Wednesday, 22 October 2008 15:22

An estimated 10,000 students from colleges and universities all over Dublin have gathered outside Leinster House to protest at the threatened reintroduction of tuition fees.

The Garda dog unit and gardaí on horseback are patrolling the area.

Almost 80 gardaí are guarding the main gates of Leinster House on Kildare Street.
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The Union of Students of Ireland told demonstrators it would continue to fight the reintroduction of third level fees.

USI's David Curran said students all over Ireland would organise and ensure that the campaign remained active.

RTE.ie

A petition has been opened to the public, especially the students of Ireland, and this petition can be signed here: http://www.petitiononline.com/class0....

The new National Executive is as follows:

President - Barry Walsh (Cork East)

Vice President - Liam Quinn (UL/Laois-Offaly)

National Panel -
Stephen Behane (UCC/Kerry North)
Alan Gallagher (Griffith College/ Dublin South)
Eric Keane (UL/Clare)
Michelle Perry (NUIG/Sligo-North Leitrim)

Dublin Organiser - Conor Rock (UCD/ Dublin South West)
East Organiser - Mel Farrell (NUI Maynooth/Longford-Westmeath)
North West Organiser - Dan Burke (GMIT/Mayo)
South Organiser - Hollie Dowling (UCC/Cork East)

ONE IN FIVE SUFFERERS DIE FROM EATING DISORDERS. URGENT ACTION NEEDED

Thursday, 6 September 2007

Young Fine Gael (YFG) today (Thursday) launched an info/ policy document to highlight the lack of support available to people experiencing eating disorders, especially those who are not in a financial position to seek help.

Eating disorders are serious psychiatric illnesses with a 20% mortality rate. YFG Councillor, Anne Marie Martin, who has suffered from an eating disorder, is calling on the Government to introduce a dedicated service that young women and men can depend on to offer them expert help in this area.

“With students returning to school this week we believe it’s an opportunity to start a debate on Irish societies attitude to the ‘size 0’ fad, which affects many young people. One of the fundamental changes needed in our health system and society is to break down the stigma attached to people who are experiencing an eating disorder.

Young Fine Gael Vice President, Barry Walsh, stated, “Young Fine Gael is calling for urgent action on this. At present there are only 3 beds in specialist eating disorder services. This must be increased.

“Between 1% and 2% of young females are affected by anorexia. Between 3% and 5% of young females are affected by bulimia. It is not just a situation that affects women, it is estimated that 10% of new eating disorder cases are male.

YFG TD Lucinda Creighton, added, “The numbers of people suffering from eating disorders is rising every year. Up to 7,000 Irish adolescents are currently living with bulimia or anorexia. 500 of those with anorexia will die of medical complications or suicide.

”Suicide risk among girls with anorexia is 200 times higher than in the general population. Yet there is no funding allocated to preventing suicide among people with an eating disorder”, said Creighton.


Contact:

Cllr. Anne Marie Martin
086 388 0672

Barry Walsh
Vice President YFG
087 6402497

Lucinda Creighton T.D.
086 600 9296