USI says call for return of college fees is short-sighted

The Union of Students in Ireland has warned that the number of PhD students will decrease if college fees are re-introduced.

The comments follow reports today that the presidents of Irish universities are preparing a submission for the Government calling for the return of college fees.

They say hundreds of millions of euro are needed in extra funding every year to help Irish colleges compete internationally.

USI president Richard Morrisroe says the universities' stance is short-sighted because the abolition of fees has attracted more students and re-imposing them will only lead to a reduction in PhDs.