The Government parties have been accused of using their public spat over the issues of third-level fees as a "smokescreen" to hide their real agenda, the introduction of student loans.
The Labour Party, the Greens and the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) have all attacked Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats over the mooted proposal by the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, to charge wealthy families up to €8,000 to send a child on to third-level education.
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The Tánaiste and Progressive Democrats leader Ms Harney openly criticised Mr Dempsey yesterday, comparing his plans to the ill-fated 1980s property tax. "Even though it affected relatively few people, a lot of people became scared as a result," she said. "It would have been better if we had the discussion internally before we start debating the matter in public."
But in an interview with the Westmeath ExaminerMr Dempsey said he would be looking for Cabinet support: "I did it in my previous existence. I'll do it in this as long as I am left in office. It is up to the Government then to make a collective decision."
The Taoiseach refused in the Dáil this morning to rule out the re-introduction of fees, despite increasing pressure from Opposition parties. Mr Ahern said he believed students whose parents were on large incomes should have to pay, pointing out that there were thousands of people earning €100,000 and more and "pay nothing". "I don't think that's right," he said.
But the Labour leader Mr Pat Rabbitte argued that the fees dispute was a mere "smokescreen" to mask the introduction of student loans. This would lead to a "brain-drain" from Ireland of students unable to afford the cost, as had happened in Australia when the government there introduced a similar scheme. Labour abolished fees when it was in the Rainbow Government in the early 1990s.
Labour released its policy document on third-level education today, in which the party's education spokeswoman, Ms Jan O'Sullivan, said Labour believes in State-funded and universal education at primary, secondary and third level. She said the abolition of fees has succeeded in increasing the numbers who can access third level education.
The Green Party leader Mr Trevor Sargent demanded a Dáil debate on the issue. Describing the current public disagreements between Fianna Fáil and the PDs as a "phoney war", Mr Sargent said it was "a distraction from the real plan, which is to make students take out loans."
Mr Colm Jordan, USI president, said the row was an "elaborate pantomime" and speculated that Mr Ahern was poised to "conjure up a loans system" in the face of the criticism. "Presented as the best of a bad bunch, loans will then go on to ruin out society and economy," he claimed.
USI members staged a 20-hour occupation at the Department of Transport on Clare Street yesterday to draw attention to its opposition to the re-introduction of college fees.
The Seanad is scheduled to debate an Opposition motion opposing the reintroduction of fees tonight.
Earlier, Government chief whip Ms Mary Hanafin said there should be clarity on the proposal in the run-up to the Leaving Certificate which begins next month.
It is unclear if those sitting the exam in June will have to pay fees if they successfully apply for third-level education.
"I would be in favour of saying that people sitting their exams next month will not face fees," she told The Irish Timeslast night.