Opposition parties have urged Government to scrap a potential €1,000 student fees hike, saying rise is creating "barriers" to third level education and could force people not to go to college.
TDs from across the political spectrum called for a u-turn on the Government plan, despite Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless criticising the "hypocrisy" and "points scoring" of rival parties.
Speaking during a private members motion in the Dáil tonight, Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan told Minister Lawless to "have a look up there" at students in the Dáil gallery, before telling him "these are the people you've turned your back on".
Her party's finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty said the Government plan is creating "barriers" for students and "scared the bejaysus" out of families when it was announced last week, arguing fees should be going down not up.
A number of other Sinn Féin TDs also criticised the move, including Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire who said, "There are cabinet ministers who think the cost of living crisis is over".
Their views were echoed by Labour TD and party spokesperson on Education and Youth Eoghan Kenny, who said "I wouldn't have been able to achieve third level education if it wasn't for the support of the State" - support he said is now being taken away.
Pointing out the planned student fee increase, Deputy Kenny said when students hear about fee increases "you realise how little valued you are by this State".
Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins described the situation as an "omnishambles" taking place "while families are grappling with the thought of whether they will be able to send their child to college in the autumn", while Independent TD Seamus Healy said he believes Government is "throwing students under the bus".
Read more: Protest held over potential rise in third-level fees
However, responding to the criticism, Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless said he understood some of the points raised he rejected the "hypocrisy" and "points scoring" taking place.
Minister Lawless said he believes "Fianna Fáil is the party of education in Ireland" and that he disagreed with the "cheap populism" from some opposition TDs.
He said any changes are "a policy decision" and "not a move to re-allocate moneys", saying "some parties want to make noise, I want to make progress".
Responding to the Minister's comments, Green party leader Roderic O'Gorman said the student fees controversy is a "messy episode" and that it is "okay to recognise that and right and proper to correct it."
"Please Minister, do the right thing," he added.
