The Union of Students in Ireland is to begin a voter registration drive among members to create a powerful lobby for students.
The USI president, Mr Julian de Spainn, told the union's congress in Ennis yesterday that students would be urged to register their vote, while the position of political candidates on student issues would be publicised.
"Students and their families represent a large and potentially very powerful lobby group. USI will harness that power to win improvements for students, particularly in the area of financial support," he said.
The union's membership of almost 150,000 people made it one of the largest representative bodies, he said.
Delegates also voted on a motion yesterday for on-campus ballot boxes to be provided to facilitate students voting in parliamentary elections. Mr de Spainn said the State's level of first-time voter turnout, at 40 per cent, was one of the lowest in Europe.
An Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance survey had found that the Irish percentage compared with 75 per cent in Britain and more than 80 per cent in Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and Scandinavian countries.
Mr de Spainn said lack of interest in the political process could have serious implications for the future of Irish democracy. "The low voter turnout also represents a missed opportunity for students and young people to influence policies which directly affect them."
The union's call to be made a partner in the social partnership process was backed by Mr Joe Cunningham, SIPTU regional secretary. He said social partnership was a key policy-making forum in which USI should have direct participation.
The one-year-old alliance between SIPTU and USI would be developed through a series of joint initiatives, Mr Cunningham said. "In a world of lifelong learning, SIPTU and USI are building a unique relationship between working people who are becoming students again and students who are working their way through third-level education."
Mr de Spainn added that it was time for the Government "to recognise the distinctive voice of students and grant USI full status as a social partner".