Volume 12 Issue 8 by Student Independent News

F R E E S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R , V o l . 1 2 I S S U E 8 , 1 5 . 0 2 . 2 0 1 1

SU warns election candidates of student vote By Richard Manton

Student nurses protest against pay cuts By Richard Manton On 9th February, NUIG student nurses working in UHG took part in a lunchtime work stoppage against pay cuts. The Galway work stoppage formed part of a national campaign involving 3,500 student nurses in 13 hospitals. Student nurses and midwives work 36 hour week as part of their final work placement. At present, the students who work full shift patterns including weekends and nights are paid 80% of a nurse’s salary. The students are an integral part of a hospital’s workforce

providing essential, direct and immediate bedside care. However, the last Government proposed reducing the amount being paid to student nurses over the next four years and eliminating it completely in 2015. The cuts will mean that wages paid this year will be 76% of the newly reduced minimum wage. Students’ Union President, Peter Mannion, said: “This is a despicable act by a dying Government which will have huge implications for an already overburdened

health system. The Department of Health & Children is effectively introducing slave labour by cutting and removing pay for student nurses on work placement. We’re not talking about occasional hours outside the classroom here - student nurses work a full week including nights and weekends and perform many of the same functions as qualified nurses. To expect anybody to do that for nothing is beyond belief.” Following the protests, Mary Coughlan –

Tánaiste and Minister for Health – admitted that there was “a strong argument in favour of retaining some level of payment to student nurses” and that she has asked the Department of Health “to review the rationale for the total abolition of clinical placement payments to student nurses”. A national protest will take place this Wednesday, 16th February from 121.30pm from Parnell Square, Dublin. Transport will be organised by the Students’ Union.

The Students’ Union is warning all candidates in the upcoming general election to be aware of the student vote. A number of factors have led commentators to dub this election the most important in the history of the state and it is likely that the election will see the highest student voter turnout. Students’ Union President, Peter Mannion, said: “The Student Vote will certainly be a big factor in this election and candidates should take notice of what students are telling them.” As part of a voter registration drive, the SU registered 500 students who were not

previously on the Register of Electors. The majority of these are likely to be students who have turned 18 since the previous election. Many students have also moved their vote to the Galway West constituency. Mannion added: “With the election taking place on a Friday coupled with the huge amount of new voters being registered, students will certainly have a say in how the next government is formed.” See Sin General Election Special 2011 for student analysis on the general election

GENERAL ELECTION SPECIAL 12 PAGE PULLOUT

NEWS

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New SU constitution proposed

Law and Commerce groups will be merged into the College of Business, Public Policy and Law class reps group. The Students’ Union executive will also see a big shake up, with the current

By Richard Manton

structure of three full-time officers and six Minister for Education, Mary Coughlan,

side of the Union, which includes the

executive but will run the Council

has announced that a student loan scheme

College Bar, Smokey’s, the Wall Café and

independently from the SU president to

for graduates could be introduced. The

the SU Shop. There will be a Board of

ensure officers are held to account for

Hunt Report on Higher Education suggests

Trustees to own these businesses in trust

their work.

that graduates would have to repay debts

for the students and also a Finance

of at least €25,000 after completion of

Committee to monitor how the Union is

Speaking on the changes, SU Education

their degrees.

spending its budget each year and to

Officer, Emmet Connolly, said: “The new

There was also an insistence of rises on the

approve major spending.

class rep structures have been brought in

three full-time officers and 12 part-time officers, giving the new executive a total of 15 members, up from the current nine. There will be a new Mature Students

so as to increase the independence of the

Student Contributiog off billions of

part-time officers being replaced by the

Australian dollars in student debt, we feel

The class reps system will see big changes

Students’ Union Council from the elected

that this is a completely unworkable

in that the Union Body and Full Class Reps

officers. This in turn should make the

systOn 31st January, the Full Class Reps

Council will be abolished. In their place

officers more accountable to the class reps

Council approved the proposed new

will be a new Students’ Union Council.

and the entire student body in that the

Students’ Union constitution, put before

This body will be open to all students,

Council will set it’s own agenda and will

them by SU president Peter Mannion. The

whether they are class reps or not, and all

invite the officers to attend meetings and

proposal will now go before the students

students will be able to speak on items of

tell the students what work they’ve been

on Thursday 10th March, the same day as

interest and ask questions of the SU

doing. Overall, it’s about making the

the full-time SU officer elections. The

officers. The Students’ Union Council will

meetings more open, more effective and

main changes the new constitution makes

meet three times a semester and will be

more interesting”.

will be a clearer and more accountable

run by an independently-elected

management structure for the commercial

Chairperson, who will sit on the SU

Officer, which will be a part-time, unpaid position which will replace the existing Student Development Officer position. The Chairperson of the Students’ Union Council will also sit on the executive, as will each of the five College Convenors, one each from Arts, Engineering & Informatics, Science, Health Sciences, and Business, Public Policy and Law. The Students’ Union is encouraging all students to vote in favour of the new constitution on 10th March.em for Ireland. “

The College class rep meetings will largely stay the same, but with a College Convenor elected at the end of this academic year to ensure class reps are elected in each class in their College. The

He continued: “ the proposal for a student loan scheme will be a regressive step for this country and will only serve to encourage emigration among the best and brightest from NUI Galway”

NUIG to apply for Green Campus status By Mary Rose Bogan

NUIG is to apply for Green Campus status. This is the third level equivalent of the Green Schools Programme. The application is being initiated from the Building Office by Environmental Manager Aoife Collins. A meeting to outline the programme was held on 1st February. There was a good attendance from all sections of campus life including academic and non academic staff, undergraduates and post graduates. The programme, based on EU guidelines, is implemented through An Taisce and local government. Galway City Council’s Environmental Education Officer, Sharon Carroll attended. There are seven steps involved in achieving the Green Flag. The first step is to elect a committee to co-ordinate it. Other steps focus on an environmental review and

implementing an action plan. This plan aims to improve aspects of the campus from a ‘green’ perspective and to maintain these in the long-term. Projects could include litter collection, reduction in cups sent to landfill, composting and the protection of biodiversity. It is expected to take 18 to 24 months to achieve. The meeting to form the committee to coordinate the application is on Tuesday 22nd February from 1.05 to 1.50 in the Martin Ryan Boardroom, The Martin Ryan Building. Contact Dr. Aoife Collins, 091-495944 or aoife.collins@nuigalway,ie for more information. Come along and help NUI Galway to become one of the first Irish universities to achieve the green flag.

NEWS

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SU launches Student Enterprise Awards By Sinéad Burke The Students’ Union has launched an exciting new scheme to encourage enterprise and innovation amongst its members. Students are invited to submit their idea for a business, social or artistic enterprise. The finalists will be offered a chance to turn their idea into reality with initial funding and the support of a mentor. The NUI Galway Student Enterprise Awards were officially launched on Monday, 7th February and will culminate in a Final Awards Ceremony on Friday, 10th June, 2011. The first main deadline potential competitors should be aware of is the closing date for project submissions, which is set for Friday, 8th April. Students are invited to sketch out the initial proposals for their project or business and to draw up the plans they hope will make their idea a reality. Six entrants will then be brought forward to the final stage, where they will really have the opportunity to see their idea come to life, with the help of an investment of €500 into their project, and the benefit of an assigned mentor with relevant expertise to steer their project on the right path. The overall winner will receive €15,000 direct investment to launch their project as well as expert guidance and

mentoring, whilst two runners up prizes, each totalling €2,000 will also be awarded at the final Awards Ceremony on June 10th. The awards are designed to help students realise their potential and foster the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit within the students of NUI Galway. Peter Mannion, Students’ Union President said: “NUI Galway Students’ Union is acutely aware of the hardship being faced by students and their families in these difficult economic times. The Student Enterprise Awards provide an excellent opportunity for young people in particular to apply their skills and talents. By providing the initial financial boost and expert guidance, the awards have the potential to launch several initiatives that could create much needed employment and investment and have a significant impact on the community.” The Student Enterprise Awards are supported by the NUI Galway Technology Transfer Office and is funded by NUI Galway and Students’ Union Commercial Services. Students are invited to visit www.SUenterpriseawards.com or to connect with SU Enterprise Awards on Facebook.

SU achieves small price reduction in Corrib Village After months of lobbying, the Students' Union has achieved a reduction in price for accommodation in Corrib Village. The new price structure, which will be implemented from next September, will see a reduction in price of 3% across the board. In addition, students will now be allowed pay for the accommodation in two moieties while those choosing to pay the entire cost at the beginning of the year will be rewarded with an additional 2% reduction. Corrib Village is the only oncampus residence in the country to reduce the rate this year. Peter Mannion, Students’ Union President, commented: “The changes made by Corrib Village are a step in the right direction. The University management and the management at Corrib Village have done something to address each of the concerns we raised in September. Corrib Village certainly won’t be perfect from next September but there has been a genuine effort to address the problems that will have a significant impact of the lives of students who live there.”

Ryan Tubridy launches new student mental health website By Lisa Jackso NUI Galway welcomed RTÉ star Ryan Tubridy to promote a new online mental health resource for Irish third level students. My Mind Matters (MMM) is a portal aimed at supporting student wellbeing through self-help programmes, discussion boards and confidential online counselling. The high-profile presenter of the Late Late Show attracted widespread attention to the launch of this important new service by delivering the key note speech in the Bailey Allen Hall, Áras na Mac Léinn. He said, “I steal and rob every opportunity I can to come to Galway. I don’t know if I say it enough but I love to come here.” Tubridy delivered this message to students: “It’s up to you, the next generation, to look after us. You’re going to be pushing us around when we need it most so we need to keep you happy, mentally safe, and keep you talking and well because you are the future and hopefully the future will be safe.” On MMM he said, “University challenges. It is difficult. It’s a big place... people get lost, it’s too vast, it’s too much, it’s too much intellectually, it’s too much emotionally and then what do you do? You either drop out or you go and talk to somebody. Or you engage now in a website like this.” MMM began in Trinity College, Dublin and now also involves NUI Galway, University College Cork and Dundalk Institute of Technology. The website features links to off-line counselling services available in the other third level institutes across Ireland. It was funded through the Higher Education Authority’s Strategic Innovation Fund which is designed to support innovation in higher education institutions.

The majority of the online wellbeing and mental health information on mymindmatters.ie was provided by ReachOut. MMM offers information to students in coping with difficulties including relationship issues, stress, anxiety, addiction and adjusting to college life. ReachOut was launched in 2009 by the Inspire Ireland Foundation, a charitable organisation developed to help young people improve their mental wellbeing. Vincent McCarty of ReachOut said: “Young people understand that everyone goes through tough times. But the challenge is, when they go through tough times themselves, they actually don’t know who to speak to and they don’t know the right service they need, when they need it. That’s what’s great about this service, mymindmatters.ie. What they’ve done is they’ve understood the issues that young people go through. They’ve also understood the channel that’s needed to actually get young people to the service that they need.” The NUI Galway branch of mymindmatters.ie will offer a confidential online counselling and ‘ask a counsellor’ facility. These are not live yet, but students will be able to register, log in and use these services shortly by logging onto https://www.mymindmatters.ie/nuig/. Students’ Union Vice-President and Welfare Officer, Emma Conway, said: “It’s a great website. I am proud and honoured that NUI Galway’s Student Counselling Service was involved with mymindmatters.ie because the counsellors get next to no recognition for all the hard work they do. They look after 17,000 students and also staff members on top of that. They do it with such grace and dignity and they don’t want any credit for it.”

NEWS

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Witless 2011 Third heat on Tuesday By Paul Curley Since kicking off on Tuesday 1st February, Witless 2011 has made its way through the first two heats. This Tuesday will see the third heat, where acoustic acts enter the competition. The winners of the four heats, along with two wildcards will contest the final on 1st March during College Week.

winners of each heat are chosen by a public vote through a texting system, which adds to the fun of the night as the results of how the bands are getting on in the vote and changes will constantly up on the big screen of the college bar until the time is up. The voting takes place on the night for a 15-minute duration after the last act.”

According to the organisers: “Over the years, the Witless band competition has given many bands a great start. The competition and venue offers bands a real experience of the adrenalin rush and pressure of playing live. For the audiences, Witless offers the chance to enjoy the very best of the many student bands in Galway. This year the

The third heat will take place on Tuesday, 15th February at 8pm and will Pic: Aisling Gaffney see six acoustic acts: Kynewolf, Octopus Tattoo, Aidan Breen & Aaron Hastings, Rory Bowens, Con Artists and Padraig Jack fight it out. The 4th heat takes place on Tuesday, 22nd February.

NUIG student raises €1000 in vow of silence By Richard Manton 2nd year Med student, Maria Duignan, has raised in excess of €1000 for Voluntary Services Abroad (VSA) and Draíocht by undertaking a vow of silence. Duignan went to extreme lengths to maintain the week-long vow, even refusing to speak to Gardaí in Loughrea. Donations are still being accepted, contact m.duignan1@nuigalway.ie for more information.

SEEN launch €10 Challenge The newly-formed group, Student Enterprise Exchange Network (SEEN) has launched a €10 Challenge. In this challenge, participants work individually or in teams with €10 investment and attempt to turn the investment into a profit. The competition will run from 21st to 24th February. The first twenty entrants will receive a free SEEN t-shirt. Contact seen.nuigalway@gmail.com for more information.

Road Safety events next week A two day road safety event will be held on the 21st and 22nd of February. The highlights will include guest speakers, a commemoration mass for road crash victims, a fund-raising disco and much more. There will be bucket collections on campus to collect money for the national rehabilitation hospital. 212 people lost their lives on Irish roads last year and hundreds more are left with life altering injuries each year. The national rehabilitation hospital is the only one of its kind in Ireland. Contact ff@socs.nuigalway.ie for more information.

Centre of Astronomy launches free lecture series By Kate Smyth

NUIG’s Centre of Astronomy has launched a series of lectures this semester which are open to students, staff and the public. The first lecture, given by Dr. Matt Redman, took place on Wednesday, 2nd February and focused on the life cycle of stars. Dr Redman explained how the stars form and how they all ‘destroy themselves in the end’. The combination of clear explanations and the astounding photographs from the Hubble Telescope made for a fascinating lecture; experience with astronomy was not required. I learned that stars are likely to form in the dark clouds of dust which make up part of a galaxy. Dr Redman also discussed the life cycle of the sun (which is a star itself) and although it has been burning for 4.6 million years, eventually it will expand and become a red giant, increasing in size and engulfing numerous planets in

our solar system. This will not happen for approximately 5 billion years, so we’re okay for now, but Dr Redman noted that eventually ‘we’ll have to move’. When this happens the sun will become a million times more luminous than it is today. It will eventually end up as a white dwarf – a dense, stable star approximately the same size as the earth. Dr Redman described a supernova and, with the help of photographs from the space telescope, showed what happens when a star collapses and implodes. Further lectures will take place every second week. The next lecture, given by Dr John McDonald, will focus on Pulsars and will take place on Wednesday 16th February in the Larmor Theatre at 7pm. There are also open evenings at the Imbusch Observatory every second week from 7-9pm but tickets need to be arranged in advance (contact info@nuigalway.ie for details).

