Mark Duffy (Fine Gael)

I join colleagues in supporting third level students throughout the country who have been shocked over the past few days by the proposals to increase third level fees. I was a students’ union president, as was Senator Harmon. We worked together at the same time in students’ unions. It was a time of deep economic recession and support through SUSI grants and supports through a contribution on student fees were what kept students in and out of college. I was students’ union president on GMIT’s Mayo campus, which is now ATU Mayo, and I have had so many people contact me over the past number of days, including past and present students, constituents and parents who are really concerned by the proposals. We need to work across the House. We need to work, in the best interests of students, to ensure this does not proceed.