Independent Donegal TD Thomas Pringle has slammed Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris for failing to address issues affecting third level students, and spending too much time on the teen social media site TikTok.
“We hear more from Simon Harris on Covid-19 issues than on the issues affecting our tens of thousands of third level students,” Pringle told the Dáil.
“Though he may also be off making TikTok videos and getting the Tánaiste to make cameo appearances – that seems exactly like what our third level students need.
The comments come after Simon Harris released a joke TikTok video featuring Táinaiste Leo Varadkar.
We are in longest most disproportionately restrictive lockdown in world.
No other country IN THE WORLD has gone through what has been forced on irish people
Vacc rollout is an unmitigated disaster. Incompetence.
Govt are making TikTok videos #lockdown
https://t.co/hjQ5sOTlvZ— Politics Watch (@PoliticsWatch14) April 26, 2021
Harris set up an account on the site earlier this year and has been posting lighthearted videos there since.
Simon Harris, the Minister with by far the best social media skills, has now joined TikTok. pic.twitter.com/BBfJ6TOz9G
— Gabija Gataveckaitė (@gabysayshey) March 24, 2021
In addition, Fine Gael’s Neil Richmond is a prolific user of the site.
Fine Gael TD Neil Richmond took to TikTok this week to say that "the government are committed to introducing votes for 16 year olds" for the local and Euro elections in 2024 – says there may be a referendum for letting teens vote in generals, presidential elections & referenda. pic.twitter.com/CuI2K5Cqve
— Ben Scallan 🇮🇪 (@Ben_Scallan) March 16, 2021
“Next, he’ll be releasing songs in an indie style, trying to get Michael Fry to duet him,” Pringle added.