Law Soc to hold abortion debate By Sinéad Evans

The Law Society will host an Abortion Debate on Wednesday 16th February in the Cairnes Theatre on Campus at 8pm. The motion of the debate will be ‘Abortion: Is it time Ireland followed Europe into the 21st Century?’ The event will feature academics and experts on the area and every side will be represented. The debate is set to the backdrop of the recent European Court of Human Rights ruling in the ABC case and the discussion of the implications of this ruling on Irish Legislation.

Speakers will include pro-choice activists Sinead Ahern and Dr Fiona DeLondras as well as pro-life activists Patrick Buckley, Caroline Simmons and Liam Gibson. Ciara Staunton, an academic in the area, will also be giving an introduction speech into this area of law. This event is open to students and members of the public and tickets shall not be required. For further inquires email lawsoc@socs.nuigalway.ie or phone 087-2533853.

LETTERS Exam Rules Dear Sir, I have few faults with the manner in which exams are organised in the college but there is one practice which has always annoyed me. The ban on leaving the exam hall in the last half hour is one I think is detrimental to people’s efforts in exams as it causes people to rush in an effort to avoid being stuck in an exam hall after finishing their paper. I understand the logic behind the rule, and I agree that preventing disruption towards the end of an exam is important. However would it not be better to ban anyone from leaving in the last fifteen minutes instead? I feel this would still suit those who are in favour of the current system and also please those who dislike it. Kieran Duffy, 3rd Arts

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Draconian clamping Dear Sir, I am writing to you regarding clamping. Safe to say this is not a letter of praise for the draconian devices.

I recently parked in Dangan car park on NUIG campus. This car park has 500 spaces and 53 pay and display spaces and is available for use by staff and student permit holders. I have a valid student permit. From my observation the car park, including the pay and display area, is generally a maximum of half full. On the morning (Of 31/01/11) in question I pulled into the car park, which was busier then usual. I drove around and parked in the back row, popped out and ran for the bus which was pulling out. On my return I found I had a big shiny clamp on the tyre. I had inadvertently parked in one of the pay and display spaces to the rear of the car park. These spaces are marked with signs (which were behind me as I pulled in) and the parking lines are painted blue (which I didn’t notice as I ran for the bus). I was the only one parked in this row and there, please note, was plenty of other available spaces in the car park. Why you might ask did I park there? This was a total accident, an expensive one as it turned out. As it was 7pm when I returned I ended up paying a total of €80 (€60 release fee and €20 ‘out off office time’ fee). I understand where clamping is necessary when drivers are blocking the entrance to facilities such as hospitals, double parked on streets or

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badly parked taking up more then one space. I even understand the reason for clamping within the college grounds as it allows more spaces and better parking facilities. I do not understand how the clamping authority can justify a clamp on a vehicle with a valid permit parked in a car park with approximately 250 free spaces merely because it was accidentally in a pay and display space, of which there was sufficient extra spaces. Have we gone so far that we have forgotten our reason? To ‘to ensure that careless parking does not cause obstructions for other motorists, businesses and impinge on the safety of pedestrians’ (taken from www.citizensinformation.ie). Wheelclamping on private land is illegal in Scotland following the case of Black v Carmichael 1992 SCCR 709, when wheel-clamping was found to constitute extortion. The same could be said for the wheel clamping on the grounds on NUIG, particularly in the Dangan car park, where it is sometimes nothing short of the same: plain, outright extortion. Yours sincerely, Joanne Finnegan

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Unaccountable balls Dear Sir, NUIG balls are organised by specific societies who have pretty much selfappointed themselves to organize balls and this is simply not just in a democratic university like NUIG. For instance, less than 30 people out of over 1400 commerce students went to Bizsocs AGM to elect their committee and less than 30 to Physics Soc’s AGM, who then went on to organize the ball for commerce students and science students. Is it ok that this group of students who were not elected to represent the students of the faculty should be organizing a ball for that faculty? The answer is simply no. The organizers should be students who were elected by the students to represent the students, aka Class representatives. What we have is societies committees that are usually elected by a very small number of people appointing themselves to do it. The profits of any activities should not go into the societies pocket or used to pay for free tickets for the organizers friends. Balls should be designed so that no profit is made, and tickets are offered to students at the lowest price, its fair to say that students have enough to pay for with raising registration fees, book fees etc.

I think its time that the students union steps up and gets a hold of the situation after all, the students union are here to represent the students and should have noticed this fundamental flaw ages ago. It’s no longer ok that this undemocratic situation is allowed to continue. This is not dictatorship and we want our balls to organized by students who were elected by us to represent us not by a societies committee who were elected by less than 30 students who went to an AGM. The students union has already disappointed students this year with a lack of social events for students, failing to stop the increased registration fee and no dedicated events officer. The question is will the students union continue to disappoint or will they take up the challenge of restoring equity to the system and take action to ensure that students needs are met? It will not be easy at first to set up a system, but the students union are paid by us, so rather than spending their spare time hanging around the college bar socializing during office hours I think they should take control of the situation. Regards, NUIG Student

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For the last five months there has been limited disability access around the college, and for five months the situation has been assured as temporary. In response to the recent buildings issues that have occurred and the new semester the problem of access is obvious. Emma McManus, 3rd Arts, spoke to Sin about the problems that she faces as a mobility impaired student. “Access is a huge issue for me at the moment. I would understand more if building was actually going on, why I’m going through this hardship, but now that there’s nothing happening it’s a big problem”. Emma outlined how the journey from the Arts Concourse to the Arts Millennium Building could take her up to fifteen minutes, either including many journeys by lift or having to exit through the IT building and journeying beneath the concourse. Liz Walsh, Disability Officer, commented that it was unacceptable to make students who are mobility impaired journey up to an extra 20 minutes to get to their classes on time. However Emma received no prior notification that she would be inconvenienced so much at the beginning of the

year, “I just turned up in September and building was happening, I didn’t receive any notification of the construction that was going to be happening. Emma was quick to defend her position “I understand that there are certain restrictions and I’m okay with it but this new construction has made the situation much more difficult. The staff everywhere are really understanding and helpful, lecturers are really accommodating. I couldn’t fault a single staff or student; it’s just that the environment feels quite hostile”. The blocked off areas have impacted Emma’s daily routine considerably, “ I used to go to Wards for lunch, but now what with both the ramp outside the library cut off and the area beside the Arts Millennium Building still blocked off it’s far too much hassle”. She spoke about how isolating certain aspects of her college life can be, “When I go to the back of a lecture theatre there are only two places I can sit. I do feel alienated at times.” Emma spoke about the little things that she feels single her out in this community, “To get to the canteen is a huge issue, I get a swipe card [for the lift], but in

this way I am being differentiated. Also, the books on disability in the Library are actually out of reach for anyone who is mobility impaired. I found that really hurtful.” Sin spoke to the Buildings office in order to shed some light on the current situation that Emma faces daily, where no construction is taking place but a great deal of the campus is still cut off. Greg Power and David Gavin began by highlighting the McNamara problem, “the McNamara (now in receivership) site beside the Hardiman Library was originally due to conclude in January 2012, but will now be delayed for a considerable period, and the exact timeline for its conclusion is not yet known, but the University is committed to completing this project.” They stated that, “our plans in this area were agreed in advance with the Disability Officer and we are making every effort to reduce inconvenience to all members of the University community. Unfortunately some disruption is inevitable where development on this scale is involved. We apologise for any inconvenience caused to staff and students.” They told Sin that temporary measures are

being made to deal with the access issue, “There is provision for a temporary ramp to be installed by the end of this month. This ramp was planned to take place just around the time the company went into receivership. As the re-start is taking longer than anticipated we are now going ahead with the temporary ramp ourselves.” This, according to Kevin O’ Sullivan (also of the Building’s Office) is in addition to “an external platform lift to be installed on the northwest corner of the Bialann restaurant exit. This will operate on 3 levels, to allow access to the Bialann restaurant, the Arts Millennium building level and the Library Podium level, the lift will be completely enclosed and will have automatic doors. There are other plans to upgrade some older buildings to make them universal access compliant but these are contingent on funding”. He pointed out that “the plan is to install the platform lift by the end of this April”. All of this sounds promising however it doesn’t fix many the problems which appear frequently around the college, the recent closure of the Tower Block two lift due to maintenance. The problem

was present for a number of days and the solution offered by the Building’s Office is that students ask their lecturers to have any classes held in the tower block to a different room. This problem has since been remedied but Emma pointed out that issues like this are particularly frustrating, stating “I have a personal assistant but she can’t help me if the lift won’t work”. Student Union Equality Officer Robin Allen continued to point out that access in the college is inadequate, also highlighting that the lift shaft in the Arts Millennium Building is too small but can’t be replaced. What with any one of these problems it becomes easy to see why Emma would say that “I definitely don’t feel part of a general population, I mean I have a personal assistant but she can’t help me if the lift won’t work”. Emma finished by saying, “Last semester I was exhausted come Christmas and I’m not certain but I’m starting to think it was all the extra journeying I had to do. It can be hard because all the little slights add up but like I said earlier I couldn’t fault the staff or the students, it’s the environment”.

By Fergal O' Grady

No Erasmus for Engineers As many of you may already know, the Erasmus program is an EU funded project that gives students around Europe the opportunity to study one or two semesters in another country while still receiving full credit for the work they do.

due to lack of interest. A few weeks ago, 141 first year engineering students signed a petition asking for access to the Erasmus program. It was then handed on to members of the engineering faculty and the SU Education Officer, Emmett Connolly.

Aside from the obvious benefits of better weather and an interesting new culture to explore, it has become an increasingly important method for students to improve their language and communications skills. This is especially true in technology and IT sectors where you will be expected to actively work with teams spread across the world.

After a little wait, I was asked to attend a meeting with Professor Gerry Lyons, Dean of Engineering and Informatics. He said that the matter had been discussed and that members of the faculty had done some research on other universities in Ireland that do offer the Erasmus programs to engineering/IT students. He then went on to explain why NUIG is unlikely to change its Erasmus policy for engineers:

I returned to education this year at the age of 25, but before this I worked for an Internet publishing company. My supervisor lived and worked in Canada, the owner worked from Paris or London depending on the time of year, the publisher lived Mexico, head office was in the U.S., and a team of freelancers were spread everywhere from Argentina, to Panama, to Vietnam, and back to Italy. I rarely spoke to anyone face to face. And my story is not uncommon. In software or technology companies management is often done in the U.S., manufacturing in China, software development and customer support in India. And, up until recently, there was probably an office in Ireland (mostly for tax avoidance reasons but that's another story). To get ahead in any high-tech industry these days, international experience and language skills can only better your chances of standing out from the crowd and getting that job. And considering that the strongest economies in the world right now are no longer English speaking nations, this trend will likely continue. Unfortunately, unlike many Irish universities, it is not currently possible to study abroad while studying engineering or IT in NUIG - but not

Logistics: Because of the professional accreditation that comes with an engineering degree, there are strict rules about the subjects covered. Finding a program that matches ours can be time consuming and once one is found setting up the program can take a long time (18 to 24 months). The fact that we have a work placement in third year only compounds this matter by further reducing the time available. (University of Limerick, our sister university, does offer both.)

Lack of uptake among students: Even when offered this opportunity, few Irish students actually end up going. Much less than the number coming in from other countries, which costs the university money.

Students tend to fail their Erasmus year: Unlike an arts student abroad an engineering student would be expected to do all the subjects they do at home. Apparently, the level of maths taught in mainland European engineering programs is much higher than that taught in Ireland (God help them!). The good news is that it is possible to do your work placement overseas -

but I expect the bulk of the work finding a placement would be done by

probably be time better spent.

the student.

Anyone interested in these programs, or continuing to push for the option to study abroad should speak to their course director. For now, the best option may be to look into master's programs overseas. Spain has the sun. The Netherlands has great cafés. Finland has the cold, but everyone is tall and blonde. And they all have some very interesting programs taught in English.

In addition, biomedical students will soon be able to do a full-credit year in Purdue University in the U.S., ut there are currently no plans for expanding this program to include other engineers. The college would also allow a student to do a no-credit year abroad. However this would only add a year to your degree and doing a masters in another country would

ALIVE 18, *DOZD\·V &RPPXQLW\ 9ROXQWHHULQJ 3URJUDPPH

An opportunity of a lifetime What do ALIVE community volunteers do? talk to people y work with animals y drive cars y plant trees y write letters y paint walls y host events y raise funds y cook dinners y walk dogs y play music y listen to people y give first aid y collect for recycling y engage with young people y spend time with older people y keep accounts y campaign on justice issues y office work y after school support for children and much more! Sign up to volunteer on the ALIVE website x Volunteer Opportunities Database with over 120 Community opportunities x Map of Galway with Community Organisations markers to help you find your way x Stories from ALIVE community volunteers x Videos and interviews with community organisations

su pages Student Nurses National Protest 16th February

Upcoming Class Reps Meetings Monday 14th Feb

6pm – 7pm

Science FCRC in AC216

Tuesday 15th Feb

6pm – 7pm

A protest march and rally, from Parnell

Health Sciences FCRC in the SU Office

Square in Dublin to the Department of

Thursday 17th Feb

Health and Children will take place on

Commerce FCRC in the SC200A

12pm – 1pm

Wednesday February 16th between 12pm

SU Student Enterprise Awards Launched

both the innovation and creative abilities of students to formulate their concept for their project, and for 6 finalists to take their ideas forward and to set about implementing their projects with the assistance of a financial allowance of €500 and the assistance of an assigned mentor with relevant expertise. The

The NUI Galway Student Enterprise

overall winner will receive a direct

Awards aim to unlock the potential of

investment of €15,000 in their project to

the students of NUI Galway to invest in

really help get it off the ground in

their own futures today. If you have an

addition to further guidance and

idea for a new business proposal, a

mentoring to help bring the project

community beneficial social enterprise or

forward, while two runners up prizes,

and 1.30pm. Transport will be organised by

If you have any queries in relation to Class

an artistic minded initiative then this is

each valued at €2,000 will also be

the Students' Union. Anyone can sign up for

Reps please contact Emmet on

competition that can allow you to realise

awarded. If you’re interested then check

buses at the SU Office.

su.education@nuigalway.ie.

your goal. This competition embraces

out www.suenterpriseawards.com

SHAG Week 2011: February 14th – 18th

SU Sessions Lost Chord This week the SU Sessions presents Lost Chord. The band who formed in Galway in 2008, released their debut the "There is no Lost Chord E.P" in January 2010 and haven't

SHAG (Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance) is a campaign run to promote a safe and responsible attitude to sex. The Students’ Union will distribute loads of "SHAG Packs" to students which include a condom and safe sex information throughout the week together with the following events promoting safer sex.

“Bring Back Day” for Enable Ireland

slowed down since. On the back of their E.P they have played numerous headline slots

12pm - 4pm: Shagtastic Movie

around Ireland, as well as support to The XX, Fujiya & Miyagi and the New York Dolls.

Marathon in the Large Acoustic Room

Their stage antics at these shows frighten their mothers, and maybe yours too if you

featuring Austin Powers and The

bring her along.

Secretary.

6pm -8pm: Flirt FM Happy Hour Shag Week Competition 101.3fm

6pm -7pm: The SU Sessions present Lost Chord in An Bialann

7pm: Comedy Soc presents ‘Sex Traffic’ with Comedian Keith Farnan in AM 250. Tickets are €3 from the Socs Box.

