Third-level fees - Reality can be bitter

LIKE so very many others Environment Minister and Green Party leader John Gormley seems to have toadjust his aspirations to match our new reality.

Just two years ago his party’s education policies were central to its 2007 election manifesto and included the pledge that it would not support third-level fees. This was reiterated at its conference just two months ago. However, Mr Gormley must face imminent proposals from Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe to re-impose some sort of fee. Whether this is realpolitik or a capitulation is subjective, but it seems certain that what was once considered ideal – free third-level education and so many other socially progressive measures – no longer seems sustainable.

Reality can be a bitter pill to swallow, but swallowing may be easier than surrendering power. Mr Gormley may find that, like in so many other spheres of life, politics does not offer a free education either.