Taoiseach Simon Harris took his campaign tour to DCU on Thursday morning, adamant to share his plans to abolish college fees.
The Fine Gael leader was led through DCU’s Glasnevin campus, touring the soon to be completed Polaris building and then walking to the Student Union building where he was met with a flurry of students.
The Taoiseach was flanked with a large entourage of his team, reporters and camera crews. Among the crowd were members of the media from RTÉ, Virgin Media, Newstalk and The Journal.
Mr Harris stopped to speak with many students on his tour through campus. Editor in Chief Katie O’Shaughnessy spoke to Harris on behalf of The College View. Harris was quick to inform The College View of his plans to abolish fees for third level students.
When asked what exactly he was doing to aid students, Harris outlined plans for an additional 405 student accommodation beds that he promised as Minister for Higher Education, noting it was the first time taxpayer money was used to fund student beds.
The College View also referenced a previous article written by O’Shaughnessy in which she explored the additional pressures put upon students by the high costs of necessary technology. Harris responded that he will be looking to give more university funding in order to facilitate better technology services on campus.
The College View featured briefly on Thursday night’s Six One, as Katie O’Shaughnessy asked Harris about what exactly he and his party plans to do for students
Harris spoke to EPL student Sophie Henry who asked the Taoiseach about student accommodation. Henry referenced her two hour long commute into DCU everyday despite living in Dublin. On RTÉ Six One Henry told Simon Harris: “I commute two hours most days to get to college, can’t afford student accommodation… I live out in Lucan and the transport and amenities around where new housing is being built is definitely really lacking.”
Adam Hayes, Global Business student, spoke to Harris about public transport and the difficulties of commuting. He, like Sophie Henry, faces a two hour commute into college. Hayes told The College View that Simon Harris pledged to build 2500 student beds.
Fine Gael has yet to release their manifesto. Harris stated on Tuesday that he intended to phase out college fees while speaking on an Instagram Live. Fine Gael had previously said they did not plan to abolish student fees when asked back in September.