Even some colleges not involved with USI and among its bitterest critics sent representatives to the march; however, some did not go.

Trinity was on the marcher's route, but did not join in. Union president Dave Tighe said of the USI organisers: "We don't think they gave enough detail about abolishing capitation charges. If they are abolished you will have a problem funding student services." On grants, Tighe also took issue with USI, favouring the Minister for Education's intention to introduce a supplementary grant to target those more disadvantaged.

Regardless of these differences, however, should TCD not have gone out in support of the general student cause? "You shouldn't be protesting for something you don't agree with," Tighe said.

Kevin McDonnell, president of UCC students' union, said the goals of the march were unattainable. There was no point in "marching for the sake of marching," he said.

In other cases the reasons for not marching were more practical. Tralee IT's president, Sean Brosnahan, cited the five-and-a-half-hour trip. He said the college was "100 per cent behind" the parade.

John McCormack president of NUI Maynooth students' union, said the main reason it was not represented was because it is not affiliated to USI. McCormack went himself, but said students didn't really want to march. "It's hard to get the troops motivated."