Tánaiste hits back at minister as college fees row heats up

Simon Harris takes a direct swipe at higher education minister James Lawless in a voice note to Fine Gael TDs and senators

Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris was responding after the higher education minister, Fianna Fáil's James Lawless, confirmed that student fees, reduced by €1k over the past three years, will return to €3k. Picture: PA

Tánaiste Simon Harris has taken a direct swipe at the higher education minister as a Coalition row over student fees intensifies.

James Lawless has confirmed that student fees, that were reduced by €1,000 over the past three years, will return to €3,000 as Budget 2026 will not contain a cost-of-living package which enabled the cut.