Madam, - With regard to Paul Lynam's response (October 15th) to my letter of the previous day, allow me to make the following points:
Firstly, I thought it was obvious that I was not, as he puts it, "painting all students at UCD with the same brush". Third-level fees should be paid by those who can afford them. If you can afford to send your son or daughter to an expensive second-level institution, or indeed furnish them with a 07 Mercedes (cabriolet, of course), then in my opinion you can afford to pay third-level fees. The challenge for the Government is to devise an equitable scheme whereby those who cannot afford to pay fees do not pay them.
Secondly, I read English and history at UCD from 2002 to 2006. As a mature student I was classified as part-time, so I paid full fees of over €2,000 a year. Therefore, I see no point in attending his office to meet struggling students - and I am sure there are many. - Yours, etc,
DAVID P. JAMESON, York Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.