Government's approach to tackling third-level fee hike likened to an ‘episode of Love Island'
The Dublin West TD had been on his feet having just answered calls from Fine Gael Carlow-Kilkenny TD Catherine Callaghan over how her own phone had been left 'hopping' by anxious parents as to the rising costs facing students.
Mr Chambers said concerns linked to how third level students could be facing into forking out a further €1,000 in registration fees were reservations Coalition leaders would consider in unison as part of ongoing Budget discussions.
'This will be considered in the context of budget 2026,' he stated.
'All of us as a collective Government - Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Independent deputies - will work on strengthening the affordability of public services as a core priority.'
That admission was one which drew a scornful riposte from Mr Carthy who likened the Government's approach on the hit British reality dating show.
'It is like an episode of 'Love Island', he scoffed.
Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy moved swiftly to dilute the row, sternly advising the Sinn Féin TD he did not have the right of the floor by telling him: 'It is not your question, Deputy.'
The edgy nature to those exchanges follows hot on the heels of Further and Higher Education Minister James Lawless' admission at the weekend that students will have to 'play the hands we're dealt' in the absence of any cost of living packages being rolled out over the coming months.
Speaking to RTÉ's This Week, Mr Lawless said fees would likely revert to the amount owed before the Government began introducing cost saving reductions three years ago.
'The indications are that there won't be a cost-of-living package this year, so all of us, in any walk of life, has to play the hands we're dealt,' he said.
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