Ms Tatiana Bazborodova:

Dia dhaoibh go léir. Tatiana Bazborodova is ainm dom agus is ainm fíor Gaelach é i mo thuairim. Is as an Rúis mé. I do not speak Irish in Russia, but as a person who moved to Ireland when I was seven and who went through the whole school system, finishing with an honour in higher level Irish for leaving certificate, I picked up a word or two along the way.

I am currently in third year in Trinity College, studying medicinal chemistry and have been paying fees of well over €7,000 a year, despite the fact I got Irish citizenship and my passport this year. It was an amazing day for me when I finally became an Irish citizen in a country that has been my home for the past 12 years. Unfortunately, my joy was shortlived because I was told I was still not recognised as an Irish citizen by my college. I am a citizen, but obviously I am not Irish enough and still had to pay fees of over €7,000 this year. Again, this has been another year of financial struggle for my family. There is no question but that my fees are a massive burden on them. The past few years have been extremely difficult for us, yet we are some of the lucky ones. Both of my parents work. My mum is an accountant and my dad works in the green energy sector in the wind farm area. They both pay taxes, but we do not get any of the benefits from the system to which they contribute.

There are hundreds of people in a situation similar to mine. We are studying in areas important for the economy, the science, medical and IT areas. We will contribute to the economy in the future. We will pay taxes and we will be voters. We are the future. I urge Deputies and Senators to open their eyes to the future.