Fifteen students staging an overnight occupation of rooms at the Department of Transport as part of protests against the proposed reintroduction of third-level fees have been removed by gardaí.
The Union of Students in Ireland (USI), who organised the protest, said it also wanted to register its anger at a decision by the Government to reduce by 25 per cent grants for students returning to education.
Yesterday's protests began with a sit-in at the Department of Social and Family Affairs, Amiens Street, Dublin. The Department has responsibility for the soon to be reduced Back To Education Allowance (BTEA).
The students were removed from the building, but staged a follow-up demonstration outside the Dáil in Kildare Street. Six students handcuffed themselves to railings, but were removed by gardaí with cutting gear.
Some 15 students then made their way to the Department of Transport, where they began a sit-in.
USI deputy president Mr Noel Hogan was part of last night's demonstration.
He said the actions of the group were intended to highlight the fact that the Education Minister, Mr Dempsey, "needed to be put back in his box on the fees issue".
"It's good to see the PDs nailing their colours more firmly to the mast, but the point has to be made that Mr Dempsey should not get away with reintroducing fees."
A decision to slash the BTEA grant was also a serious issue, he warned. It would have a very significant impact on almost 6,500 students "who were brave enough to return to education".
The grant is received by single parents, the disabled and long-term unemployed, and aims to assist those who have been away from education for a prolonged period.
Mr Hogan said students in receipt of the grant had expected to receive payments until their studies concluded. Many would now be forced to abandon courses because of financial pressures.