Ó Broin to contest NUI elections

“Sinn Féin’s Eoin Ó Broin, who narrowly missed out on a seat in the general election in Dublin Mid-West, is to go forward to the Seanad elections on the NUI Ireland list …” (more)

[Politics.ie, 3 March]

Party time: Sinn Féin

“Continuing with my posts examining higher education proposals by political parties in the Irish general election, let us have a look at what Sinn Féin has to offer …” (more)

[Ferdinand von Prondzynski, University Blog, 15 February]

Sinn Fein promises free education worth €70,000 for every child

“Sinn Fein last night claimed the cost of educating a child from junior infants through to college now stands at around €70,000 …” (more)

[Independent, 14 February]

Free education a ‘myth’ – SF

“Free education is a myth in Ireland, Sinn Féin claimed today. The party said it will focus on making schools and college more affordable for the least well off if given a mandate in the general election. Aengus Ó Snodaigh, outgoing Dublin South Central TD, said Sinn Féin would oppose third level fees …” (more)

[Irish Times, 13 February]

SF education policy promises free education for life, including third level

“Sinn Fein has today launched an educational policy which promises free education for life, including third level, to all Irish children, irrespective of their social background …” (more)

[Cork Student News, 13 February]

SF: Free education for every child, for life

“Sinn Féin has launched its education policy today, promising free education for every child for life, including third level, regardless of their socio-economic grouping …” (more)

[BreakingNews.ie, 13 February]

Sinn Féin’s Sue Ramsey – ‘We are the only party to oppose any increase in student fees in line with inflation in the Assembly’

“A chara, Sinn Féin’s position remains clear, we are opposed to student fees. In fact we are the only party to oppose any increase in student fees in line with inflation in the Assembly …” (more)

[The Gown, 1 February]

Unionists vanishing at QUB – poll

“Unionist parties now have the support of a tiny minority of students at Northern Ireland’s leading university, a new poll claims. Sinn Fein was by a distance the most popular party at Queen’s in Belfast according to the survey, which asked the voting intentions of final year students …” (more)

[News Letter, 14 April]

Education cutbacks must be halted

“Ógra Shinn Féin has called on the Government to give a guarantee on the commitment not to introduced registration fees for college students. The commitment was made after a dramatic negotiation between Fianna Fáil and the Green Party over the future of the Government. Dubbed ‘third level fees by stealth’, the registration increased from €900 to €1500 this year, leaving many students and their families struggling the make ends meet …” (more)

[Ógra Shinn Féin, 23 October]

Shame on Eamonn Ryan for Betraying Third Level Students – Doherty

“Responding to Green Party Minister Eamon Ryan’s comments that he would back the return of third level fees, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Education Pearse Doherty has described his comments as yet another reversal of Green Party policy and a betrayal of third level students across the state. Speaking today Senator Doherty said …” (more)

[Sinn Féin Blog, 13 July]

ITT should be given university status

“There have been renewed calls for Tralee’s Institute of Technology to be granted university status in a bid to boost employment in the region. Sinn Fein’s North Kerry Deputy Martin Ferris used a Dáil debate on job creation to reiterate his call for a university in Tralee, a move he believes would ease the jobs crisis in the county …” (more)

[The Kerryman, 8 July]

O’Keeffe in need of reality check – Doherty

“Speaking as Batt O’Keeffe prepared to present his proposals on college fees to the cabinet this week Sinn Féin Education Spokesperson Senator Pearse Doherty described as ‘ridiculous in the extreme’, the Minister’s notion that fees will not affect the less well off. Speaking today Senator Doherty said, ‘As predicted O’Keeffe has waited out the local and European elections before moving on his plans to reintroduce fees to third level students. As yet the Minister has given no indication of what mode of fees he intends to introduce …’” (more)

[Sinn Féin, 6 July]

SF wants jobless to be given free education without losing benefits

“Sinn Féin has called for the introduction of a ‘GI Bill’ along US lines whereby redundant workers would have education fees waived and retain their social welfare benefits while taking a course of study. Introduced by president Franklin D Roosevelt in 1944, the legislation provided college or vocational education for veterans (known as GIs or General Infantry) returning from the second World War as well as a year of unemployment benefit. The proposal was part of a 10-point May Day manifesto launched outside Leinster House yesterday …” (more)

