Ms Ramsey said:

"Sinn Féin raised objections to this regulation being presented by the Department of Employment and Learning that would have allowed Reg Empey to increase Student Fees.

"The issue was taken to a vote and agreed that there would be a motion to the Assembly seeking to annul these regulations.

"The evidence shows that the introduction of Students Fees has had a significant impact on students studying in our universities, on rising levels of student debt and on the falling numbers of students from disadvantaged backgrounds taking third level studies.

"All parties opposed the introduction of Student Fees and in my view it would be wrong to agree any increase whatever the reason.

"It was a mistake for Reg Empey to seek to increase the level of Student Fees in the first place and I hope that we can get all party support for this motion when it is debated in the Assembly."