THE abolition of up-front university fees, expected to be announced soon by the Government, is a welcome development.

Labour came to power promising to extend the notion of equal opportunities in higher education.

The introduction of tuition fees ran counter to that principle. Saddling students with a four-figure debt at the start of the first university term actively discourages young people from poorer families.

While postponing payment until after graduation still favours those from more privileged backgrounds, it is a step in the right direction.

However, the concept of top-up fees for some universities must be resisted. Such a system will only create elitism, and not egalitarianism.

Overall, there needs to be a more fundamental debate on university and student finances. It is a debate this Government cannot duck for much longer.

As a society we need to decide the appropriate means to meet the costs associated with giving more and more people access to university.

Do we regard university education as a privilege, meaning that students and their parents must pay a substantial proportion of direct costs?

Or do we view it as a fundamental right in the fourth richest economy in the world, meaning all taxpayers must bear the brunt of the costs?