Lectures at the two largest colleges in the west were seriously disrupted yesterday as about 6,500 students protested against the possible reintroduction of third-level fees.
The students, from NUI Galway and Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, took over a large section of Eyre Square in Galway city to protest about the fees issue and the 70 per cent rise in registration charges announced by the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, during the summer.
Text messages were sent around the two colleges to alert students to leave their lectures and join the protest. For most of yesterday afternoon students went "on strike" and refused to return to lectures.
Mr Dave McCoy, president of the students union at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, said the organisers were very happy with the turnout.
He said the rise in the registration charge had caused a significant increase in the number of students going before college hardship and finance committees.
"Both parents and students alike are now increasingly worried about the possible fee increases and charges in the coming months," Mr McCoy said.
"The increasing ignorance of Minister Noel Dempsey and his cohorts in government in relation to the plight of third-level students has left students in the west in an untenable position. The scaremongering in relation to the reintroduction of third- level fees has left students angry and annoyed," he added.
The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) called on the Taoiseach to clarify his post-Nice position on college fees.
USI said it was concerned the Taoiseach's recent statement that fees would not be reintroduced in the lifetime of this Government was "simply a ploy to boost his public opinion ratings while seeking a Yes vote in last month's referendum".
Mr Colm Jordan, president of USI, said: "Unfortunately, politicians in this country have a tendency to say one thing before polling day and the complete opposite the next.
"Prior to the Nice Referendum, the Taoiseach made a statement to the effect that fees would not be reintroduced in the lifetime of the current Government.
"We have delivered a letter to the Taoiseach requesting that he confirm that this is still the case, and by extension that he is a man of his word."