Madam, – Minister for Education Mary Coughlan has stated that third-level fees are off the agenda and will remain so for the lifetime of the Government. However, she again fails to rule out an increase in administration fees (currently €1,500 per annum) from 2011 (Home News, August 18th). The only reason that third-level fees will not be on the current Government’s agenda is because the Irish banks do not or will not for the foreseeable future, give students loans at reasonable terms, conditions and interest rates. – Yours, etc,