8pm: GIGSoc present the interactive ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’

Wednesday 16th Feb 11am -4pm: Health Fair in the Bailey

Simon Fagan

Monday 14th Feb 11am-3pm: Stands in Áras na Mac Léinn 12pm: ROPES Valentines Day Cake Sale

Allen Hall

Fagan is not our typical Irish singer songwriter. Blending elements of gospel and folk

in aid of Aware in Áras na Mac Léinn

2pm -6pm: Mad Men marathon in the

with acoustic rock Simon and his band produce a big Americana sound. In 2009, Simon

5pm – 7pm: Free sexual health clinics in

Large Acoustic Room

toured heavily throughout Ireland and the UK, performing on no fewer then nine

the Student Health Unit, Áras na Mac

5pm – 7pm: Free sexual health clinics in

primetime BBC radio shows, Newstalk’s Weekend Blend and Today with Pat Kenny on

Léinn. Make an appointment at reception

the Student Health Unit, Áras na Mac

RTE radio in Ireland. He has previously opened for Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson

or phone 091 – 492604.

Léinn. Make an appointment at reception

and more recently at Laura Izibor’s sold out Tripod show in Dublin.

6pm -8pm: Flirt FM Happy Hour Shag

or phone 091 – 492604.

The SU Sessions present Simon Fagan on Tuesday the 22nd of February at 6pm. Simon

Week Competition 101.3fm

6pm -8pm: Flirt FM Happy Hour Shag

The SU Sessions are a free weekly event open to the public and hosted by NUI Galway

7.30pm: Theology of the body: The

Week Competition 101.3fm

Students' Union in An Bialann (The Canteen NUIG) every Tuesday at 6pm.

truth, meaning and beauty of human

Thursday 17th Feb

www.myspace.com/thesusessions

sexuality in the Catholic Church in the

6pm -8pm: Flirt FM Happy Hour Shag

Chapel Common Room

Week Competition 101.3fm

8pm -10pm: Who’s Got the Biggest

8pm: The College Week Lit & Deb

Brain? Table Quiz – The Sexy Edition in

Debate “Charity Begins At Home”

the College Bar. Top prize €1,000!

8pm: ‘Take Me Out’ in the College Bar Tuesday 15th Feb 11am -3pm: Stands in Áras na Mac Léinn

9am – 11am: Commerce Students

There is also a free and confidential STI Clinic at UHG phone 091 525200 to make an appointment. For more information on the SHAG Week campaign contact Emma at su.welfare@nuigalway.ie

su pages

College Week GET INVOLVED This year we are raising money for two excellent charities, Ability West and the Alan Kerins Projects. Ability West provides high quality, community based services and support to children and adults with an intellectual disability and their families throughout Galway. The Alan Kerins Projects work in Zambia with vulnerable children and isolated families to alleviate poverty by improving basic standards of living. Here is just a taster of what to expect at this years College Week. World Record Attempt: Largest Rock the Boat – Yes it’s that time

Monday 28th of February at 8pm in the

a 90’s After Party included for all

Kirwan Theatre with support from Fred

participants!

and down the country where everyone sits

If you feel like jumping out of a perfectly

Cooke. Tickets are only €5 with your SU card.

honoured dance of weddings and debs up

5 A Side Competition:

their legs akimbo, swaying back and forth

Who’s Got the Biggest Brain?

and side to side to the sounds of that

In the lead up to College Week we are

Thursday 3rd March and it is only €40 to

classic number “Rock the Boat”. The

hosting a weekly table quiz with QuizSoc

current world record stands at 820

to determine which school has the biggest

Union. Spaces are limited.

participants and we are confident that the

brains. This Monday 14th February at 8pm

students of NUI Galway can easily beat

Engineering will take on Health Sciences in

this record whilst raising money for two

round 3. Remember the grand prize for the

very worthy causes at the same time.

overall winning team is €1,000 sponsored

Registration from 12pm for the record

by the College Bar which is not a bad way

attempt at 1pm in the Sports Hall on

to start College Week! To register your

Monday February 28th.

team call up to the Students’ Union office

on the floor, ruining their suit/dress, with

with their details and the €20 entry fee.

PhD in a Box – Our Postgrad

Sponsored Croagh Patrick Climb:

Wednesday 2nd of March at 8pm. Tickets

The final year Science students are

are only €10 with your SU card and this

organising a sponsored climb of Croagh

event is strictly over 18’s.

Patrick on Sunday 27th of February. To

The Rubberbandits:

SU Full Time Election: Thursday 10th March SU Part Time Election Nominations Open: Thursday 10th March SU Part Time Election Nominations Close: 5pm Wednesday 16th March Part Time Canvassing BEGINS: Monday 21st March SU Part Time Election: Thursday 24th March

take part just pick up a sponsorship card

David McSavage

For more info email: studentsunion@nuigalway.ie or call up and talk to any of

from the Students’ Union and raise a

the current officers about the positions.

will also be playing College Week on

minimum of €50. Buses, walking sticks and

NUI Awards 2011 NUI Travelling Studentships

Closing date: 25 March 2011

Publication Prize for Irish History Closing date: 4 April 2011

The Studentships are designed to fund postgraduate studies at doctoral level. Each Studentship is valued at €42,000 over three years.

This Prize of €3,000, is offered for the best work of Irish historical research published since 1 April 2008 as a first sole author book. It is open to NUI graduates with doctoral degree awarded no earlier than 1 January 2005.

At least F O U R Travelling Studentships in the H u m a n i t i e s a n d S o c i a l Sciences and T WO Travelling Studentships in the Sciences will be awarded.

NUI Dr Mary L Thornton Scholarship in Education Closing date: 4 April 2011

Closing date: 15 April 2011

This Prize of €5,000 is offered for the best work of Irish historical research, published by an NUI graduate in the period since 1 April 2008. This prestigious award will be of interest to senior history scholars.

This Prize of €5,000 is intended to encourage postgraduate research in the field of education.

Irish Historical Research Prize

Full details and application procedures are available at w w w. n u i . i e / a wa rd s

Other awards open to NUI undergraduates and graduates include the Dr H H Stewart Literary and Medical Scholarships, the Mansion House Scholarships in Irish and Irish History and the Pierce Malone Scholarships in Engineering and Philosophy. Students and graduates are automatically entered for these competitions.

49 Cearnóg Mhuirfean, Baile Átha Cliath 2 / 49 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 Teileafón/Telephone: +353 1 439 2424 Facs/Fax: +353 1 439 2466 Ríomhphost/Email: awards@nui.ie Gréasan/Website: www.nui.ie

Set yourself apart. Invest in your future with a Postgraduate qualification in Law. Postgraduate Diploma/MA in Law (NQAI Level 9, full or part-time) Law is important to a career in business, finance, human resources, insurance, and in the public service or voluntary sector. The Postgraduate Diploma/MA in Law is ideal for graduates in any discipline who wish to set themselves apart with a legal qualification. The Postgraduate Diploma in Law is a one-year intensive programme. Students can pick from the ‘core’ modules (e.g. Contract, Tort, Property, Equity, Constitutional, Company, EU, Criminal Law) or a range of interesting optional subjects (Human Rights, International Trade, Criminology, Media, Intellectual Property Law). Graduates of the PGDip are eligible to complete the Master of Arts in Law. MA students receive individual supervision on a sustained research project, which will enhance their marketability by deepening legal research, reasoning and writing skills.

Download the Rape Crisis Apps

Also offered in the School of Social Sciences and Law:

MA Criminology MA Child, Family and Community Studies Deadline for applications: 22nd April 2011, though offers will be made on a rolling basis. Apply now to secure your place for next year!

www.rcni.ie/apps

To discuss the programme in more detail, call Bruce Carolan, Head of Department of Law at (01) 402-3016.

For further information or an application form, please contact Ms. Emma Linnane at E: emma.linnane@dit.ie or T: (01) 4027181 W: www.dit.ie/socialscienceslaw

know kno w how how to help a friend RCNI

www.dit.ie

DIT - It’s a step closer to the real world.

@RCNIRELAND

...

Political Reform

Party Policy Grid

The

3 Galway West Profiles

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Who will you vote for?

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Má M áire ir re A Alliic ce C Clle ea ary y Fa F aill I w wan an a nt to ov vot o e fo ot or. r and th an and here ere is er sn no oo -o on ne fr rom mF Fia ia an nn na “F Fin ne Ga G e ell. I lliike e tthe he heir eir rp pol olic ol icie es

Tom Dani To Dan Da niie ells sk kepti epttiica ep cal. al. l." she w sh wa as as as a k ke ed, d s so o now now I' no I m a bi bt real re ally al ya ans n w ns we eri ring ng g th he eq que uesttio ue ons s [F [Fid Fiid del e ma ma H Hea ealy ea y Eam a es es] wa wasn sn'tt sn bu b ut th t e ca cand n id nd dat ate e att tthe he ed deb e atte eb "II h " had ad a d be ee e en n tth hin nk kiing gF Fin in ne G Ga a ael e , el

&J Je ess sic ica Cu Curtis rttis is Co onn n or or G Geo eo e ogh ogh gheg ega an n more mo more e bef efor or o r re e I de deci cide de." de " think th ink I ne in need d tto o in nfo orm rm m mys ys sel e f allw a wa ays ys v vot oted ot ed d for or tthe he h em m,, b but utt I u in ing ng La Labo bour ur r. M My y ffam am mil iyh ha av ve e "I'm "I mn not o s ot sur ur u re y ye et, t b but u I'm ut m tthi hn hi nk k-

Pa aul ul M McE cE c Eoi on the qu th the ue es sttiion ons. s” giv gi viing gu us s “y yes s or no o” a an ns sw we er rs tto rs o brin br ng th the p po olliiti t ci c an ns ba back back k on ntto ma an na ag ge ed we elll, th hey ey ttri ried ed tto o here he e in co coll l eg ege, ge, e ttho houg ho ug u gh it w was as a s a ro ac oss s qui uite t ba ad dlly y iin n tth he de deba bate te e Fian Fi an nn na aF Fái áiil re á eallly y, th they hey yc cam am a me Nial Ni all Ó Brol all Br rol o chái ch há áiin n.. Any nybo od dy yb but utt u “T The e Gr re een ens,, be ec cau use se I k kno no n ow

Step St epha pha h ni n e Fu url rlon on ng Part Pa rty ty d diid. d.” deba de eba bate te.. No o-o one e ffro ro om th he G Gr reen ee en date da dat tes wh tes who ho tu urn r ed du up p fo for tth hat at Co C onn ne ellly yw wer er e re th he on nlly y can ndi diOC O’ Clloc och ha ar rttaiigh gh a and nd d Cat athe heri rine ne du d uri ri n ng gg gre reen re en w en wee ee ek an nd Tr Trev vor or d ba de atte ea abo bout bo utt n u nat atur at ra all r re es e esou so ou urc rces es hu h um uma ma an ri r gh ghts ts. Also Also Al so w we eh ha ad a tiion na all h hum um ma an n rig ght hts an a d Ir ris sh ar re th he be est st r reg eg gar rd diin ng g iint nter nt nter rnanana “Sin “S nn Fé éin n - I tthi hink hi k tthe heiir he rp pol olliic cie cie es

Ma M aur uric ce C Co ottttter er er and an d Ca Cather th her erin rin ne Co onn nol olly ly” ly ” be b ettw we ee en D De ere rek ek No Nola an (L Lab abou ur) r) II’’m ac actu tual tual tu a ly l a lit ittl teb tl biit to orn rn goo go good od d a jjob ob o ba as s th they y say ay tthe h y wi he will ll. don do n’’t h ha av ve e ffai aiith h in tth hem m tto o do d a as s than th n tthe he h e llas as a st g go ove v rn rnme rnme mentt. Bu But I ma ajo or pa art rtie ies, es, s and nd m muc u hb uc be etttte er r do tthe do he eb bes est jo es job b of o any ny o off th t e fail fa ilur res. es. I th es hiin nk th ha att tthe hey wo he w u ulld po p oli lc ciie es sa and nd o nd org rg gan a iz zat atio tio iona al prin pr in inci ncipl ciipl ples e , de d sp spit itte s so om me eo off th thei eir r th hin nk th they they yh hav a e tth av h he eb be est st s set et of et “ ’m “I mv vot ottin ng fo or La Lab bo ou ur rb bec ec e ca au use use eI

“T The e Grre een ens,, be eccau use se I k kno no n ow Nial Ni all Ó Brol all Brrol o chái ch há áiin n.. Any nybo od dyy b but utt u Fian Fi an nn na aF Fái áiil re á ealllyy, th they heyy ccam am a me a ro ac osss qui uite t ba ad dllyy iin n tth he de deba bate te e here he e in co coll l eg ege, ge, e ttho houg ho ug u gh it w was ass a ma an na ag ge ed we elll, th hey ey ttri ried ed tto o brin br ng th the p po olliiti t ci c an ns ba back back k on ntto givviing gi gu uss “yyess or no o” a an nssw we errs rs tto o the qu th the ue essttiion ons. s” Pa aul ul M McE ccE Eoi on

“Sin “S nn Fé éin n - I tthi hink hi k tthe heiirr p he pol olliiccie cie es arre th he be est st rreg eg garrd diin ng g iint nterrnant nter nana tiion na all h hum um ma an n rig ght hts an a d Irrissh hu h um uma ma an ri r gh ghts ts. Also Also Al so w we eh ha ad a d ba de atte ea abo bout bo utt n u nat aturra at all rre esso e esou ou urc rces es du d uri ri n ng gg gre reen re en w en wee ee ek an nd Tr Trevvor or OC O’ Clloc och ha arrttaiigh gh a and nd d Cat athe heri rine ne Co C onn ne elllyy w wer erre th e he on nllyy can ndi di-date da dat tes wh tes who ho tu urn r ed du up p fo for tth hat at deba de eba bate te.. No o-o one e ffro ro om th he G Grreen ee en Part Pa rty ty d diid. d.” Sttep S epha pha h ni n e Fu url rlon on ng

“ ’m “I m vvot ottin ng fo or La Lab bo ou urr b bec ecca e au use use eI th hin nk th theyy h they hav a e tth av h he eb be est st sset et of et prin pr in inci ncipl ciipl ples e , de d sp spit itte sso om me eo off th thei eirr po p oli l cciie ess a and nd o nd org rg gan a izzat atio tio iona al fail fa ilurres. es. I th es hiin nk th ha att tthe hey wo he w u ulld do tthe do he eb bes est jo es job b of o any ny o off th t e ma ajo or pa art rtie ies, es, s and nd m muc u hb uc be etttte err than th n tthe he h e llas asst g a go ove v rn rnme rnme mentt. Bu But I don do n’’t h ha avve e ffai aiith h in tth hem m tto o do d a ass goo go good od d a jjob ob o ba ass th theyy say ay tthe h y wi he will ll. II’’m ac actu tual tual tu a ly l a lit ittl teb tl biit to orn rn be b ettw we ee en D De ere rek ek No Nola an (L Lab abou ur) r) and an d Ca Cather th her erin rin ne Co onn nol olly ly”” ly Ma M aur uricce C Co ottttter er er

