I was a member of the Government that abolished third level fees. This imaginative measure was introduced by the then Minister for Education, Niamh Bhreathnach, and was broadly welcomed. For the first time, it gave some relief to the many middle income PAYE taxpayers whose student children did not live within a commutable distance from third level institutions. At that time they were being screwed on all sides and were saddled with both huge fees and maintenance costs. We have witnessed the introduction of fees by the back door – it was the first of the ritual stealth taxes. A registration fee was imposed for each student entering third level colleges. A seemingly modest tax – that is what it was – when it was introduced was increased to €670 last year. For the coming college year, another €80 is to be lumped on, bringing it to €750. This is a registration fee and must be paid even before one thinks of maintenance or other costs. Fees have come back with a vengeance and so former Minister Niamh Bhreathnach's dream of a fair deal for the hard-pressed PAYE taxpayer trying to put two or three kids simultaneously through college has been set at nought.