Students at University College Dublin voted to rejoin the Union of Students in Ireland (USI/AMLÉ),”the national representative body for students in Ireland” on April 4th. The result of a successful referendum, as noted by USI, marks a “powerful return to collective representation for over 30,000 UCD students and signals a renewed era of student unity, activism, and national engagement”.
The referendum held in advance of the May national congress saw what USI describes as “overwhelming support” for rejoining the union, with 63.70% of voters in favor. It also successfully surpassed the required quorum of 4,094 votes, “a threshold not met in nearly ten years.”
The final tally revealed 3244 votes for, 1851 against, and 857 abstentions. USI states, “The vote required 50% + 1 in favour to pass, alongside meeting quorum — both targets were achieved, reflecting the momentum and unity behind the campaign.”
The decision to rejoin marks more than a decade of separation after UCD left the union in 2013. After years of failed attempts to reach quorum, USI/AMLÉ states that “this vote is a clear indicator that having USI/AMLÉ’s support on the ground can reignite engagement and empower students to take part in shaping their union’s future.”
According to USI President Chris Clifford: “UCDSU’s return represents more than just a policy shift — it’s a statement of intent from Ireland’s largest university that student solidarity matters.”
He notes that UCD’s return to the union “will strengthen our shared fight for better funding, housing, mental health supports, and a fairer education system”.
Clifford believes, “This is what happens when students feel connected to a national movement — they turn out, they engage, and they take ownership of their union.”
“This is a monumental moment, not just for UCD, but for student movements across Ireland,” as it shows “we are stronger when we stand together,” he added.
