Dear Galway First,
Much to my disgust and embarrassment, having just returned from my lunch time stroll around Eyre Square and seeing the students gathering to protest about the reintroduction of school fees, I thought it would be interesting to hear the objections/arguments that they might have.
Having spoken a few words to tell the students that the Government was "coming after them" they were then instructed to make a lot of noise and tell the Government what they thought of the idea. The female student representative then proceeded to instruct the gathering to tell the government to "F*** O**" loudly and persistently.
So I pay my tax so that a bunch of students, who may or may not have a valid point, can launch into infantile behaviour and use obscene language within the hearing of every person, family and tourists within a 150 yard radius?
I was left with the impression that whether we charge students or not, and yes, I use the word ‘WE’ as these young people seem to be under the impression that "the Government" is a separate entity to the community in which they live, these young people seem to be incapable of making any valid and knowledgeable argument.
I would like to point out to the young lady concerned that within a few years she will have left college, hopefully more articulate than she is now, and will become one of the taxpayers that has to shoulder the burden of higher education. I would like to think that when that time comes she will be able to produce a more coherent argument either for or against fees but at least able to put her point across in a more rational and erudite manor - otherwise I may feel that free higher education is completely pointless after all.
Yours etc,
Christine McNair,
Galway.
