Simon Gillespie Speech – Third level education - Ard Fheis 2012

Simon Gillespie
Coiste Náisiúnta Óige Phoblachtach

Nelson Mandela once said that ‘education is the most powerful instrument you can use to change the world. It is that great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of the peasant can become a doctor, that the son of the mineworker can become the head of the mine and that the child of farm workers can become president’.

Is fíor an raiteas é seo.

Sinn Féin has always believed that education, and in particular third level education, must be an essential instrument in building an Ireland of Equals.

Equality of opportunity, access and provision is a basic entitlement.

But the impact of cuts to maintenance grants, coupled with an increase in the student contribution fee and the looming possibility of the re-introduction of fee’s in their entirety is not only a restriction on a fundamental and basic right but such measures will have a detrimental impact on recovery and leave young people facing a difficult choice between the gates of a College or University and the gates of airport and ferry terminals across the island.

Shinigh an t-Áire Oideachas Ruairí Ó Cionn, cupla lá roimhe an tóghchan deirneach, conradh de chuid na Aontais Mac Léinne ag gealladh nach mbeadh ardú nó taillí triú leibheal d’aon sort ann. Anois agus é i gcumhacht, bhris sé an geallúint sin agus thacaigh sé leis an déine ina áit. Níl seo ceart nó coir!

Nach bhfeiceann an tAire an dochar atá a dhéanamh aige agus é ag cur tuilleadh brú ar dhaoine óga na tire seo? Daoine óga atá ag fulaingt cheanna féin. Ní mic léinn na tire seo a mhill an gheilléagar. Le bheith hionraice, is é an malairt atá idir lámha acú agus iad ag streachailt chun cuidiú linn ár gcuid fadhbanna a reitiú, ach, cosúil le cuid mhór dreamanna eile, is iad na mic léinn atá ag íoc as neamart lucht an gcumhacht.

Sinn Féin stands firm with the students of Ireland because we recognise the importance of Third Level education in developing our economy and society and achieving The New Republic.

In the words of Salvadore Allende ‘To be a student and not a revolutionary is a contradiction’. However, to be a revolutionary student today is a necessity in preserving equality of access to Third Level education.

Gan iad, bheadh ár gcuid colaistí agus ollscoileanna ina clós súgartha dóibh siúd le airgead agus tionchar i sochaí na hÉireann.

Seasann Shinn Féin le mic léinn na tire seo agus a cearta chun oideachas triú leibhéal fiúntach, saor in aisce a bhaint amach.