The Fianna Fáil backbench TD, Mr Conor Lenihan, has come out against proposals to reintroduce third-level fees, describing the idea as an attack on lower-income families.
Mr Lenihan, speaking yesterday to students at the Institute of Technology, Tallaght,Dublin, said he would oppose the idea inside Fianna Fáil and was hoping to have talks on the matter with the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, as soon as possible.
"I am utterly opposed to their reintroduction. I have spoken against the idea within Fianna Fáil before and I will again."
He said hundreds of parents had managed to send their children to third-level during the years in which fees had been abolished. He said these parents were in employment and consequently would not qualify for a grant. If fees were reintroduced they would be caught in the net.
He said the best way to tackle disadvantage would be to put money and resources into the primary and secondary systems.
"I think the reintroduction of fees would send out a very bad signal to lower-income families. Particularly at a time when we are seeing increasing numbers of young people getting a chance at third level, in places like the Institute here at Tallaght."
Mr Lenihan was speaking during freshers' week at the college. He initially received a hostile reception from some students, but after telling them of his position he was received slightly more warmly.