- Culture
- 20 Oct 16
The USI President made the speech at the rally which opposed the increase in student fees.
"Education is a right not a privilege," said USI president Annie Hoey. "Education is a public service. Imagine if you were asked to pay back any other public service for over 30 years."
The stirring seven-minute speech took place outside the government buildings at Merrion Square as demonstrators warned of the impact that income contingent loans - similar to what exists currently in the UK - would have on young people. The loans would see students asked to pay upwards of €20,000 back to the State once they reach a prescribed income threshold after graduation.
Despite estimates of 5,000 people expected to attend, the march saw over twice that figure, with some people suggesting that as many as 15,000 people showed up to protest.
Blindboy Boatclub was also in attendance and gave a speech at the event.
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You can listen to Annie Hoey's full speech here:
Hear president of @TheUSI Annie Hoey's speech from yesterday's #EducationIs March here: https://t.co/cVXXVVMOSB
— DCUfm News (@DCUfmNews) October 20, 2016