“F Fin ne Ga G e ell. I lliike e tthe he heir eirr p pol olic ol icie es and th an and here ere iss n er no o--o o on ne frrom mF Fia ia an nn na Fa F aill I w wan an a nt to o vvot o e fo ot or. r Má M áire irre A Alliicce C Clle ea ary y

""II h had ad a d be ee e en n tth hin nk kiing gF Fin in ne G Ga a ael e, el bu b ut th t e ca cand n id nd dat ate e att tthe he ed deb e atte eb [F [Fid Fiid del e ma ma H Hea ealyy Eam ea a es es] wa wasn sn'tt sn real re allyy a al ans n w ns we eri ring ng g th he eq que uesttio ue onss she w sh wa as as as a k ke ed, d sso o now now I' no I m a bi bt sk kepti epttiica ep cal. al. l." Tom Dani To Dan Da niie ells

"I'm "I mn not o ssur ot urre yye u et, t b but u I'm ut m tthi hn hi nk kin ing ng La Labo bour urr. M Myy ffam am mil iyh ha avve e allw a wa ays ys vvot oted ot ed d for or tthe he h em m,, b but utt I u think th ink I ne in need d tto o in nfo orm rm m mys yssel ef more mo more e bef efor orrre o e I de deci cide de."" de Co onn n or or G Geo eo e ogh ogh gheg ega an n &J Je ess sic ica Cu Curtis rttis is

Fees There has been much talk of the return of a “student contribution” to third level education. There have been suggestions that this be implemented in the form of fees, a graduate tax or a loan scheme. All forms of fees have the similar consequences: students would be denied access to third level education or encouraged to leave Ireland on graduation so not to be burdened with high taxes or loan repayments. Here are three reasons to oppose fees: Fees won't save money during the recession Neither a graduate tax or graduate loan system will cut state spending. Even if graduates manage to find a job in Ireland, they will take years to repay the debt. Fees will restrict access to third-level education The government wants to increase third-level participation rates to 72% by the year 2020. Forcing €32,000 of debt for a science or technology degree on potential students is no way to encourage participation from all economic backgrounds. Fees will increase government debt and emigration - In Australia they have introduced a graduate tax system which is currently owed $10billion (€5.8billion) by graduates who have chosen to leave the country. New Zealand's loan system, with a population similar to Ireland's, has a collective debt of over €5billion after 20 years in operation. With the economy likely to struggle for years to come, we are giving our graduates an incentive to emigrate and never come back. The choice for them will be to emigrate debt-free or stay and owe and average of €32,000.

Mature Students Currently mature students automatically receive the non-adjacent grant irrespective of the distance from their place of residence to their place of study. Under Budget 2011 mature students will no longer automatically qualify for the nonadjacent rate of the grant and will be required to meet the new criteria i.e. their place of residences must be greater than 45km from their place of study. Figures from the Department of Education & Skills suggest that this will affect 7,000 students from the start of the academic year 2011/2012.

Gradate Unemployment and Emigration It is documented that of the graduating class of 2009, over 100 graduates are now emigrating each week, having given up hope of finding a decent job in Ireland after many months of searching. The ERSI has estimated that over 150,000 people will leave Ireland between 2010 and 2015, representing the biggest brain drain since the early 1990s. Unemployment among the under-25s is now over 30% with over 90,000 of those in that age bracket unable to find work. Many of those 90,000 hold third-level degrees but after working hard at secondary school to get their CAO points and in third-level to get their degree, they now find themselves without anything to do in Ireland.

Student Grant Budget 2011 included a 4% reduction in Student Maintenance Grants. This was on top of a similar cut in 2010. The Grant increased very little during the good years, and now it’s been one of the payments to be hit hardest. In addition Budget 2011 proposes increasing the distance required to qualify for the non-adjacent rate (which is significantly higher to reflect the costs of living away from home) from 24km to 45km for all existing and new applicants from September 2011. This will affect students from some of our main feeder towns and villages, in particular Tuam, Ardrahan, Headford, Loughrea and Gort, as well as many rural areas in Connemara. These students will see their grant reduced by up to €3,810. Nationwide, this change will result in 25,000 students losing their non-adjacent grants. While this decision is included in the documents for Budget 2011 it will be up to the new Minister for Education & Skills to make a final decision when they publish the grant scheme for the 2011/12 academic year in May/June.

Pay for student nurses

Quality of Education

The Government intends to change the payment arrangements for student nurses and midwives on clinical placement. At the moment nurses and midwives are paid 80% of the minimum salary for the 36 weeks of the rostered placement. This placement requires students to work a full roster including 12 hour days, night duty and weekend shift patterns. During this time student nurses replace staff nurses on wards and are an integral part of the workforce, providing essential, direct and immediate bedside care.

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has found that in 2005 Ireland was spending 1.2% of our national income on thirdlevel education, a decrease from 1.5% in the year 2000. They also found that our euro-foreuro spending was below the international average. As for the pitiful Student Grant, which is aimed at helping ordinary families send their children to college, it doesn't even cover the cost of rent in the main university towns.

The Government intends to impose the following pay reductions of the coming years:

2011 - 76% of the minimum point on the new lower scale

2012 - 60%

The government is attempting to create a world-class third-level education system without funding it properly. Instead, it wants 18 year old Leaving Cert students to take on the funding issue and spend years repaying graduate loans or taxes.

of the minimum point on the new lower scale

2013 - 50% of the minimum point on the new lower scale

2014 - 40% of the minimum point on the new lower scale

2015 onwards - no payment

Election 2011 is possibly the most important election since the foundation of the state. The future of education is certainly up for grabs. The policies of the next government will undoubtedly affect education for generations. Students all over the country need to use the opportunity of this election to bring our inﬂuence to bear and ensure that those elected are committed to a quality education system that is accessible to people from all economic backgrounds. Above are some of the key issues in education. Find out what candidates in your constituency intend to do to solve these issues

Catherine Connolly

Michael Crowe

Mike Cubbard

Frank Fahey

Noel Grealish

Independent

Fianna Fáil

Independent

Fianna Fáil (outgoing TD)

Independent (outgoing TD)

Once a member of the Labour Party, Connolly stood as an independent in the last general election in 2007. She has been on Galway City Council since 1999 and has served as Mayor. Connolly was one of the best performer (if not winner) of the NUIG debate.

Originally elected to Galway City Council in 2004, Crowe moved to FF and has been one of the more vocal councilors in recent years. In 2007, Crowe narrowly missed out on the last seat – which would have made 3 out of 5 for FF.

Cubbard is the youngest candidate in this constituency, at 25 years. He ran in the local elections in 2009 in the Central ward and polled a respectable 474 votes. Cubbard is raising the issues of the bank bailouts, job creation, cuts, Galway Outer Bypass, health and transparency.

Having served 20 of the last 25 years in the Dáil, Fahey is one of the most well known politicians in Galway – but not always for the right reasons. Fahey has seen protests from a variety of groups, most notably for his involvement in the Corrib gas controversy.

A former leader of the PDs, Grealish is well known in his area around Oranmore. Grealish is one of the group of post-PD independents running around the country. The question is whether, as a governmentsupporting independent, Grealish will feel the full backlash as FF and the Greens will.

Prediction:

In the ﬁght for the last seat.

Problems with the swing away from FF and splitting votes with Frank Fahey mean that Crowe will struggle, mid-table ﬁnish.

No chance of being elected, but could get a few hundred votes more than expected with a swing to independents.

Competition from Crowe and the swing away from FF will lose him his seat.

Grealish will certainly compete and if he can avoid the public backlash will be in the ﬁght for the last seat.

Fidelma Healy Eames

Uinseann Holmes

Sean Kyne

Hildegarde Naughton

Derek Nolan

Fine Gael

Independent

Fine Gael

Labour

Healy Eames is one of the more well known candidates in this constituency. She has unsuccessfully run for the Dáil in 2002 and 2007, but was elected onto the Labour Panel of the Seanad after her failed Dáil attempt in 2007. Her interrupting and long-winded conduct in the NUIG debate frustrated many.

Holmes was one of the last to declare his candidacy and appears to be an unusual candidate at that. Holmes is the general secretary of the National Reform Party (NRP), which is still in the process of formation. The NRP claims to be a centre-right party and is raising issues about Ireland’s sovereignty and lowtax economy.

Kyne is one of the four Fine Gael candidates in Galway West and the one likely to fair the worst. Based in Connemara, Kyne was elected as a councilor in 2004 and 2009. However, a quick look at his transfers from his failed general election attempt in 2007 show that his vote may be more regional based than party based.

Elected to Galway City Council on her ﬁrst attempt in 2009, Naughton regularly features in the Galway newspapers. She is a teacher by trade and could be seen as up and coming within FG.

A former NUIG student, Nolan has reappeared in the university for debates down the years and has many supporters here. He was elected to Galway City Council in 2009. Nolan replaces the institution that is Michael D Higgins, however some questions still hover about Labour’s ability to transfer the Michael D votes to Nolan.

Prediction:

Will inherit Padraig McCormack’s seat and may be a prominent member of the next government.

Holmes will feature in the relegation-zone of the results sheet.

Last of the FG four, but may still perform very well, especially if transfers go his way.

Third of the FG four, in a dog-ﬁght for the last seat.

Nolan will take the third or fourth seat.

Eamon Ó Cuiv

Brian Walsh

Eamon Walsh

Tom Welby

Fianna Fáil

Fine Gael

Independent

Green Party

Elected to Galway City Council in 2004 and 2009, this is Walsh’s ﬁrst attempt at the Dáil. He is a former mayor of Galway City and former president of the GMIT Students’ Union. Unlike the other three FG candidates, Walsh is based in the city.

Walsh is a ﬁrst time candidate and is running on a programme of health and disability rights. Walsh has been very vocal in his criticism of the HSE and appears to be a genuine, independent campaigner. At the NUIG debate, Walsh was treated poorly and unfairly by the organisation and was forced to speak from the crowd rather than the top table.

Welby, along with Grealish and Donal Lyons, made up the Galway West PD trio in 2007. Like Grealish, he became an independent (unlike Ciarán Cannon who joined FG) when the PDs disbanded in 2009. Welby is another of the Conamara candidates and has a core personal vote.

Prediction:

Guaranteed seat, but with fewer votes than the last twenty years

Will beneﬁt from swing to FG, share Padraig McCormack’s vote with FHE and get elected.

Will perform well, but won’t threaten for a seat.

Mid-table ﬁnish

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh

Niall Ó Brolcháin

Sinn Féin

Green Party

Somewhat of an unknown quantity, Ó Clochartaigh has ran and not been elected in Connemara in 2004 and 2009. It is possible that the lack of another candidate led to his selection for the general election. SF have historically performed poorly in this constituency (one candidate has never broken 1,700 ﬁrst preferences), however, the party is up nationally and Ó Clochartaigh performed well at the NUIG debate.

Ó Brolcháin is another of the better known candidates, known for his up and down political career over the last few years if anything. Elected as a councilor in 2004, he went on to serve as Mayor and narrowly missed out on a Dáil seat in 2007. However, in the massacre of Green councilors in 2009, Ó Brolcháin lost his council seat. He soon bounced back and was appointed as a Senator.

Prediction:

Bottom half, however may build a vote for SF for the

Mid-table at best

(outgoing TD and Minister) Ó Cuiv is undoubtedly the most well known candidate in this constituency and is a celebrity in Connemara. In one sense, Ó Cuiv is the Jackie Healy Rae of Connemara – beneﬁts for the area, huge personal vote, but in another sense he typiﬁes everything Fianna Fáil and will stick to FF like the captain of a sinking ship.

Prediction:

Predicted Seats (in no particular order): Ó Cuiv Healy Eames Walsh (Brian) Nolan And one of: Connolly Grealish Naughton

Increased registration fee to €2000 – a return to fees. Believe in need for student contribution to cost of third level. Have investigated deferred loans scheme.

Produced ‘Third Way’ document. Believe in need for student contribution to cost of third level. Have committed to bring in graduate tax for all graduates above a certain income threshold.

Introduced ‘Free Fees’ while in Education portfolio in government. Believe in a return to ‘Free Fees’ and have promised to “ﬁght tooth and nail” against tuition fees.

Cut grant amount and increased distance for adjacent rate from 24km to 48km.

No further cuts to the grant.

Increase grant to meet real cost of living.

Follow four-year plan involving cuts to public sector and bank bailouts. Creation of jobs and higher eduation places. Stand over cut in minimum wage.

Renegociate EU/IMF deal. €7 billion investment in broadband, energy etc. to create jobs. Use money from NPRF and sale of state assets. Large cuts to public sector – for “smaller, better government”

Renegociate EU/IMF deal. €500 million jobs fund from NPRF. Improve credit ﬂow. Extend deadline of cutting GDP to 3% to 2016. Increase tax on incomes over €100k

Policy of money to follow the patient. Eliminate waiting lists and two tier system. Introduce universal health insurance scheme.

Introduce universal health insurance over 6 years. Access to GPs covered by primary care insurance for all by 2014.

Reduce HSE numbers, increase work day. Reduce cost across the board. No further co-location.

Oppose increase in registration fee. Believe in third level education as a right, not a privilege. Stand for free education.

Increase grant to meet real cost of living.

Close deﬁcit over 6 years, not 4. Winddown of NAMA. €7 billion job-creation, infrastructure programme, using funds from NPRF. 1% wealth tax on assets > €1m. 48% tax rate on incomes over €100k. Reverse cuts.

End the bank bailout, scrap NAMA, reduce mortgage repayments. Introduce wealth tax, progressive income tax and increase coporation tax. Reverse cuts. Create jobs.

Universal public health system that provides care to all free at the point of delivery, funded by progressive taxation.

No to private healthcare, privatisation and co-located hospitals. Build a universal public health system based on people, not proﬁt.

A cast of tainted leaders sees “Honest Enda” on his way to the top job in Kildare Street.

Follow the Leader?

Marc Mc Menamin looks at the backgrounds of some prospective Taoisigh

With the upcoming election and debacle of the

Where can we look for leadership of the country? By Christopher Cosgrove last week or so in the government it is the general feeling of the public that there appears to be no better alternative to turn to in hopes of sorting out the country. The current government has

The 2011 General Election looks set to be a watershed period in the political history of Ireland. It is a certainty that the next Taoiseach will be handed the mammoth task of rebuilding Ireland politically, ﬁscally and socially. Are the current crop of leaders up to the task? Do the leaders of the four main parties have the ability to be etched into the annals of Irish political history alongside Lemass, W.T. Cosgrave and Jack Lynch?