[Deaglán de Bréadún, Irish Times, 2 May]

Ógra join with FEE to occupy Department of Finance

“On Thursday April 16th, members of FEE ‘Free Education for Everyone’ from UCD and NUIM, including some ÓSF members gathered at St Stephens Green in Dublin to discuss the planned direct action at the Dept of Finance that day. With more numbers gathered than expected, it was agreed that there could be an occupation coupled with the proposed blockade. Amongst those to volunteer to occupy inside where a number of ÓSF activists. After gaining access into the building the members proceeded to occupy the main staircase chanting ‘Students and workers unite to fight the cutbacks’ and ‘No cutbacks no fees, no Fianna Fáil TDs’ …” (more)

[Ógra Shinn Féin, 21 April]

‘Educate to be Free’ Forum in Dublin – Bígí Linn!

“Ógra Shinn Féin are hosting a forum on education next weekend as part of their current national campaign. The ‘Educate to be Free’ forum which is being held in The Teacher’s Club, Parnell Square, Dublin, on Saturday 25 April between 2 – 5pm will look at the main issues in Education across Ireland at present. As well as a talk on the issue of student fees, their will also be a video presentation on the campaign, and a debate on free education …” (more)

[Ógra Shinn Féin, 17 April]

‘Educate to be Free’ highlighted in NUI Maynooth

“Last Thursday witnessed a buzz of activity on the NUI Maynooth campus. Firstly members of Ógra Shinn Féin gathered at the main campus to highlight the educate to be free campaign. Flyers were handed out and activists were met with genuine enthusiasm by students. Later on that day Ógra joined members of the anti fees lobby ‘free education for everyone’ to distribute leaflets highlighting the gross income of the University President who along with his cohorts in the other universities are demanding a reintroduction to fees to plug gaps in third level budgets …” (more)

[Ógra Shinn Féin, 23 March]

Challenge drink culture but leave Rag Week alone, says Sinn Féin

“Withholding support for future Rag Week events is not the way to challenge the drink culture among students or in Galway generally. This is the view of Sinn Féin’s Galway City West candidate Tom Hanly after NUI, Galway withdrew its support for Rag Week after the events of last week. Mr Hanly believes that instead of withdrawing support for the festivities, the following should be done: ‘As soon as the new term begins, a recruitment process should be initiated, organised by the college authorities, gardaí, and community groups, with the aim of training stewards for the Rag Week event. These students should also be responsible for litter management within the city’ …” (more)

[Kernan Andrews, Galway Advertiser, 5 March]

‘Educate to be Free’ National day of action

“Ógra Shinn Féin are organizing for an ‘Educate to be Free’ National day of action, and they are urging maximum mobilization for the upcoming day, Wednesday 11th March 2009. The main issues of the ‘educate to be free’ campaign are; Irish language education, Primary education, Free education for everyone, Student empowerment and Non commercialization of education. Ógra are encouraging areas to localize the campaign and identify educational issues which the local populous can identify with, Ógra Cumann are asked to organize protests, public talks, information stalls, banner drops, leaflet drops and letter writing campaigns …” (more)

[Ógra Shinn Féin, 28 February]

Ógra Shinn Féin activist arrested in Galway protesting against Student Fees

“An Ógra Shinn Féin activist was arrested in Galway last night (Monday February 2nd) in ongoing protests against the introduction of Student Fees. Frankie Gallagher, an 18 year old Donegal student, attending NUIG, and a member of Ógra Shinn Féin was participating in a FEE (Free Education for Everyone) protest, opposing the visit of former Fianna Fáil Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s visit to the Galway campus …” (more)

[Ógra Shinn Féin, 3 February]

Ógra Shinn Féin calls for Solidarity with Student March Against Fees

“Ógra Shinn Féin has called for Irish citizens north and south, young and old, to support students in the 26 counties in their opposition to the introduction of student fees by joining USI’s national march and rally in Dublin next Wednesday February 4th. The march, beginning at the Garden of Remembrance at 1.30pm, is expected to mobilise thousands of students …” (more)

[Ógra Shinn Féin, 30 January]