By Caitriona Murphy, Aine Pennello
The threat to double the registration fee has subsided, following protests led by students this month.In an article published in the Irish Times following the student marches, a rise to €3000 was ruled “off the agenda”.
Paul Gogarty, Green Party education spokesman, stated that “This year, in the light of the huge economic pressures we face, a rise is unavoidable. But talk of an increase to €3000, or even €2500, is untenable and would have an immediate negative impact on student participation and on struggling families already hit in other ways. We believe that €2,000 is a more realistic figure. And even that will hurt.”
The change in tone followed a protest held by students in Dublin on November 3rd. USI claimed that up to 40,000 students attended the march, whilst other sources including Gardai quoted a more conservative figure of 25,000.
Trinity students gathered in Front Square wearing face paint, USI T-shirts and carrying posters and banners. Students followed SU President Nikolai Trigoub-Rotnem out Front Gate and up Parnell Street where they liased with thousands more students from across the country. The march then proceded to the Dáil, escorted by Garda on horseback. At the Dáil students listened to speakers from the USI and songs were played with the lyrics changed, including Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab”, with words changed to “They tried to put up our reg fee but we say ‘No,no,no”. A splinter group from the march proceded to the Department of Finance where the scenes of violence between students and Gardaí took place that were broadcast across the country.
USI President Gary Redmond later stressed that “This anti-social behaviour was completely separate from USI’s protest.” His comments and disassociation with the protestors involved in the sit-in led many College Student Unions to debate their affiliation to the USI. One Facebook group, believed to be back by the Socialist workers party, stated that Redmond was “a disgrace to the office of President of the USI and its members”.
At the TCDSU Council meeting last week, President Nikolai Trigoub-Rotnem defended the USI, stating that “if you see Gary Redmond or Cónán Ó Broin walking across campus wearing suits, it’s because they’re walking to the Dáil to defend students’ interests.”
Trigoub-Rotnem confirmed that no TCD students had been injured during the march and that it had provided a drive of “over 700 students” registering to vote.
A second protest entitled “Peaceful Protest Against Garda Brutality’ took place on 10 November, where students were joined by trade unionists and Socialist worker party members.
A third march against the registration fee held in Galway was attended by 1000 students and proceded peacefully through Galway city.impact on student participation and on struggling families already hit in other ways.We believe that €2000 is a more realistic figure. And even that will hurt.”
The change followed a protest held by students in Dublin on November 3. USI claimed that up to 40,000 students attended the march, whilst other sources including Gardaí quoted a more conservative figure of 25,000.
Trinity students gathered in Front Square wearing face paint, USI t-shirts and carrying posters and banners. Students followed SU President Nikolai Trigoub-Rotnem out the Front Gate and up Parnell Street where they met with thousands more students from across the country. The march then proceded to the Dáil, escorted by Garda on horseback. At the Dáil students listened to speakers from the USI and songs were played.
A splinter group from the march proceded to the Department of Finance where scenes of violence between students and Gardai took place.
USI President Gary Redmond later stressed that “this anti-social behaviour was completely separate from USI’s protest.” His comments led several college SUs to debate their affiliation to the USI. One Facebook group stated that Redmond was “a disgrace to the office of President of the USI and its members”. At the TCDSU Council meeting last week, Trigoub-Rotnem defended the USI, saying that “if you see Gary Redmond or Cónán Ó Broin walking across campus wearing suits, it’s because they’re walking to the Dáil to defend students’ interests.”
Trigoub-Rotnem confirmed that no Trinity students had been injured during the march.