The Fianna Fáil parties’ pres-

Eamon Gilmore has proven to

done nothing more than make the situation

ent fortunes are indeed quite

Irish politics great political

worse and with all the various resignations and

dismal. Ógra chairman Darren

chameleon. Having originated

cowardly retreats the only image that comes to

Collins envisaged the party

from Ofﬁcial Sinn Féin and the

mind is that the government appears to be a

being satisﬁed with retaining

Workers party he then became

sinking ship to which the various politicians are

30 T.D.s after the polls close. A

a member of Democratic Left,

jumping overboard to try and avoid drowning with

cull certainly; but ultimately

when D.L. were merged with

the rest of the crew. What has happened to the

one of their own doing. The

Labour Gilmore quickly rose

idea of an authority that can govern us effec-

Micheál Martin factor seems to

through the ranks to eventually

tively? Instead of a government that unites in the

be doing little in the way of sav-

succeed Pat Rabitte as party

harder times we have a government that like to

ing the parties fortunes despite

leader. Gilmore is indeed a very

point the ﬁnger, shift blame and then just get out

the fact that he is the most

eloquent speaker however he

as soon as possible avoiding headache to their

skilled debater and most expe-

lacks concrete policy, prefer-

own lives. Our credibility has been shot and we

rienced politician in the contest

ring instead to exercise politi-

have become nothing more than a joke to other

by a large margin. It seems as

cal rhetoric and use of the

countries that look to our government and see

though his culpability in thir-

sound byte in an effort to max-

nothing more than a collection of incompetent

teen years of Fianna Fáil gov-

imise his party’s vote. In any

yes men. If we look at Egypt we can see the effect

ernment is going to be a

event Gilmores gang will have

a corrupt and incompetent government can have

millstone around his neck.

to change position in terms of

on the people and I think that our own politicians

Enda Kenny has been the Harry

policy if they hope to enter

should have a good look at the situation over

Houdini of the Irish political

coalition with one of the bigger

there and compare it to what is going on here be-

landscape for the last six

parties.

cause with the times that are in it, it would not

months. Despite being con-

Gerry Adams is by far the

take much more to turn the public physically

stantly personally slated in

longest serving leader of any

against the government. The sad truth is that

opinion polls he has taken the

political party in the election.

even with all this there does not appear to be a

party from their dismal elec-

This in itself is remarkable and

sign of any worthy leader to guide us out of these

toral defeat of 2002 to becom-

no less than astounding consid-

darkened times. In the past Ireland has suffered

ing the most popular party in

ering Sinn Féin is regarded as a

at the hands of other governments and it was

Ireland by a large margin. He

difﬁcult organisation of which

generally thanks to the leadership of a certain in-

has also built up the most suc-

to be leader. Adams has suc-

dividual to rise above the others and save Ireland

cessful organisation through-

ceeded in moving the party

from harsh times. However, we seem to be lack-

out the country of any political

along without too many splits

ing this key ﬁgure in the politics of our country

party. Despite having a poor

for most of his tenure. An

today. What Ireland need know is change and a

grasp of economic issues and a

achievement by any standards.

completely radical approach to government and

lack of media savvy people can

Adams is guaranteed a seat in

leadership of the country if we are ever to hope to

be reassured by the fact that

the next Dail but he may have

get past the dark cloud of the recession. So the

Enda has put forward the

to wait for a few counts before

question is where can we ﬁnd this particular indi-

strongest front bench in the

he is held shoulder high. How-

vidual and I think the answer lies in the younger

election and will probably be an

ever, criticism of his economic

generation – it is time to retire these old methods

excellent chairman style

prowess and the spectre of

and last generation ways of governing the coun-

leader. Gregory Lawless of

Jean Mc Conville look set to

try and the possible future of success for this

NUIG YFG argues that above all

make Adams fortunes and that

country and reestablishment of a competent and

else Enda is a good person.

of his party’s’ all the more un-

proper government lies with the young so I put

Having met him myself I’d have

certain.

this to all those out there who are brave enough

to agree. Anything is better

to step up to the plate: what would you do to

than thirteen years of the

change the country?

‘Teﬂon’ Taoiseach.

Party approaches to third level funding shows clear left-right divide By Richard Manton

To Vote or Not to Vote?

The issue of left and right politics in Ireland will

they incurred. Rory Bowens of

The date has been set and by

generations who had an inter-

always be a controversial one. A legacy of the na-

NUIG YFG explained this sys-

now and at this stage you are

est in politics would vote based

tional question and the civil war, the lack of a

tem to Sin and pointed out:

either registered or you’re not,

on a party’s policies while older

clearly deﬁned right-wing party and a clearly de-

“This is not a perfect system,

the future of our country “lies

generations would vote by duty

ﬁned left-wing party separates Ireland from

but it is the fairest way”.

in our hands”, still there is

i.e. what party did their parents

countries such as the UK, France and Germany.

By Grainne Coyne

lacking enthusiasm for many to

support in the civil war. The

As with many economic policies, the parties have

Labour and Sinn Féin, on the

go out and vote to be honest

current economic climate does

roughly divided themselves into the opposing

other hand, disagree with the

you can’t really blame

seem to spur on more people

camps on the funding of third level education.

graduate tax and deferred

them. There are over 3.1 mil-

to vote then before, such as

loans approaches. These par-

lion in 43 constituencies enti-

some my friends who weren’t

ties believe in the traditional

tled to vote and a large number

registered to vote and have no

the crisis in third level funding – something like a

of those are students. Yet out

interest in politics decided that

€500 million shortfall. This all the parties agree

of those who are entitled who

they would vote in this election,

have actually registered and go

even though if there not exactly

out to vote? The voter turnout

sure who to vote for. There are

for previous elections in Ireland

still a lot who won’t vote and

has been very low with 2002

haven’t registered, one of my

general election being one of

friends missed the deadline to

the smallest turnouts in recent

The pretext of the fees debate, as we all know, is

is not sustainable, however that’s where the agreement ends. Put simply, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael – the tradition Irish parties of the right – wish to see a return of some form of fees or student contribution. Meanwhile, Labour and Sinn Féin, (while the jury may still be out on some of

“A fair increase in taxation of the rich and high-earners will remedy the funding crisis...”

these parties’ other left-wing credentials) take

years. However 2007 seemed

larly keen on voting anyway,

the view that third level should be free and

left-wing approach of univer-

more promising with voter

when I asked her what the rea-

funded by taxation.

sality of public services, funded

turnout increasing from

son was for this she said “They

by progressive taxation. Cur-

1,878,609 in 2002 to 2,084,035

all seem the same to me (polit-

One cannot really deal with policy without at least

rently, graduates pay higher

in 2007, despite this there were

ical parties), I wouldn’t know

glancing ﬁrst at reality. Fianna Fáil’s policies

taxes than non-graduates as a

still signiﬁcantly low numbers

who to vote for. There all a

could say anything, but they cannot be allowed to

result of the fact that they tend

from the student vote. The pos-

bunch of crooks.” The age gap

escape the reality of what they have overseen for

to earn higher salaries. A fair

sible reasons could be logistics

could be a strong reason why

ﬁfteen years. In this context, that means the

increase in taxation of the rich

such as the past general elec-

students aren’t keen to vote

massive increases in the registration fee and the

and high-earners will remedy

tions taking place on a Thurs-

that they feel they don’t relate

development of a crisis in funding. Speaking to

the funding crisis without dis-

day. This made it difﬁcult for

to the current candidates, even

Sin, Fianna Fáil representative Darren Collins

incentivising going to college,

majority of students to vote in

though the majority of the po-

said: “This is a genuine criticism of Fianna Fáil.

incentivising emigration or

their home constituencies.

litical parties are keen to ap-

There was a failure to address this situation.” At

burdening graduates with debt.

There were also further difﬁ-

peal to the younger votes by

the time of going to print, FF hadn’t published

culties faced by students in the

revamping their campaigns,

their education policy, however, the party be-

One can look at the left-right

past elections due to the voting

with younger candidates, clips

lieves in the introduction of some form of student

divide in the perspective of the

hours changing from 15 hours

on YouTube and live political

contribution, most likely a system of deferred

role of society v. the role of the

to 10-12 hours which a lot of

debates. They claim this is a

loans.

individual. Most people agree

students would not make it

chance to change Irish politics

that third level education bene-

back in time to vote. The Union

for the better yet there is still

In the same vain in every respect (except maybe

ﬁts both the individual (im-

Students of Ireland (USI) have

our generation who understand

the Civil War), Fine Gael stands for the introduc-

proved education, earning

told political parties that the

the necessity of voting but don’t

tion of a graduate tax in order to fund higher edu-

potential) and society (more

general election should take

know who to vote or if there is

cation. This system would see the abolition of the

education workforce, re-

place on a Friday as a large

any point to it all. It remains to

registration fee and the introduction of a tax rate

search). However, the parties

part of population would be ex-

be seen if the general election

– probably around 1% of income for 10 years – for

don’t agree on who should fund

cluded if it took place on a

taking place on a Friday and

graduates to repay the cost of their third level ed-

third level – should the onus be

weekday, fortunately voting is

the Recession that is spiralling

ucation. The system contains a few peculiar

on the individual (deferred

taking place on a Friday, Febru-

out of control well help encour-

points such as the fact that graduates who emi-

loan, graduate tax) or on soci-

ary 25th. In the previous gen-

age students to vote and to gain

grate do not have to pay (only have to pay on re-

ety as a whole (progressive tax-

eral elections different voting

a sudden faith in Irish politics.

turn to the country) and the fact that students

ation). Consider this when

patterns between older and

who drop out will still have to pay for the cost

you’re voting on February 25th.

younger generations, younger

The Life of Brian

By Grainne Coyne Some might say it’s the end of an era and

proposals of education fees. It soon became

insisting towards the media and to his own

others say it couldn’t come quick enough, but

obvious from the emergency Budget in April

party that there was nothing to worry about

the Dail has ﬁnally been dissolved and Brian

2009 that the Recession or then known as the

and that “there was no bailout.” He was left

Cowen is no longer Taoiseach. BIFFO which

“R-word”, was not going to be short term with

eating his words announcing on the 21st

Brian likes to believe stands for “Beautiful

further tax hikes and the birth of NAMA

November 2010, when he announced that he

Intelligent Fellow From Offaly” even though the

(National Asset Management Agency), the

had requested ﬁnancial support, which was

real terminology portrays him in less ﬂattering

dreaded Recession soon became a common

seen as a humiliation, loss of ﬁnancial

terms, in a way sums up Cowen’s leadership of

ﬁxture in Ireland . Brian Cowen’s popularity

sovereignty and really the beginning of the end

Ireland for the last two and half years. From

began decrease dramatically with Fianna Fail

for Brian Cowen. January sparked further calls

being Minister of Finance in Ireland’s boom

losing half of its seats in the European

for his resignation of Taoiseach and calls for

days to the International face for Ireland’s

Elections and calls of the ﬁrst no conﬁdence

general election after it was revealed Brian had

ﬁnancial woes, Cowen was indeed a part of the

vote by Fine Gael, which Brian survived by a

met with Sean Fitzpatrick the original

rise and fall of Ireland’s economic climate.

thin margin of 85-79. The third Budget was

chairman of Anglo Irish Bank back in 2008.

Brian Cowen was nominated leader of Fianna

called within fourteen months since Brian had

Brian was facing pressure from within his own

Fail in 2008 after Bertie Ahern’s resignation of

came into leadership, Budget 2010 forced Brian

party they insisted that he step down as leader

Taoiseach (that’s another era which has long

and his government to realise that Ireland’s

of Fianna Fail, but Brian would not move.

been forgotten), then in May 2008 was elected

deﬁcit may never be made repayable. Despite

However, in the following days more ministers

by the Dail to be the 23rd Taoiseach of Ireland.

Brian’s defence of NAMA, in reality NAMA was

were leaving the already sinking ship causing

However since then, things have really gone

causing more problems than it was solving. Yet,

Brian to reshufﬂe his cabinet even giving some

from bad to worse, beginning with the

Brian still kept on standing, surviving a second

ministers two departments to run. Brian ﬁnally

unsuccessful campaign of The Lisbon Treaty in

no conﬁdence vote but closer than last

resigned as Fianna Fail leader but was still

2008 which he later admitted he had not read

time. Who could forget Brian Cowen’s famous

running the country. Brian faced further

The Lisbon Treaty document in its entirety but

interview where he didn’t give his “best

pressure which resulted in the ending of the

was later passed in 2009 campaign. This was

performance” and was commented by many

coalition with the Green Party and opposing

nothing compared to Recession which of

that he had a hangover from previous night of

parties. It was the end of line for Brian with the

course ended the Celtic Tiger and the reality of

conferences in Galway, this did little to help his

possibility of two no conﬁdence votes, he ﬁnally

the ﬁnancial crisis began to hit Irish citizens.

already falling popularity, and he was depicted

resigned as Taoiseach and announced his

The 2009 Budget in particular the withdrawal

as a drunk by international media. It became

ofﬁcial retirement from politics. Brian is gone

of medical cards and reinstatement of

evident though Brian was not telling the truth

and the canvassing has already begun, one is

university fees caused outrage. However these

with the arrival of the IMF (International

left wondering who will be next in line to start

were soon removed after protests from

Monetary Fund) towards the end of November

a “new era”, well from here on things can’t

pensioners and students but that wasn’t the

2010, Brian and Ireland’s ﬁnancial woes

get any worse, then again that has been

last of many proposals of cuts and return

became International news but Brian kept

said before.

Political Reform

Seanad:

A Mixed Bag? Time For Change By Steven Conroy Marc Mc Menamin looks at the respective parties approaches to political reform

it deems as unconstitutional if the The role of Seanad Éireann in the

Dáil has already passed that legisla-

Irish democratic system has been a

tion. At this point, we should ask the

Political Reform is now the

discontinue as T.Ds. when ap-

hot topic of discussion in the world of

question So what can the Seanad ac-

order of the day in Irish Politics.

pointed, a sub will then be

politics over the last few months. In

tually do? Basically, all it can do is

After the cataclysmic failure of

drafted in to do constituency

my opinion, the Seanad only serves

slow legislation down by debating it.

the Oireachtas over the last thir-

work.

as an additional layer of bureaucracy,

Also, the “upper house” can suggest

teen years it has become mas-

Labour envisages a constitution

and therefore, a pointless one. So,

amendments, which the Dáil can ei-

sively obvious that the need for

day where the 1937 constitution

why not just get rid of the Seanad

ther accept or ignore. Overall, it

reform is more urgent now than

will be redrafted. The party is

completely?

seems to be an ineffective house of

ever before. To quote former

also committed to a 50 per cent

Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald ‘It’s

increase in Dail sitting days, a

Firstly, lets get an idea of the make-

obvious there is a problem when

longer working week, longer

up of the Seanad. It is made up of a

In fairness, you just have to sit back

even the worst politicians ac-

working days, and less Dail holi-

total of 60 Senators and is often re-

and laugh at the irony of the whole

knowledge the need for reform.’

days. The party supports the

ferred to as the 'Upper House'. As

thing. In these times of economic re-

Each party has set out its stall in

abolition of the Seanad and is

well as this, 11 of the 60 Senators

cession, we are all being told by our

terms of reform in their respec-

committed to introducing

being directly ap-

politicians that we have

tive election manifestos. This

whistleblowers legislation. In

pointed by the

to tighten our belts.

poses the question, which of

the recent TV3 leaders debate

Taoiseach, Another

While a lot of our money

these policies if any will be suc-

these measures were criticized

three Senators are

is, in fact, going towards

cessful?

by Micháel Martin as only mar-

appointed by the

paying for these sena-

The most comprehensive party

ginal reform and political rheto-

graduates of National

tors wages. The system,

in terms of reform have been

ric.

