Around 25,000 students took to the streets of Dublin on Wednesday in protest at plans to increase college registration fees.

 

And in the Dail today Taoiseach Brian Cowen refused to be drawn on the possible doubling of fees in next month's budget.

 

While the protest by the Union of Students in Ireland was generally peaceful, many were confronted by riot police on foot and horseback afterwards.

 

Trouble flared up when police charged about 2,000 people gathered near the Department of Finance after the main march on Leinster House.

 

Police claimed that students threw bricks, placards and eggs at the Department.

 

About 20 stormed into the lobby before being wrestled back out.

 

Hundreds more staged a sit-down protest in the road.

 

Police admitted that several protesters had been injured and three had been arrested.

 

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) distanced itself from those who had occupied the building.

 

"USI is saddened by the actions of a small minority of people who staged a sit-in protest at the Department of Finance shortly after the USI protest march today.

 

"This anti-social behaviour was completely separate from the USI demo," it said in a statement.

 

Many protesters wore T-shirts calling for "Education, not emigration," referring to a recent surge of young people leaving Ireland with its double-digit unemployment for opportunities abroad, from Canada to Australia.

 

The Communist Party of Ireland condemned "the use of mounted police and the riot squad to attack the militant but peaceful mobilisation of thousands of students."

 

A spokesperson added: "It is clear that this government, the European Union and international bankers will brook no protests or resistance against the austerity measures that they are imposing upon the Irish people.

 

"This violence from the state must be met with renewed mobilisations of all working people whose living standards are under attack in the state's attempt to save the ultra-rich from the consequences of their actions.

 

"It is incumbent on the Irish Confederation of Trade Unions to make sure their demonstration on November 27 matches the same determination and mobilisation that Irish students have shown."

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