More than 6,000 students protested boisterously in Limerick and Tralee yesterday. They were protesting about the rise in the university student registration fee and suggestions by the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, that third-level tuition fees could be re-introduced.
The demonstrations involved thousands of students walking out of their lectures as part of a co-ordinated protest. They followed the recent occupation by students of the Department in Dublin.
Mr Colm Jordan, president of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI), said the protests sent a clear message to Mr Dempsey that they would not allow the Government to subject students to cutbacks.
"Too many students are in dire financial straits over the increased registration fee, and having to rent in the black market, for any celebration.
"They are instead issuing a statement of intent - students will continue to fight for everybody's right to an education that is free."
Mr Jordan said USI and other student groups has four main demands: A better grant for more students; more student purpose accommodation; a free education for everybody by removal of the registration fee; and the return of the medical card to students.
Mr Mike Quinn, president of Mary Immaculate College students' union in Limerick, said: "Failure to invest properly in students is a failure to invest properly in the future of the country."
Mr John Vahey, president of the students' union at the Institute of Technology Tralee, said: "Education is a passport to a better future, yet the student grant of €14 - €70 per week puts this out of the reach of too many people."