Thousands of students, protesting outside the Dáil this afternoon, heard that "mass non-payment" could follow if third-level fees were re-introduced.
Opposition parties attending the "Fight Fees" rally joined student representatives in calling for the Minister for Education, Mr Noel Dempsey, to make a definitive statement on the future of funding the education of third-level students.
Fine Gael education spokesperson, Ms Olwyn Enright backed calls by her party's youth wing to make 3rd level fees free for all.
"The present Fianna Fáil/Progressive Democrat Government has already increased college registration fees by 69 per cent and has abolished the student summer job scheme. It is clear that third level fees are their next target," she said.
Young Fine Gael (YFG) are also calling for the grants scheme to be replaced by an education assistance programme with allowances set at the same level as social welfare payments.
Their proposals for reforming the funding of third-level students' education are contained in a new policy document launched by YFG today.
Mr Colm Jordan of the Union of Students of Ireland (USI) warned of "mass non-payment" if fees were re-introduced.
"There is huge resistance to the introduction of college fees across the country.
We are warning the Government today that mass non-payment of fees is just one counter-measure that would be considered were they to be introduced," Mr Jordan said.
"We are also issuing a warning that the return of fees would send inflation in this country spiralling through the roof and would act as a serious threat to Partnership while seriously compromising the competitiveness of our economy," he said.
Students are also concerned about Minister Dempsey's approach to increasing third-level access to those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Last July, the minister increased top-up grants by 32 per cent and introduced other measures intended to increase third-level access for students from low-income families.
But he has also indicated his concern that universal free-fees has not improved access for the underprivileged and mooted the possibility that the re-introduction of fees for students from wealthy families would free up more resources to target the less well off.
USI Campaigns Officer, Mr Noel Hogan told the estimated 8,000 gathering that the Government "seriously underestimates the groundswell of anger at its lies and deceit since it entered into office".
"The Minister's mission statement is to provide a quality and equitable education system for all our citizens, not to secure savings for Charlie McCreevy's coffers. The sooner he begins to act on this statement the better for all concerned," Mr Hogan added.
Labour education spokesperson Ms Jan O'Sullivan said the minister should end the threat hanging over students and their parents by publicly stating there will not be a re-introduction of fees.
"Students are being treated as pawns by Dempsey and McCreevy et al on the chessboard that is the Government's fiscal policy. They are looking around for the next victim to carry the can for more cutbacks" she said.