What student protesters said.
"I think it shows the depth of indignation among students about the reintroduction of third-level fees through the back door."
- Hugh O'Sullivan, education officer, Trinity College Students Union.
"I'm going to tell my TD that we think this is ridiculous and that if this goes ahead there are going to be fewer people attending college and more taking out student loans."
- Rebecca Leech, National College of Art and Design.
"The average student spends between €10,000 and €12,000 a year on college alone and it is outrageous to expect them to spend more money on fees. Education should be a right, not a privilege."
- Eoin Bolger, president, St Patrick's College.
"I am extremely disappointed with the planned cuts in education announced in the Budget. I have asked for a meeting with the Minister for Education to bring home to him the severity that these cuts will have on the students of our country."
- Jackie Healy-Rae TD
"I know that a lot of my friends are on grant schemes and they wouldn't be able to afford to pay fees and would have to drop out."
- Louise Barry, student, National College of Art and Design
"I stand here today to demand a reversal of the savage attacks the Government has made on the students of Ireland in its Budget."
- Senator Pearse Doherty, Sinn Féin
STEVEN CARROLL