Students 'chained to poverty' over fees hike

A group of students chained themselves to railings at Fianna Fáil headquarters in Dublin today over the Government¿s decision…

A group of students chained themselves to railings at Fianna Fáil headquarters in Dublin today over the Government¿s decision to increase registration fees.

The protest was organised by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) and began at 11 o'clock. It is due to end just after 3.30 p.m. lasting 274 minutes in total or a minute for every euro the registration fee was increased by.

USI president Mr Colm Jordan said: "The Government has chained students to poverty with its actions in recent months, and today's actions are a symbol of this."

The USI warned the Minister for education, Mr Noel Dempsey, actions will escalate in the coming weeks unless he is willing to respect their request for a meeting.

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A spokesperson for the Minister said he is due to meet a number of education groups, including the USI, over the coming months.

Luke Cassidy

Luke Cassidy

Luke Cassidy is Digital Production Editor of The Irish Times