Education minster Batt O’Keeffe announced the reintroduction of college fees which were abolished in the mid 1990s. Starting in 2010 this will mark the end of free third level education for tens of thousands of students. The plan is set to cause controversy resulting in widespread demonstrations and protests by students.

 Mr O’Keefe said lastnight that there were people in todays society who can well afford to pay fees or forward some kind of contribution to their third level education. Students will be allocated to pay the fees upfront at a discount rate, or start paying them through tax when they reach a certain income threshold.