before the Leaving Cert exams get underway next month.

Ms Harney was responding to questions in the Dail from Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, who demanded a debate on Fianna Fail plans to re-introduce third-level fees for "wealthy" families.

Yesterday, the Union of Students in Ireland and the Labour Party claimed that the row over the re-introduction of fees was a smokescreen designed to pave the way for a student loan scheme to replace the current system of free college fees.

The two groups said the fees debate was carefully manipulated to allow the Government to pass the student loan scheme off as a compromise.