University of Ireland

in this light has to be re-

Fine Gael. They were the ﬁrst

Sinn Féin proposes a similar

(UCG, UCD, UCC,

formed and the Seanad

party to put forward the idea of a

constitution day to Labour. The

Maynooth and some

has to be abolished.

unicameralist parliament, in

main difference however, is the

other afﬁliated col-

Some T.D’s have de-

other words bin the Seanad.

parties wish for the new consti-

leges), and a further

scribed the Seanad as a

NUIG YFG estimates this will

tution to be drafted for a United

three by Trinity Col-

complete misuse of tax-

save the exchequer €20m. YFG

Ireland; controversial given

lege Dublin gradu-

payers’ money, and even

also support their senior party’s

their commitments to the St An-

ates. The rest of the

went as far as saying, it

objectives to cut the amount of

drews and Good Friday agree-

43 Senators are ap-

T.D.s by 20. When asked about

ments. The party proposes that

pointed by T.D’s, Senators, and by

democracy. One may speculate and

Micheál Martins commitment to

it will introduce legislation to

local councillors. It’s difﬁcult to see

say that it is merely a retirement

the abolition of the upper house

cut ministers salaries by 40%.

how this system of electing Senators

home for politicians. When you look

YFG stated ‘FF will do anything

This they hope will put an end to

is democratically fair and just. Be-

at the big picture, the Seanad adds

to retain popularity and to watch

the ‘culture of perks’ prevalent

cause, so many Senators are directly

very little to our political system.

out for more bandwagoning’.

in the body politic.

appointed by the person in charge of

So...What of the outgoing gov-

One thing is for certain. All par-

the government.

ernment’s commitments to re-

ties agree that there is a funda-

form. With new leader Micháel

mental need for change in the

The whole idea behind the Seanad is

tem. Thus, making the democratic

Martin in the driving seat the

political system. Ireland is

completely undemocratic. Why

process in Ireland, which is already

door seems to be wide open for

unique as we have as a country

should a politician who failed to get

complex, just that little bit harder for

new policy, despite the fact that

seen little or no political reform

elected to the Dáil have a say in how

the average Irish person. That is cer-

more than half the front bench

since the drafting of our Consti-

things are run? To tell the truth, it

tainly not the most effective way to

are stalwarts of the old regime!

tution in 1937. Most of the par-

seems like a unnecessary waste of

involve the general public in our na-

Willie O’Dea anyone??? Martin

ties share the same view but

money. There’s nothing crazy about

tional politics. It would make a lot

has given commitment to sup-

ultimately their approaches to

considering the abolition the Seanad.

more sense to direct all of our atten-

porting the abolition of the

reaching the end result differ

In fact, some countries the size of

tion at a single house of Parliament

Seanad. However Ógra Chair-

signiﬁcantly. What you want to

Ireland don’t have any type of upper

in order to try and create a relation-

man Darren Collins disagrees

believe is plausible is entirely

house. For example, New Zealand

ship between the legislators and the

with this: ‘The Seanad has a part

your own personal choice.

abolished their upper house of gov-

public. In this way, we, the “People”,

to play’. Interestingly this is a

Political reform in 2011 – A

ernment in 1951.

can become part of the legislation-

view shared by former Senator

mixed bag? Probably. Deﬁnitely

and Fine Gael Taoiseach Garret

food for thought before you

To make things worse, the Seanad

make the legislators more answer-

FitzGerald. Fianna Fáil also pro-

enter the polling booth on Feb-

cannot initiate legislation. It cannot

able to us. As a result, the country

poses that cabinet ministers will

ruary 25th.

stop legislation going through which

would be better off.

government.

is an open insult to

In many ways, all the Seanad really functions to do is to confuse the sys-

making process. This would ,in turn,

Pussycat Dáils and Cute Hoors By Emmet Connolly This recession has shown us one thing very clearly: this country’s political system is broken and is in desperate need of a radical overhaul. The very idea of whether we can continue as an independent and sovereign Irish state is now very much in the balance, with the European Commission and the IMF calling the shots in government buildings. We can no consider reforming the Oireacthas as if it is a lofty matter for discussion in a Soc&Pol lecture or the Irish Times, and it is encouraging to see that all

colleagues taking their seat. This

cure for those who get elected

tors. But unless they make in

the political parties have ﬁnally

leads to auction-style politics where

would likely lead to them being able

through the ranks of an existing

begun to put forward serious poli-

the candidate who promises to keep

to focus more on their actual job in

party they mostly don’t stand a

cies of how to go about reforming

the local hospital open at all costs,

Leinster House.

chance. Mary Robinson is a good

the system. For sake of a strict

who can ﬁx the most potholes, and

word count, I will focus on propos-

who can sort out most individual

2. Allow the Taoiseach to ap-

She couldn’t win a Dáil seat to save

als to reform the Dáil.

constituents’ issues usually gets

point people from outside politics

her life - because she wouldn’t get

the most votes. Focusing on na-

as Ministers.

involved in the cute hoor tactics of

The Problem:

tional – or international – issues is

Let the Taoiseach appoint national

winning and keeping seats – but

Too many of our TDs are what the

very much second place to the ﬁx-

and international experts in health-

she breathed new life into the Pres-

newspapers call the ﬁxer, or the

ing of local issues.

care, education, transport and so on

idency and went on to become a

to take on those portfolios, like

leading global stateswoman with the UN.

‘cute hoor’. Not to be confused a

example of someone who made it.

charming prostitute; these cute

The underlying problem here is that

what happens in the US where the

hoors are the TDs who allowed the

the system of local government is

President appoints whoever he

economy to over-heat on a con-

too weak, so that people automati-

wants to the top jobs. Allow the

Let’s say we elected the new Dáil

struction and property binge.

cally go to the TD rather than the

best people with the best ideas and

consisted of 100 TDs elected

These are the people who you’ll see

councillor about the small, non-na-

experience to lead the government

through 100 single-seat constituen-

at every GAA match in the county,

tional issues, but that’s for another

departments and deliver the serv-

cies, and 50 elected through a list

but who don’t particularly care to

day. The truth is that of the 166 TDs

ices the Irish people need. Impor-

system in which everyone in the

see the young players – people like

in Dáil Éireann, easily half of them

tantly, these new ministers still

country has the same ballot paper

you – emigrate like generations be-

are gloriﬁed county councillors who

need to be accepted by and ac-

in front of them and votes for a

fore. Most cute hoor TDs see the

couldn’t think up a national policy

countable to the reformed Dáil.

party’s list of candidates rather

best way of keeping their seat as

or draft legislation to save their

being the local ﬁxer who’ll sort you

lives. It’s no wonder our politicians

3. Elect some TDs from con-

system even fairer for independent

out with the dodgy planning per-

allowed us to sleepwalk into the

stituencies and some from a list

voices from outside the political

mission and the medical card, while

biggest ﬁnancial and banking crisis

system.

parties, we could have people

spending their time trying to get

in the western world when they’re

Our system of voting in this country

added as candidates to the list as

land rezoned to make money for

too busy trying to keep their seats

is by international standards,

independents by colleting 40,000

their mates. And they can be found

and sort out the local issues!

bizarre. Only the island state of

signatures (similar to the citizens’

Malta uses the same system as us.

initiative in the EU). This would

We have a system that encourages

allow people from outside the exist-

Labour and the rest.

Some potential solutions 1. Single-seat constituencies.

and rewards chancers, the children

ing establishment to enter the Dáil

of outgoing TDs, and small-minded

and begin real change in the politi-

How do these people get elected?

Currently we elect 166 TDs from 43

locally-concerned candidates

cal system.

Well, most of our constituencies are

multi-seat constituencies. Replac-

whose political vision often doesn’t

multi-seaters- like the ﬁve-seat

ing these with single-seat con-

go beyond the next parish.

Galway West. This means that can-

stituencies like those in Britain and

didates and those who get elected

the US will give candidates a fair

There are plenty of ﬁne people who

are hyper-competitive about keep-

shot at winning seats and eliminate

are working in non-government or-

ing their seats, even politicians

the competition between people

ganisations, in universities like our

within the same party and are con-

from the same party in trying to get

own, in charities, and in the media

stantly paranoid about their party

votes. Making the seats more se-

who would make excellent legisla-

in all the parties and constituencies – from Fianna Fáil to Fine Gael to

than the individual. To make the list

The above proposals will not solve our problems overnight, but just shy of a century since the Easter Rising, we will be moving closer towards a real Republic, with a functioning Parliament.

Egyptian crisis:

NoT So FAR FRoM HoME By Conor Lane Mass protest has erupted in the Middle East,

There is great unrest as the Tunisians feel

the military. So far, the most deaths have come

a place known for its vast resources and an-

their needs are still not being met. Dictators

from ﬁghting between pro and anti-Mubarak

cient histories. On the other end of the scale,

from the surrounding countries who were

citizens with only shots being ﬁred in warning

tyranny and oppression have carried on

probably watching from their mansions, com-

from Egyptian soldiers. It’s reassuring to wake

unchecked for most of these archaic lands

forted by their golden robes, sitting on their di-

up in the morning and not have to hear how

where the very beginnings of Christianity, Ju-

amond-encrusted sofas, drinking from their

many people have been mowed down in their

daism and Islam were formulated.

ivory-moulded glasses (you get the idea) began

thousands from the onslaught of relentless ﬁre, although I do say this with trepidation.

Egypt encompasses both the best and worst

What can we expect to see in Egypt over the

of the primordial world. The Egyptians built

coming months? The democratic republic of

the pyramids, momentous achievements

Egypt isn’t likely to feature anytime soon. This

showcasing the inﬁnite potential of man; it

is a country that has seen two regimes rule

took between 20,000 and 30,000 workers 80

over it for the past two centuries: a monarchy

years to build them. History can help us un-

in 1805 and the Free Ofﬁcers Movement since

derstand the situation happening in Egypt

1952. The Egyptians spent hundreds of years

right now. Who can say there is any great dif-

being ruled by pharaohs and kings who be-

ference between the Pharaohs’ feeling that

lieved themselves to be gods in human form.

regular-sized cofﬁns simply weren’t big

That is why what’s happening now is critical.

enough for them to spend eternity in and the

What we don’t want to see is Mubarak leave

Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak seizing

and be replaced by a military autocracy or an

power for over 30 years, corrupting every

anti-Mubarak group with strong fundamental-

crevice of Egyptian politics in the process and

ist ideas which will only lead to more social in-

then passing on his job to his son, Gamal

equality. The people have spoken and the only

Mubarak, a banker, without any consideration

reassuring solution will be for them to choose

for whether he is even ﬁt to rule? Mubarak is

their own leader in a free election.

only short of having his image on their naIt’s difﬁcult to comprehend the economic in-

tional ﬂag.

vestment that Egypt will miss out on as tourists leave in their droves, even those hun-

Tribute must be paid to Mohamad Bouazizi, who died on January 4th after setting him-

to think that maybe they weren’t doing enough

dreds of miles from the protests who are va-

self alight in Tunisia in late 2010 when he

to protect the basic rights of their people. Any

cating for fear of entrapment. At least €1

was humiliated by a police woman. He

dictator will tell you that he is the best and only

billion will be absent from the exchequer. Many

claimed in advance that unless an ofﬁcial was

person for the job, this is how fascism is con-

would say that is a small price to pay for liber-

going to meet him to discuss his feelings of

ceived; one man ascends to power and in the

ation and freedom. Others will say that a self

embarrassment then he would end his life

process is convinced that the people he pre-

glorifying oaf will have to indulge in a few less

through the means of ﬁre. No one responded

sides over should give him irrevocable submis-

trivial pursuits. History has a way of repeating

to his despair and so another man lost his life

sion regardless of how inept he may be.

itself. What happens in Egypt will be the result of the military’s ﬁnal decision on where it

unnecessarily in a land where it has been the norm. This was a last resort from a young

What is unusual about the possible outcome of

stands. If the Egyptian people are to succeed,

college graduate who was forced to provide

this situation from a Westerner’s viewpoint is

they need to get the generals on their side

for himself and his family by working as a

that Mubarak is no longer the man who must

sooner rather than later because those who

street vendor. No message, how great or

be feared as he once was. Yes, he is still the

command the Egyptian army have a great deal

small, warrants suicide; life is worth so much

imperious ﬁgure he always was and may be in

to lose. Should this not happen then we could

more than that but the outrage that ensued

charge but his authority was dealt a heavy blow

see another dictatorship. I’ll end on the

after his death made the world take note of

when the Egyptian military decided to stay out

phrase, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute

what was about to happen.

of the fray and act more as arbiters. Many

power corrupts absolutely” by Lord Acton,

politicians breathed a sigh of relief, relief that

which seems a highly appropriate note to ﬁnish

Tunisian president Ben Ali, leader of 23

the death-toll would be signiﬁcantly lower

on. Fianna Fáil, have you been watching?

years, stepped down. Success? Not entirely.

thanks to the somewhat composed actions of

page 11

Law Ball,

By Fiona Ní Mháille

The law ball kicked off in the Meyrick on February 2nd with a combination of glitz, glamour and elegance. The ball, organised by dedicated Law Soc committee members, such as Karen Traynor and Darren Brennan, was a huge success. The evening boasted a cocktail bar downstairs, a live band upstairs and 2FM’s DJ Ruth Scott! Ruth’s interaction with the crowd was witty and appropriate for the many students whipping their hair back and forth on the dance-floor. If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on a law ball ticket next year, go! Nights like these are the definition of living the dream!

Engineering & Nurses Ball,

By Fiona Ní Mháille

The Engineering and Nurses ball kicked off with a combination of glitz and glamour. Enthusiastic students put the session back into the recession, ensuring it was a night to remember with friends they’ll never forget. The Radisson opened the doors of its grandest ballroom to students eager for a night of fun, frolicking and debauchery.

page 12

The Oscars Towards the end of this month, long awaited ballot

offerings comes in the form of The Kids Are All Right, a

Anglophiles, though a surprise win from True Grit,

results will be revealed in one of the year’s most

heartfelt familial chronicle that refuses to submit to

perhaps even The Social Network, is not impossible.

anticipated events. No, I refer not to the election of the

generic means of storytelling, and which may well (and

The directorial Oscar seems destined for David

31st Dáil, but rather to the 83rd Academy Awards. This

indeed should) see Annette Bening take what is widely

Fincher’s hands, though the general correlation

year’s range of Best Picture nominees incorporates

touted to be Natalie Portman’s Best Actress award. As

between the Directors’ Guild and the Academy

various elements of American cinema: Inception and

the highlight of one of cinema’s most beloved trilogies,

suggests Tom Hooper may just beat him to it. Deprived

Toy Story 3 represent the blockbuster; The Kids Are All

Toy Story 3—the year’s biggest box office success—is

of a nomination for his direction, Christopher Nolan

Right and Winter’s Bone the independent film; and the

will be likely to earn himself the Best Original

rest, unsurprisingly and inevitably, classic “Oscar bait”

Screenplay prize (and Inception the majority of the

films—released just in time to attract Academy

technical awards). Newcomer Hailee Steinfeld, despite

attention. Going through the list, one can check off the

actually being True Grit’s lead actress, has a very

many factors which have traditionally tickled the

respectable chance of taking home the Best Supporting

voters’ fancy, from working class pugilism to

Actress statuette. Her cinematographer colleague Roger

fragmented mentality to flagitious biopic to a peek

Deakins, this his ninth nomination (he has not yet

inside the secret life of the British monarchy.

won), is the frontrunner in his category.

