In an RTÉ Upfront debate, all 10 major political parties discussed the current issues in Ireland, such as housing, cost of living, climate change and immigration. However, this poses the question: what was discussed for us students?
While the problems facing students were not directly asked by host Katie Hannon, the topic was addressed by most of the leaders. Topics such as university fees, cost of living, transport and government finances are all very important to students. These were all addressed by the leaders of our country’s democracy.
Leader of Fine Gael [FG], Simon Harris, started the discussion of university fees saying he wishes to “phase out college fees” alongside “permanently reduce the cost base for education.” In his former role as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Harris announced a €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for the free fees initiative. Harris also took to DCU’s Glasnevin campus last week to campaign these ambitions.
Leader of Sinn Féín [SF], Mary Lou McDonald, agreed with Harris on this issue and plans to “bring down student fees, and then abolish them.” The abolishment of student fees was one of few topics McDonald and Harris agreed upon during the programme.
In a survey conducted by University College Cork, more than 25% of third level students admitted to attending lectures while hungry. This is just one effect the cost of living crisis is having on students. Despite not mentioning education, Leader of Fianna Fáíl [FF], Michaél Martin, did address the cost of living crisis. His party “will work to get prices down” on groceries and food.
People Before Profit–Solidarity [PBPS] emphasised how “ordinary people are suffering” with this crisis. Their approach, as well as SF’s, is to abolish the Universal Social Charge [USC]. USC is a tax on any gross income over €13,000 per year.
Transport also remains a big issue for students across the country. If elected, Green Party [GP] leader, Roderic O’Gorman, plans to invest “10 billion” into public transport. O’Gorman emphasised how his party has grown TFI Local Link services “five fold” since they were elected in 2020. Figures from the Department of Transport show a 360% increase in passengers using Local Link services from 2020-2023.
Social Democrats [SD] representative Cian O’Callaghan stated how the future government must “invest in public services,” a statement backed by FF. PBPS leader, Richard Boyd Barrett believes public transport “should be free,” but must have “frequent services” and no more “ghost buses.” The Labour party plans to go on a “€2.5bn retrofitting revolution” that includes the construction of 15 more Luas lines across five cities. Aontú leader, Peadar Tóibín, further drew attention to the need for more rail/tram services, stating that 78,000 people are “crying out” for rail lines. The proper use and efficiency of government finances was also heavily addressed by Tóibín, who said “if Simon Harris worked for a private company, he’d be fired by now.”
McDonald claimed the government has “resources beyond our wildest dreams.” The exact figure of wildest dreams was not elaborated on, but we do have an extra €31bn according to Harris. A figure that plans on decreasing as FG promises to “lower taxes” and “lower bills,” if elected.
The 2024 General Election to elect the 34th Dáíl will take place on Friday, November 29th. If you are registered to vote, be sure to utilise your vote on polling day.