YOUNG PEOPLE from all over Ireland are expected to march through Dublin today in protest against any reintroduction of third-level college fees and what they believe is a marginalisation of the youth voice in Ireland.
A new representative body, the National Youth Organisation (NYO), is behind the protest, which its chairman, Aidan McGrath, claims is "the first ever youth protest in Irish history", given the involvement of young people under the age of 18.
Among the issues to be highlighted are the proposed reintroduction of third-level fees, and the reduction of the Irish National Youth Parliament's (Dáil na nÓg) conference days to one in an entire year.
The NYO organisers expect up to 250 to take part and say it will include participants from all over Ireland. Asked about the need for the NYO when the National Youth Council (NYC) already exists, Mr McGrath said the NYC "does not reach out to all young people and does not represent the direct views of the youth".
NYC communications officer Clodagh O'Brien said her organisation had been involved in a lot of youth protests in the past.
However, she welcomed the march and said the NYC was happy to support any initiative that highlighted young people.
In defence of the hosting of Dáil na nÓg once a year, she said it dealt with a wide range of issues and saw the culmination of a lot of work put in during the year.
A number of organisations and politicians are supporting NYO, Mr McGrath said, including Youth Work Ireland, Labour Youth, Young Greens, Socialist Youth, Senator David Norris and Cllr Clare Daly.
The march will start at the Garden of Remembrance and pass through O'Connell Street, along D'Olier Street, and conclude at the Department of Health and Children on Hawkins Street.
In a related event, members of Labour Youth are holding a demonstration today outside the Department of Education to protest against the proposed reintroduction of college fees.
Vice-chairman and campaigns officer Gary Honer said in a statement: "Since the introduction of free fees, participation at third level has increased, but sadly funding has not."
He described the Government's attitude to third-level students as "woefully inadequate".