The Taoiseach has indicated that those earning "several hundred thousand" euros per annum will have to pay third-level fees.
Mr Ahern added that "nobody is talking about bringing in fees for people on moderate or even on what most people would regard as high incomes. It does not make much sense."
Nonetheless there were "people who have incomes in excess of several hundred thousand euro who get free education and there are other people who live on welfare who cannot get access to education".
Later, outside the Dáil, the Minister for Education, confirming his intention to reintroduce fees by October, said it was not a case that people would be on the poverty line if they paid fees. It would "just mean that they won't be able to afford their second or third holiday". A review of third level funding is expected to be published in weeks.
In the Dáil the Taoiseach came under Opposition pressure about the reintroduction of college fees. He said the issue of access to higher level education had been around for a long time.
"Nobody is talking about taking away the rights of people on small or moderate incomes or even what would be considered high incomes. However as the Minister said there are inconsistencies in a situation where people who have enormous incomes and salaries, earned through shares and other means? (dot dot dot) should not benefit from education grants".
Labour leader Mr Pat Rabbitte in reference to Government pre-election promises said he did not recall "the Taoiseach, Deputy Noel Dempsey or Fianna Fáil campaigning to reintroduce third level fees. Will the Taoiseach, for the sake of parents whose children will sit examinations in two weeks, lift this uncertainty once and for all? What is the position?"
He said the Tanaiste had "tatty posters in third-level institutions" opposing the reintroduction of fees. Most Fianna Fáil backbenchers were engaged in "bringing both sides of the road with them. Half of them are for it and half of them are against it." He asked "does the Government intend to reintroduce fees for third level education. Anyone of us can give a half-baked sociological treatise. If he wants to put money into primary and pre-school education let him do that. If he wants to raise money from the high rollers whose tax exile has facilitated, he can do that."
The Taoiseach said in a sideswipe that Mr Rabbitte's questions indicated that he had decided in his new strategy "to neglect ordinary working class people and go for upper and middle class people".
