Madam, - The Department of Education recently decided to waive university fees only for students from EU accession countries who commence their studies from the forthcoming academic year (2004-5) onwards.
A recent meeting of the Council of Convocation of the National University of Ireland condemned this policy. The council believes that, apart from the fact that this policy discriminates against students from EU accession countries who began their studies in Irish universities before accession, it sends a negative signal to the accession countries.
Given that EU accession for these countries required a second constitutional referendum in Ireland, the council felt that this was a wasted opportunity for the Government to welcome our new fellow EU citizens.
Since the number of students affected cannot be so great that significant savings will be made as a result of this policy, it seems like penny-pinching in a context where the cost to the students is so burdensome.
Can the Government not find the money somewhere to reverse this decision? - Yours, etc.,
LINDA O'SHEA FARREN, Chairman of Convocation of the National University of Ireland, Merrion Square, Dublin 2.