Hayes misleading on university presidents' paycuts and college registration charge

The Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe TD, has described a statement today by Fine Gael's education spokesman, Brian Hayes TD, as misleading and opportunistic.

Minister O'Keeffe said: 'Deputy Hayes says I never formally or informally asked the seven university presidents to volunteer to take pay cuts.

'Yet, on several occasions, I publicily exhorted them to volunteer cuts to their salaries in the national interest.

'On Morning Ireland in March 2009,  I exhorted  the presidents to show leadership and volunteer to take salary cuts in the same way as department secretaries general did.

'And in the Irish Independent in September 2009, I urged the presidents to "show the way" in taking voluntary salary reductions.

'These are just two examples.

'On the registration charge, Deputy Hayes seems to believe he has uncovered significant new information - that it is a fee.

'It is, Deputy.

'And historically, colleges have expressed the view that the registration fee was not sufficient to cover the costs of providing student services.

'So the presidents' remarks to the Joint Committee are nothing new.'