Nine NUI Maynooth students are this morning entering the third day of their occupation of the constituency office of Kildare TD Anthony Lawlor in Naas.
The students, there all of whom are male, began their occupation on Friday evening and say they have enough supplies to last a week. The group say they will remain in the office until Mr. Lawlor, a Fine Gael TD, agrees to vote against this week’s budget if it includes any increase in the student contribution or cut to the maintenance grant.
The TD said he does not want to get the Gardaí involved as it could damage future career prospects for the students involved.
The protest follows two brief occupation attempts last week by USI and FEE. More small-scale student protests are expected as the budget approaches.
The Sunday Business Post has today reported that this weeks budget will see an increase in the student contribution of €250 a year for the next four years and a student loan system replacing the grant for postgraduate students.
The Taoiseach will address the nation tonight live on RTÉ One after the Nine O’Clock News. Kenny is expected to focus on this week’s budget and the euro crisis in his address.
Donie O’Sullivan
donie@collegetribune
WATCH: NUI Maynooth Students’ Union President Rob Munnelly confronts Anthony Lawlor TD outside the TD’s constituency office on “Kildare TV.”
fair play to the college tribune for covering this. very suprised this hasn’t been covered in the national media. if this was happening in dublin it would be all over the papers.. speaking of which why isnt it beeing done by students in dublin?????????????