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College Tribune | 3rd March 2009
Election News
The man who woul rity’s conduct. There was a case a few weeks ago where they hauled a gay couple out just for kissing. I’m going to make sure that security cleans up their act a little bit and that all complaints about their conduct are addressed.
The way we stop it is we use a multi faceted approach. We lobby TDs, we hit them where it hurts in their home constituency, we organise demonstrations, and we can partake in peaceful direct action.
Apart from fees, what Would you have any is the single biggest particular criticisms of challenge for the inthe outgoing president? coming SU President?
About your Manifesto
The class rep system isn’t working as well as it could be. They should get more adequettraining. Overall I think Aodhan’s done a fairly good job, he’s been one of the better presidents in my time here but there’s always room for improvement.
My manifesto is basically the three main issues I want to focus on. I want to actually defeat fees and also secure proper public funding for the university. The other point is the issue of secu- What would you do rity. There have been a lot to combat the reinof fees? of complaints about secu- troduction
points of your campaign are? I have 5 aims which are fees, finding out where university funds are going, enhancing a community spirit, sorting out the security and safety around campus and improving the essential services, like the library, that are here for all students. What type of action would you take against fees? Manifesto My manifesto explains why I want to be President of the SU and what I’ve done so far. I’ve organized lots of events such as No Bearla and Pelfield Centre soccer. I’ve changed the way the union works. I’ve done quite a bit and with my class as well. What would you say the main
The type of direct action that has already been conducted by the USI. It has been effective and students all over the world have shown that occupations can create a lot of media coverage. Do you have any particular criticisms of the outgoing President?
The lack of funding for the university. As SU President I’ll use all the union resources to make sure that none of our essential student services are cut back but also campaignto ringfence proper funding. Would you have any criticisms of the other Presidential candidates? I like Gary an awful lot but he’s been in the union adI’ll just talk about my plans for the year. A lot can be done in terms of creating community spirit. For example, I organized this thing back in September, it was called Centre Soccer and every house in Merville had a soccer team and played against their neighbor. It cost the SU less than €200 and it’s things like this that should be promoted.
Is that something that you feel has been neglected in the last year? I feel that things like Centre Soccer weren’t there when Barry Colfer was president either. I think little things like that can be very effective. I started up the Pelfield thing when I was in first year. I have done a lot for UCD.
Man My m be fre reintr one o the f ryone in Se limite so mu dents
ministration for far too long. It was quite disingenuous of him that he took credit for mobilising 5,000 students for the last demo. Everyone in this college knows that that is not true because it was more than just Gary. As for Julian, I think he’s definitely sincere in his passion about the issues but his approach has been direct action for everything, he doesn’t take into account some of the other approaches which can be utilised. Also he has a tendency to throw the baby out of the bath water a bit when things don’t entirely go his way. He stormed out of SU council there two weeks ago because one of his motions was defeated and if you’re the SU President you have to keep your composure. Donal is far too inexperienced to take on the job on SU President.
Why dents
I’m after receiving the President’s award along with Robert Carney and Viv Rath and a few others.
The position of UCDSU Presid the most covetted of student po University. Previous presidents lon (03/04) Feargal Scully (04/ (05/06) Dan Hayden (06/07) Ba and Aodhan O’Déa (08/09). M ous presidents were Sabbatica election, such as James Carroll, Barry colfer, where as Paul D Scully ran on the issues of the
Apart from fees, what would your other main focus be as SU President? I feel it’s very important that students enjoy their time in UCD. For example, when I was in first year the Pelfield tournament worked extremely well. Do you think the money over the last year has been spent wisely? I feel that almost everything that the SU has done so far has been worthwhile. Seachtain na Gaeilge, for example, ran with SU funding
should vote for
stuyou?
Defending student rights has been my passion. I will fight these issues whether I’m elected or not. But if I’m elected next week, together we can beat fees, improve our services and improve our security and car parking.
of less than €5,000 and I feel it’s very worthwhile. Centre Soccer cost the SU less than €200. Would you have any criticisms of the other candidates? I don’t know enough about the other candidates to criticise them.
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