Student marchers vow to fight fees

Around 15,000 students descended on Government Buildings today with impassioned pleas to resist university fee hikes.

The third-level demonstrators, bussed in from across the country, joined the march from Dublin’s Parnell Square to Merrion Street.

Emotional chants of “Ruairi Quinn, keep your promise, Eamon Gilmore keep your promise, Enda Kenny keep your promise” and “No ifs, no buts, no education cuts” were led by Union of Students in Ireland (USI) president Gary Redmond.

Students waved their placards and banged drums while Mr Redmond took to a stage erected outside the Department of An Taoiseach building.

“We will not let you destroy our country,” bellowed Mr Redmond. “We will fight tooth and nail.”

Amid fears that fees will be increased in the upcoming Budget, the student leader accused Fine Gael and Labour of going back on pre-election pledges to protect students and education.

“During the election campaign you were quite happy to tell us your policies on education. Why are you so quiet now?” he shouted.

“Was it a cynical ploy to get our votes? Or did you really mean it? If you meant it, let’s see where you are now and let’s see what you’re made of.”

Mr Redmond said protesting students had been accused of not wanting to contribute to Ireland’s recovery.

“Well let us send this message loud and clear: We want to contribute, we want to play our part and we want to rebuild this country,” he roared.

“It’s only through investment in education, investing in life-long learning that we’ll continue to create employment and continue back on the road to economic recovery.”

Students cheered and thrust their placards in response to Mr Redmond’s charge.

One of them, Michael Gallagher, a postgraduate student from Donegal, told the crowd that his parents have already emigrated to Australia and that he may be forced to follow them.

“A one-way ticket to Australia will be cheaper than my fees,” he roared.

A sign made by a student from the National College of Art and Design read: “I’ve got 99 problems and the fees are one.”

Others read “Fees are for thieves”, and “Not cool”.

Political figures peered through the windows of Government Buildings as the crowds clamoured in defiance.

But in a far cry from last year’s protest, that saw a number of protesters arrested and Garda officers accused of police brutality, today’s demonstration went off without disorder.

A senior Garda figure described the crowd as “impeccably behaved” and praised the stewards for their efforts in maintaining calm.

In an emotional declaration to the chanting crowd, Institute of Technology Tralee student Amy Jackman described how she was forced to work three jobs while studying last year as a result of the 2010 hike in registration fees.

“I’m really lucky, as are all of you, to be able to set foot inside a college,” her voice rang across the speakers.

“But this luck is going to run out very shortly if these fees go up.”

UCD student Cian Dowling warned that at least half the country’s students will not be able to survive if the maintenance grant – the sole income of many – is cut in the looming Budget.