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Students cannot afford housing. Many are forced to stay at home, commuting long distances every day. Others have to sleep on a friend's couch, in their car, or wherever they can. The landlords hike rent, and at the same time, the government has raised student fees by 1000 euros. Students are at a breaking point.

Graduation seems a relief from the high costs of being a student. But too often there are limited opportunities for Irish graduates. Too many choose to leave Ireland in search of opportunities abroad. Some seek career opportunities not made available in Ireland. Others move just so they can afford to live.

And there is a burden also on our conscience as students. We see the way the world is going: rising far-right sentiment, climate change threatening our very way of life, and the genocide in Palestine ongoing. We remind ourselves - there are no universities left in Gaza. They have all been reduced to rubble.

In a world which for students, seems closed off on all sides, Catherine Connolly is a light. We trust Catherine because we know her record. Not only has she been a voice for Palestine, a voice on the housing crisis, but she has also been a voice for students. She has listened to our concerns, and she has raised our voices and our stories.

As she correctly asked in the Dail 

"Where is the vision for this area in terms of State-owned student accommodation in order that we can bring the prices down? A market is once again being created for the vulture funds and anyone with money who can then do what they want."

Her vision is our vision - an Ireland where everyone, including students, can afford to live, to learn, and to prosper. Where students can focus on being students. 

Catherine understands the issues students are facing, and she will fight for us. And so we give our support to her.