Labour Youth hits campuses

Posted on September 16, 2008 at 02:29 PM

This week we have launched a major campaign encouraging young people and students to get involved in the Labour Party. Stands are been set up in colleges around the country with information about Labour, Labour Youth and our campaign to stop the re-introduction of fees.

The Labour Party abolished third level fees while in Government in the early 90s and our members played a leading role on both campuses and in the Dáil to stop their reintroduction in 2003. This campaign was successful and saw a major climb down by the government parties. More recently Labour Youth has spear headed the campaign against the re-introduction of fees organising a protest outside the Department of Education in co-operation with the Union of Students in Ireland.

As Deputy Michael D Higgins has stated "The fundamental difference between Labour's position and that of the present government is the priority we in Labour gives to the requirement of citizenship defining the relationship between state, economy and society. Any plan to reintroduce third level fees would create a further roadblock to the creation of a more equal society."

Ruairi Quinn TD, Education Spokesperson speaking on the reintroduction of fees said: "Is it not important that our education system allows our citizens to progress as far as their talen will take them, and that there should be arbitraty cap on their knowledge? Education is a right that comes with citizenship - not a conditional right that sifts richer from poorer citizens. This is as true for a third-level education as it is for primary and second level."

You can find out more about Labour Youth's No to College Fees campaign on their website. If you are a student and would like to get involved you can find contact details for Labour on your campus at this link. Alternatively you can contact Labour Youth using this web form.

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