Local TD's Should Clarify Position on Third Level Fees

Sinn Féin's spokesperson in East Meath Sinéad Burke has called onthree local TD's to clarify there positions on the re-introduction ofthird level fees following the publication of the results of a suveycarried out by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI).
She said, "I was amazed to read that the three TD's elected torepresent the concerns of the people of East Meath couldn't articulatean honest position between them. In response to the survey carried outby the USI to coincide with the release of the Leaving Cert resultsthe TD's in East Meath either didn't respond (Shane McEntee), refusedto state their position (Mary Wallace), or said that the issue shouldbe debated (Thomas Byrne).
"I think the constituents of East Meath, particularly those parentsfaced with the real possibility of having yet another bill facing themhave a right to know what our elected representatives actually standfor. The four Sinn Féin TD's stated, unambiguously, their oppositionto the re-introduction of fees.
“With just one in five students choosing to apply for third leveleducation it is clear that the Government’s decision to re-introducethird level fees is already having an impact.
“It is hypocritical in the extreme for the Government to, one the onehand, promote the creation of a knowledge-based economy, while on theother they introduce a major deterrent to students wishing to go on tothird level education.
“The reality of Batt O’Keeffe’s decision to re-introduce third levelfees is that thousands of students will be priced out of third leveleducation while those who do go on to study will find themselves indebt to the tune of tens of thousands of euros on completion of theireducation.
“Education is the cornerstone of this country’s economic future. Weface uncertain times as traditional employment sectors such asmanufacturing and construction are in steady decline. The decision tore-introduce third level fees is a regressive move which makes noeconomic, political or social sense.”