Multiple students from across Ireland came together at 12pm this afternoon for the “Flip the Fees” protest outside the Higher Education Building on Stephen’s Green. The protest was primarily a means to speak against the proposed 500 euro permanent fee decrease, a planned replacement to the current temporary 1000 euro decrease in place.
The protest was planned by representatives from Trinity College Dublin Students Union (TCDSU/AMLCT), namely President Seán Thim, who was not in attendance because of illness, according to other SU sabbatical officers.
Despite the fact that students received permission from Provost Linda Doyle’s office to miss classes to attend the protest, only a few dozen students were in attendance, alongside representatives from TCDSU, UCDSU, TUDSU, DCUSU, as well as student organisation from further away, such as UCCSU and the University of Galway.
Bryan O’Mahony, President of AMLÉ (Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn), said the following in an interview with The University Times at the protest.
“Its important to show up because the government promised to reduce fees and they raised them…we’re basing our votes on [the government’s] promises, if they’re not careful, we’ll vote them out.”
In regards to the turnout, O’Mahony said that it was “good for the area” and that “health and safety concerns” would arise if too many attended.
“We made the best with what we had”, he added.
Despite the low turnout, students who participated spoke passionately about why they felt the need to attend. Anna Sofia Scheele, a 4th year student at Trinity, said that she was “surprised” at the low turnout and was “100 per cent expecting more participants”, but felt “excited” to attend.
“It’s just not sustainable to live here anymore, how can you not show up to this?” said Scheele, in regards to the protest.
Channing Kehoe, TCDSU Communications Officer, expressed her happiness at a “good turnout” and was “impressed” that so many student unions showed up.
“It’s an everywhere issue,” said Kehoe.
SU Education Officer Buster Whaley agreed with Kehoe that seeing so many student unions showing up, but expressed regret at the lack of students.
“It’s difficult to mobilise students once classes have started,” said Whaley. “Still, its a real joint effort, and it’s good to feel solidarity,” he added, in regards to the other student unions that showed up.
Whaley also expressed regret that many students, such as those in health science, have mandatory labs that, despite permission from the Provost, would be difficult to skip in favour of attending the protest.
Ahana Majunder, a 3rd year at Trinity, and a STEM student herself, told The University Times more about the inability of many STEM students to attend: “We were told we could leave class, but to many STEM students these things are inaccessible…things like mandatory labs that we have to attend. It didn’t stop me but it surely stopped others.”
Amelia Flanagan, SU Environmental Officer, agreed that the turnout was “disappointing”. Flanagan also noted the government’s former stance that third-level fees should be abolished: pointing towards a Simon Harris speech from 2024 where he said that “third level education fees will need to be phased out in the coming years”.
A source from the Irish Times told the newspaper that “Unlike past temporary reductions, this is permanent. Students and their families can now plan ahead with confidence,” in regards to the 500 euro fee increase.
Students will be made aware of the state of their fees after the 2026 Budget is made public tomorrow (October 7th).
Seán Thim has been reached out to for comment.
