Sir, - The question of university fees is not in the news at present, but I predict a renewed debate in the near future.
The effect of Mr Blair's reforms in Britain (whereby students are charged a means-tested £1,000 a year in fees) will be that increased numbers of well qualified British students will seek entry to Ireland's most prestigious universities, notably TCD, where education is free. Ironically, the abolition of fees under Niamh Bhreathnach will result in Irish students losing places to their British counterparts, an outcome which no-one intended. - Yours, etc.,
Ben Keatinge,
(Postgraduate student, TCD), Marino Avenue East, Killiney, Co Dublin.