Fortunately for us, 2010’s supply of tailor-made awards

Yet the Academy Awards, in all their concomitant glitz

nominees is populated with films which, despite their

and glamour, are not quite for everyone, so for the

satiation of the traditional tastes of Oscar voters, avoid

cynics amongst you who snicker, sneer, snort, and

lugubrious and opprobrious histrionics. Black Swan, for

guffaw at the very thought of investing any credence in

instance, is a visually appealing piece, though its

such an emetic commercialist orgy as the Oscars: make

intelligent and interesting art direction is heavily

your way to the Foreign Language nominees and seek

marred by its glaring blatancy. The Social Network,

out Greece’s Kynodontas (aka Dogtooth). A surprise

through a script as-good-as-guaranteed to win Aaron

nomination—the film is outlandishly bizarre even for

Sorkin an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay,

this traditionally more diverse and, let’s face it,

impressively manages to make a compelling character

interesting category—it’s one of last year’s most

drama with rancourous, unlikeable characters. The

provocative, disturbing, original and challenging films.

King’s Speech, though formulaic and unsurprising in its

also the deserving winner, though the likelihood of

Its chances of victory are slim, admittedly, but with

narrative structure, is driven by a pair of formidable

agreement between what should be and what will be is,

awards like the Oscars, you really never can tell…

performances, Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush highly

at best, infinitesimal. The King’s Speech is the clear

likely to take Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor

favourite to take the top prize, its regal protagonist

respectively. Unquestionably one of the strongest

propitious to the attentions of the Academy’s

By Ronan Doyle

Book Review:

Room by Emma Donoghue Room is the story of Jack and his Ma, who are locked

Narrated by Jack, Room is intense and compelling but

up in a room in Old Nick’s garden. Jack’s mother has

funny. Jack’s observations on everyday life are

been there for seven years, ever since Old Nick

innocently witty and endearing (when asked for a high

kidnapped her on the street. Jack once believed that

five, he thinks ‘I’m not going to give him my fingers, I

nothing existed Outside and that the world consisted

need them for me’). The plot is simple but powerful as

of him, his ma and the contents of Room (including

Jack learns how to sleep on his own, how the

Wardrobe, Plant, Lamp, Bed, Rug). But now Jack is five

playground works and to survive without ‘having

and things are changing. His Ma tells him that some of

some’; he learns not to steal from shops, discovers

the things he sees on TV are actually real, and that

what the sea looks like and learns that ‘humans and

there are other children in the world, that there are

bees should just wave, no touching’. Donoghue brings

other places out there besides Room, and that Old

in wider social issues such as the media and the havoc

Nick is keeping them against their will. Jack doesn’t

they can cause, and skilfully describes modern society

see it that way; Room is his home, it’s all he knows.

through Jack’s experiences. Jack tells us, ‘I’ve been in

But when his Ma decides that now is the time for

the world three weeks and a half, and I still never

their escape, Jack has to be scave (scared-brave)

know what’s going to hurt’.

because he is their only chance for escape.

By Kate Smyth

page 13

127 Hours Hacking away at a rock with a rusty blade for

the film an interesting prospect, but there’s not

deterioration over the course of the five

hours on end; self mutilation; drinking one’s own

enough in the way of characters or sufficient

days is fascinating. Director Danny Boyle

piss; it doesn’t sound much like a fun day out at

plot to keep it exciting.

(known for Slumdog Millionaire and

the pictures, does it? Minus the flashy visuals of

Trainspotting) also does well with limited

the lead character’s daydreams and

Through flashbacks and hallucinations we learn

options. He infuses the film with piercingly

hallucinations, the above is sort of a summation

of Ralston’s life before he got trapped.

contrasted colour and throws in some lively

of the entire film. A true story, 127 Hours

Apparently it was a bit boring. He has an ex-

and funny hallucination montages to give

follows Aron Ralston, a hiker. He heads into the

girlfriend and a damaged relationship with his

the film a kick. In other words, the best was

desert one day like any other, gets his arm

parents. There’s potential here for something

made of a bad situation, given the

trapped under a boulder, and squirms miserably

interesting, but the details of these relationships

emptiness of the script, and this is still a

for the next 5 days before hacking his own arm

aren’t ever revealed. Thankfully, James Franco is

movie worth seeing.

off. The fact that this actually happened makes

superb as the lead, and following his mental

By Evin Keane

Blue Valentine Directed by Derek Cianfrance, a relative

tightly together when they may not have been

Some of the camerawork was a bit too

newcomer to mainstream films, Blue Valentine is

compatible from the outset. The ensuing

home video in parts and certain scenes

currently the critics' darling. It was made by

relationship meltdown does not make for a

appeared unnecessary. The scene where

independent American film studio, The

pretty picture but it is very real. Anyone who has

Dean gets beaten up by Cindy's ex-

Weinstein Company, which also brought us The

ever suffered a difficult breakup may find

boyfriend Bobby (Mike Vogel) seemed a bit

King's Speech - what a smug bunch they must be

certain scenes resonating strongly with them.

random - we already knew that Dean was

right now.

willing to go the distance with Cindy so it The absolute highlight of the film is the acting.

felt gratuitous. It was almost as though the

Blue Valentine tracks the relationship of married

The performances of the two main actors are

filmmakers just wanted to add an extra

couple Cindy (Michelle Williams) and Dean

fantastic. They are both incredibly talented.

layer of grit. Also, the part where Dean

(Ryan Gosling) from their first meeting to their

While Williams got a well deserved nod from

follows Cindy into the hospital near the

bitter end. The snapshots of their early life are

the Academy, it's a crime that Gosling did not.

end was overdone. It strayed from feeling

contrasted beside scenes of their current frayed

His performance was stunning.

like we were witnessing a couple's secret

state. In many parts the viewer feels as though

life into a dodgy TV movie.

they are spying on their life and the sense of

The film was really well received by Cannes,

intimacy that is created is often powerful.

Sundance and Toronto film festivals. However

Despite these flaws, the acting does merit a look

aside from the strength of the acting, I wasn't

at this one. However, if you are thinking about

As the movie progresses we see that the couple's

really sure it was entirely deserved. It aimed for

seeing it on a first, third or even tenth date,

early relationship was not all sex and laughter.

genuine indie camera work and guitar music but

maybe reconsider; the urge to break up with

We are drip-fed information that highlights the

this came across as a bit clichéd and grating on

your partner on the spot may be overwhelming!

number of hardships the pair endured from the

the nerves after a while.

By Lisa Jackson

very start. These events serve to draw them

The Green Hornet These days, superhero movies come in two

Rogen plays the son of a respectable newspaper

distinct styles. There’s the brooding drama that

tycoon who can’t live up to his Dad’s

verges on taking itself too seriously (Watchmen,

expectations and chooses instead to throw TV’s

the Batman franchise, the upcoming ‘rebooted’

out of hotel windows and hook up with gold

Spiderman movies). Then there’s the antithesis

diggers. When his father dies, he decides along

of that, the superhero movie that makes fun of

with his incredibly gifted mechanic (who is

itself (Kick-Ass, Megamind, The Incredibles). The

Chinese; half the movie’s jokes are based around

Green Hornet can be placed in the latter

this fact) to become a superhero and fight crime.

that exciting. The whole thing is colourful and

category. That much could be predicted from

Not to avenge his father’s death or anything; it’s

cheery in the same vein as Kick-Ass. In truth, if

the fact that Seth Rogen wrote the script. And

more for the sake of doing something cool with

you’ve seen that film, just imagine it mixed with

the eccentric Michel Gondry, known for ‘Eternal

all his money.

a ‘bromance’ like in Superbad or I Love You Man.

Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ and ‘Be Kind

The element of comedy is the most entertaining,

Sound like your kind of movie? Then go see it.

Rewind’, is directing.

the action scenes are often too long and not

By Evin Keane

page 14

Backing Up your PC Dear Tech Guy, I need to back-up my computer so I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t lose my important documents and photos, etc. but how do I go about backing up my PC? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Thomas Thomas,

your PC will automatically collect all your

First of all make sure you have a

files and user settings and create a backup

portable/external hard drive for your back-up

on your drive as long as you have adequate

with adequate enough space for all your

space for it and your hard drive is connected

documents, etc. (ideally your back-up drive

to your PC. So depending on what you want

should be slightly larger than your hard drive

to back-up both of these methods are

in your PC) There are two ways in which you

effective in ensuring your important

can back-up your computer and depending on

documents are safely stored in case anything

what you want to back-up you can decide

may happen to your PC. Also, I recommend

which is the best method for you. You can

that all users back-up their PC on a regular

simply copy and paste the folders you want to

basis as with all the many risks out there it is

back-up from your PC to your hard drive so

always good to be prepared for the

you can be sure of the exact items you want

unexpected. (Note: some PCs may not have

to back-up. For example if you wanted to just

a distinct back-up utility but usually this can

back-up your pictures then you will only need

be found by searching your PC or you can

to copy and paste your pictures folder into

even go to Google and type in your PC name

your external hard drive and the job is done!

and back-up to find where it may be or if

Alternatively if you just want to back-up

there is any back-up software out there that

everything you have most systems come with

you could use to back-up your system)

a back-up utility to allow you to back-up all your files. In Windows you can go to your

If you have any tech questions or issues you

control panel and it may take a wee bit of

can email Sin tech help at sintechguy@live.ie

tweaking with your viewing of the control

and I will be able to address any of your

panel but you will come across the option to

problems and questions in the next issue of

backup/restore your system by clicking this,

Sin!

Keith Farnan to play NUIG Keith Farnan is to return to NUIG with Sex Traffic on

and they don't seem to know there's a boxing match

Tuesday, 15th Feb at 7pm as part of SHAG Week.

happening. At the same time, Iceland has turned to a

Tickets will be 3 euro from the Socs Box.

female Prime Minister and the EU have turned to

Sex Traffic is the third in a series of thought

Angela Merkel to save them from ruin...or clean up the

provoking and poignant shows. His previous shows

mess. So what do we want from women, and what do

Cruel and Unusual (about the Death Penalty,

they want from themselves?

performed in NUIG last year in aid of Amnesty

"Farnan has taken the age-old women are from Venus,

International) and No Blacks. No Jews. No Dogs. No

men are from Mars line and given it a sharp, funny and

Irish. All Welcome (about racism and fascism) both

very relevant spin" Chortle

enjoyed sell-out West End and Edinburgh runs. It

"Utterly charming and highly intelligent" The Stage

proved that Keith is not only one of the more

"This is political comedy at its best, perfectly

challenging comedians on the scene, but also the next

balanced, deadly serious and very funny" Fest

best thing to come out of Ireland. In Sex Traffic, Keith

Magazine

looks at whether we value women or if we simply put

So, we at Comedy Soc urge you not to miss either of

a price on them. In a year when Primark were caught

these shows. They both experienced near sold-out

selling push up bra's to 7 year olds. A Doctor revealed

runs on the Fringe last summer and have proven their

she was the high class escort Belle De Jour, and the

worth there and surpassed expectations year and year

Mumsnet Election returned even fewer female MP's,

again. We're excited, and we hope you are too.

women's right to equality seemed to be on the ropes,

By Melissa Mannionv

page 15

One hundred and eighty Anyone perusing Sky Sports over

The age profile also adds to the

which haven’t quite transcended the

football matches we’re privileged to

the festive period would have been

intrigue, men in their fifties going

sporting boundaries imposed by

enjoy in North Tipperary.

forgiven for thinking they had

toe to toe with prodigious

conventional stereotypes? How does it

For all the glorious feast of sport that’s

secured the rights to ‘Britain’s

teenagers.

differ from archery, an integral part of

on offer over the festive season, the

Toughest Boozers’. Men with looks

In an age where obesity seems to

the modern day Olympics? Surely all

darts is perhaps the highlight. It

and nicknames reminiscent of

be an ever growing concern,

sports can be dissected and relevant

possesses a unique charm, transfixing

minor characters in ‘Lock, Stock

perhaps we should be welcoming

flaws pointed out that would hinder

grown men to the television in the same

and Two Smoking Barrels’ doing

different sporting paths for

their right to be classed as such, and not

way their progeny are drawn to their

battle by firing sharp objects to the

youngsters to pursue. Rather than

be subject to the same opprobrium that

bedroom window on Christmas night.

hysterical delights of their boozy,

isolating people who might not

greets the annual instalment of the

For someone that’s gone a little too long

voracious audience. Darts has

have the physical attributes

World Darts Championships. Those who

in the tooth to be hanging out the

endured a long battle in its right to

necessary to play soccer or rugby,

say it’s not a sport, if you can compete

Christmas stocking, you can’t ask for any

be accepted as a sport, and in some

maybe darts might be a decent

with a cigarette in your hand obviously

more than that.

ways it does itself no favours.

outlet for them. Yet on hearing of a

haven’t witnessed some of the Junior

Overweight, balding, jewellery clad

prospective darting prodigy, the

‘athletes’ being led onto the stage

original thought is of a young fella

by a bevy of beauties doesn’t

that’s spending too much time in

exactly evoke images of great

his local hostelry. That same venue,

sporting combat. Neither does their

however, can also be home to some

audience, primarily young males,

of the great mathematical minds of

dressed in an assortment of

modern times. Everyone has a

costumes, sporting various signs in

player in their local who would

the hand that isn’t preoccupied

struggle to count their fingers yet

with the consumption of vast

after twelve pints can effortlessly

quantities of lager.

calculate makings of a 137

Away from the boozy facade

checkout. The sport is as inherent

though, there’s little doubting the

to the pub culture as a hangover

sport’s credentials. While enormous

and, being honest, that looks

skill is an important factor, the

unlikely to change. The Steve

competition boils down to perhaps

Brown academy is an excellent

an even more elusive attribute,

example of a current professional

mental fortitude. The result is sheer

trying to take darts out of the pubs,

unpredictability, and facilitates

yet in reality, the vast majority of

upsets on a scale unmatched in any

local competition takes place

other sporting sphere.

within the environs of the local bar.

From competitors to

It’s hard to envisage darts ever

commentators, the darts circuit

being able to shake off its current

possesses more characters per

stigma. Unfortunately, this doesn’t

capita than your favourite sitcom

acknowledge the hours of practice,

and the whole industry flies in the

or the mental strain of approaching

face of modern fascination with

the oche needing a three figure

clean living role models. So much

check out to remain in the World

so, in fact, that Phil Taylor’s game

Championship. And perhaps, even

apparently regressed after losing

if it did, it would lose the intrinsic

excess poundage. Andys ‘The

qualities that make it such an

Viking’ Fordham and ‘The Pie Man’

intriguing spectacle in the first

Smith wouldn’t find a home in

place.

many other sports, at least not this

And if it’s not a sport, what is it

side of Japan, but that’s a fact to be

exactly? Does it fit into some

welcomed rather than disparaged.

parallel sphere for those activities

sport

page 16

Gary Neville: the man you love to hate By Damien McEvoy February 2nd 2011 will no doubt be a

probably their best performance together

United appearance on January 1st 2011

happy day for a lot of football fans who

when United totally outclassed a defensive

against West Brom, in a game which

dislike Gary Neville. The Manchester

Italian side racing into a two goal lead with

showed the end was in sight for Neville.

