The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) is hoping to visit 16 college campuses ahead of the General Election as part of its new 'Make A Smart Vote' campaign.

The union is encouraging students to make themselves aware of the issues most relevant to their demographic before casting their preferences on February 26.

The roadshow will visit all major colleges over the next 10 days, including NUIG, UCC, DCU and Maynooth.

USI’s President Kevin Donoghue says their intention is that students are well informed.

He said: "What we want to do in the Union of Students in Ireland is to make people as aware as they possibly could be before they go into a polling booth.

"So, as opposed to voting for someone they may know or recognise the most, they are making a decision on the basis of what policies candidates have and what policies parties have, and they can make as much of an informed choice as they possibly can on the 26th of February."