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.

Talk to Paschal.

We do not need to make any political thing out of what is a difficult time and a concerning proposal for students and families who are to the pin of their collar in a cost-of-living crisis. The proposal needs to be stopped. We need to find a solution for it. We do not need to play politics on what is a really important issue and we need to deliver for students and third level as we committed to in the Private Member’s Bill we brought in May. We need to deliver on that and I hope the Minister, Deputy Lawless, and all Ministers in Cabinet work to support the Fine Gael Senators who brought the Private Member’s Bill here advocating for improvements and supports for third level education.