United right-back announced his

two outstanding crosses by Beckham to

Injury had taken its toll and the emergence

retirement from the game after nearly 20

the inform Dwight Yorke to see off the

of Rafael da Silva in his position meant the

years of service at the Theatre of Dreams.

Italians with only the first-half played at

game was up, in a similar way in which he

Neville is dubbed one of the most despised

Old Trafford. That game was part of the

had ended Paul Parker’s United career all

footballers in the English Premier League,

run which saw Neville and his teammates

those years ago.

generation at Old Trafford. He came

lift the European Cup in the Nou Camp,

Neville represented his country 85 times,

through the ranks with David Beckham,

Barcelona in 1999 after a memorable game

making him England’s most capped right

Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and

against Bayern Munich. This was arguably

back. He featured in Euro 96, 2000 and

his younger brother Philip Neville. He

Neville’s greatest achievement claiming a

2004, as well as World Cup 1998 and 2006,

made his debut in September 1992 against

European Cup winner’s medal.

a broken foot caused him to miss out on a

Torpedo Moscow in the UEFA Cup. These

An injury against Bolton in March 2007,

place in Japan & Korea in 2002.

players were part of the new team formed

meant that he didn’t play much throughout

Whether you love or hate him, Gary

by manager Alex Ferguson that went on to

the latter years of his United career as he

Neville will go down in history as one of

dominant English football throughout the

missed out on a place in the squad for the

England’s and Manchester United’s

1990’s and into the 2000’s, despite Alan

2008 Champions League final against

greatest defenders spending nearly 10

Hansen’s views, taking over from Liverpool

Chelsea, and the 2009 final against

years as first choice right-back for both

as England’s most powerful team, no doubt

Barcelona. Neville captained United for

club and country. With over 600 club

Neville took great pleasure from this alone.

five years after being handed the armband

appearances, 7 goals and 4 red cards,

Neville quickly made the right-back slot his

by Alex Ferguson, following Roy Keane’s

Neville was also voted in the PFA team of

own after an injury to Paul Parker meant

departure in 2005. Injury would also rob

the year in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2005 and

Neville was drafted in to cover and never

him of this honour, which was shared by a

2007.

looked back. Neville went on to make over

host of United’s most experienced players

No doubt many of his fellow players would

600 appearances for Manchester United

before finally being handed to Nemanja

love to have won the major honours he has

and is United’s second longest serving

Vidic in 2010 on a permanent basis.

won and many managers would have loved

player only behind recently voted United’s

Neville opted to spend his entire career at

to have had him in their squads throughout

greatest player ever in Ryan Giggs.

Manchester United unlike his brother Phil,

the years. When the history books are

Most United fans would agree Neville’s

who left in 2005 for Everton. Throughout

written and the best players are selected

best period for United came when he

his career Neville won 8 Premier League

for the greatest ever Premier League team,

played with David Beckham ahead of him

titles, 1 European Cup medal, 1

there wont be many players realistically

on the right flank. Their understanding of

Intercontinental Cup, 1 Fifa Club World

challenging Gary Neville for the right back

each others game was superb. The clash

Cup, 2 League Cups and 3 Community

position. Love him or hate him!

with Inter Milan in March 1999 was

Shields. He made his last Manchester

mainly for his outspoken views on everything and anything, and also due to the fact that he played for one the most successful teams in Premier League history. Neville’s actions in January 2006, when he ran towards the Liverpool supporters to celebrate a late equaliser by teammate Rio Ferdinand, not only earned him a £5000 fine and a warning over his future conduct but also endeared him to many of United fans who secretly disliked him also, as did most of the country, but further enraged him to many critics in football, mainly those connected with Liverpool. Neville joined Manchester United as an apprentice upon leaving school in 1991, going on to captain the youth team. Neville was part of the up and coming

sport

page 17

January transfer window THE DEALS By Conor Lane

The January transfer window was considered a time when clubs bought players due to necessity but these days, thanks to the ridiculous inflation of playervalues and the massive wealth of certain clubs, it is now considered a time when a manager can spend enormous amounts of money on a player who he thinks can help push his club on in the second half of the

with them and probably brought some world attention to Tottenham’s doorstep if only for a short period of time.

Edin Dzeko: Manchester City landed the big Wolfsburg striker for £27m. The Bosnia and Herzegovina international scored 66 goals in 111 appearances for the German side making him a proven threat in front of goal. Whether he can replicate that in the Premiership remains to be seen.

season. Here are some of the biggest stories and deals to come out in January:

Fernando Torres: He is thought of by many as the best striker in the world when he is in good form and when you look at his goal scoring records, it’s easy to justify. The talismanic Spaniard has been one of the rare shining lights to come out of Liverpool in previous years. It was obvious that he was fed up with a team that is nowhere near its former glory- days. He handed in a transfer request upon hearing that Chelsea had made a bid worth £35m, which were both rejected. Liverpool’s board stated that should they receive a bid worth £50m then he could leave and in the last few hours of the window, exactly that happened. He signed a five and a half year deal.

David Beckham: He may be one of the most famous athletes in the world and at one stage in his career, a long time ago mind you, he was one of the best players as well but at the age of 35, it is hard to imagine how he was going to help Tottenham in any great shape or form. It didn’t stop Harry from trying his upmost to land the star but due to complicated insurance issues, Beckham was unable to play for Spurs but he was able to train

Andy Carroll: One of England’s brightest new stars and Newcastle’s latest hero, for not very long mind you. The 6ft 3” centre forward had become one of the most sought after players in the Premier League. It is reported that offers from Tottenham (£25m) and Liverpool (£30M) were both rejected and even called derisory. Carroll obviously has potential and he has scored 11 goals this season but he’s still got a lot to prove and has a history of trouble in his personal life. The huge amounts of money being offered for him were far from derisory. In an act of desperation, Liverpool forked out £35m on deadline-day, which, if anything, will help fill the huge Torres shaped hole in the supporters hearts, to become the second most expensive footballer in the Premier League.

Steven Pienaar: The South African joined Tottenham from Everton in a deal worth around £3m. A huge loss to David Moyes whose club is going through a tough time as it is. Apparently Chelsea were keen on signing him but that fell through to Harry Redknapps’ delight. The 28 year old attacking midfielder is a good, cheap acquisition.

Sergio Aguero: Athletic Madrid turned down an audacious £38.5m offer from Tottenham on the eve of the penultimate day of the transfer window. The Argentinian superstar has been the figure of intense speculation with Chelsea rumored to have offered £52m for both Aguero and his team-mate Diego Godkin (defender) which was rejected. Real Madrid are thought to have offered €45m which is very close to his buy-out clause, the offer was also rejected. The 22 year old has scored 61 goals in 157 appearances for his club. Aguero signed a contract on deadline day to keep him in Madrid until June 2014 but

with a lower release clause so he is likely to stay there for the immediate future.

Luis Suarez: Liverpool landed one of the most highly rated forwards in Europe. The Reds paid Ajax £22.8m for the Uruguayan’s services. Last season he scored an astonishing 49 goals in 48 appearances for Ajax in the Dutch League.

Darren Bent: Aston Villa smashed their transfer record to sign the 26 year old who scored 36 goals in one and a half seasons for Sunderland. The deal was worth £18m but will increase to a total of £24m with add-ons over time. It will be money well spent if he can keep Villa up this season.

Emmanuel Adebayor: The temperamental forward joined Real Madrid on loan from Manchester City until the end of the season with the option of a permanent deal. It is likely Mourinho views him as someone to temporarily fill the void that was left by Gonzalo Higuain who is out for the long haul with injury.

David Luiz: Chelsea signed the young Brazilian defender on deadline day from Benfica in a deal worth £21m. He established himself as one of the Portuguese’s best defenders and is known for his versatility across the back line.

Charlie Adam: He has established himself as one of the Premier Leagues finest passers of the ball and set-piece takers. The 25 year old midfielder handed in a transfer request after learning that Liverpool had lodged a bid worth £4m which gave Ian Holloway a good laugh. Alex Ferguson said that “Adam’s corners are worth £10m alone”. It all got a little bad-tempered as Adam’s agent tried to manufacture a move but Holloway was insistent that the money being offered was not acceptable and no deal took place. Adam is likely to land himself a move in the summer.

Ryan Babel: In yet another deal involving Liverpool, the youngish, Dutch, attacking midfielder accepted a move to German side 1899 Hoffenheim for which Liverpool received £6m. Babel moving on was inevitable as he was simply unable to establish himself as a regular in the first team.

clubs page

page 18

New Clubs Website NUI Galway HAS A WORLD CHAMPION!!!

NUI Galway’s Clubs have launched a new Clubs website, check it out at www.clubs.nuigalway.ie. Our new funkier website is now easier to navigate, so you can find information about your

Stiofán de Lundres Ó Dálaigh of NUI Galway Darts Club won the Inaugural World University Darts Masters' Title in The Netherlands last December & also reached the Inaugural World University Darts Singles & Pairs Finals. Congratulations DANGER!

club. The new website has a calendar to let you know what clubs are training when, so now there is no excuse!

Pictured L-R: Eric Coleman-Brockie Clubs' Captain, Stiofán de Lundres Ó Dálaigh NUI Galway Darts Club, Kathy Hynes Development Officer for Clubs and Participation.

NUI Galway has over 45 Clubs ranging from water sports to indoor sports, martial arts clubs to field sports not to mention the great outdoor clubs. Information on training times, contact details for committee’s and latest news for each club are available on the clubs website. You can also sign up to become a member of any club to receive their latest news & information on upcoming events. Play your part in a NUI Galway Sports Club you won’t regret it!

Kathy's Corner Kathy Hynes Development Officer for Clubs & Participation On Thursday 24th of March, NUI Galway’s Sports & Recreation Unit will present the annual Sports Awards in the Ardliaun Hotel. Tickets for the evening & nomination forms are now available in the Sports & Recreation Unit. In particular nominations are sought for the new Participation awards that acknowledge recreational participation in individuals or teams. Thanks to all Clubs using the kiosk in the University Sports Complex! A new Kiosk will be in Dangan soon so keep an eye out in the coming weeks

Don’t forget Clubs Captains meeting – Wed 16th Feb @ 4pm in the Conference Room, University Sports Complex. Some of the items which will be discussed are the leadership Programme, Sports Awards and the upcoming Clubs Captain Elections Email Eric (Clubs Captain) with any other business e.colemanbrockie1@nuigalway.ie

SPORT NEWS

page 19 31

Ladies Hockey: Ladies Soccer: NUIG beat Greenfields 10-0 League Cup Quarter Final By Síle Johnson The game began at a high tempo with the

After a slow start to the second half, it was soon

students charging ahead in the opening minutes

goal scoring time again for NUI Galway, with the

when midfielder Niamh O’Halloran hit a cracker

ever energetic Orla Callinan getting the decisive

of a shot from the top of the circle. Jane

touch amid a goal line scramble. The second half

O’Higgins soon added her name to the score

was a lapse in goal scoring while the college side

sheet after an impressive passage of play, which

seemed to engage in other activities, namely

began after a tackle by vice captain Aoife Dervan

NUIG 2 - 0 UL by Johnny Hynes The new year started on a bright note for

half Rosa Shine gathered the ball on the half

the NUI Galway ladies soccer team with a

way line, a great individual run resulted with

great win over UL in the league cup. NUI

a superb strike from 35 yards out. To the

receiving green cards. Louise Riordan and

Galway got off to a brillant start when

delight of NUI Galway management duo of

at left back.

newcomer Margaret Selsor were both charged

Daniela Gordon was fouled in the box, after

John Mellet and Johnny "BEANO" Hynes

Brimming with confidence, the students

with dangerous tackling, and received the green

10 minutes which resulted in a penalty.

Shine found the top right hand corner of

continued to press hard on the Greenfield’s

triangle for their efforts.

Captain and centre back Nuala Marshall

the net.

circle. They succeeded in winning a short corner

It wasn’t long before the NUI Galway girls

stepped up, with a great low strike which

which was converted when Síle Johnson picked

continued to add to their tally, Lesley O Flynn

left NUI Galway 1-0 up.

up the rebound after a straight strike from the

deflecting a perfectly placed pass from Aoife

top. Johnson soon doubled her tally with a shot from the top, to put her side 4-0 in front.

Smyth in a short corner. Aoife Roisin Burke Pic: Aisling Gaffney rounded up the days scoring to push her side 10-

Greenfields soon overcame the initial shock of the college onslaught and began to break

The second half was a closer contest as both sides kept attacking each other. UL came

This great start resulted in Limerick rallying

close to scoring with a free kick but NUI

0 up. She received a ball at the top of the circle

to put pressure on the back four Galway

Galway’s keeper Leona Doolin pushed it

from a long corner, and found herself with ample

students, Karah Chapman, Nuala Marshall,

over the bar. With the introductions of

through the midfield. However, they soon found

space to fire the ball comfortably into the

Bridgetta Menton and Emily Farrell all did

Shauna Kerr and Rachel Clery giving an

that the students’ defence was as powerful as its

bottom left hand pocket.

their bit to keep the home side at bay.

extra boost of energy in the second half,

attack. After a period of college defence, a

The victory is a memorable one from the NUI

Central midfield pairing Caila Zappla and

NUI Galway went on to comfortably see

quickly taken side line ball found Aoife Róisin

Galway side’s point of view. It represents in part

Rosa Shine combined well to give the

out the match 2-0 winners, next stop semi-

Burke in midfield with acres of space and only

the turn around that this season has brought.

one Greenfields defender. Burke got passed the

The team now sits comfortably in the top end of

Galway side the upper hand. Late in the first

finals.

defender with her quick pace and her run drew

the league table with only one league match to

the Greenfields goalkeeper to set up Johnson

go, against Galway 2nd’s who came back from 2-

with an open goal, to secure NUI Galway’s 5th

0 down in the closing ten minutes, to defeat the

of the day.

college side 3-2. It is sure to be a thriller at the

The most impressive goal of the day came from

end of February.

Cork born Jane O’Higgins who bagged her

Meanwhile, the 2nd’s team have played two

second late in the opening half. She received the

matches of late. Their first was against a strong

ball close to the 22 metre line, and proceeded on

Renmore 1sts side, who had a goal blitz in the

a great individual run that eliminated four

opening quarter scoring three goals in quick

defenders with her lightening pace and skilful

succession. The college side only managed to

stick work. She found herself in the circle, and

pull one back, through forward Beth Armstrong,

finished in a fashion that was worthy of her solo

before the half time whistle.

run. Burke closed out the half for the college

The 2nds team also played against Galway 3rds.

side, with a well struck shot into the bottom left

The match ended in a scoreless draw, which was

hand corner, leaving the goalkeeper no

a disappointing result for the college side who

opportunity to prevent her side from finding

have become accustomed to victory. They still

themselves 7 goals in arrears at the half time

remain at the top end of the table given their

whistle.

undefeated league form before Christmas.

NUIG hosts archery intervarsity By Noel Colleran Over 130 competitors travelled from third level

finished in 3rd place in the Advanced Female

institutes all over Ireland to the University

Recurve Category. Unfortunately it was the first

Sports Complex in NUI Galway on the first

year in a long time that NUI Galway failed to

weekend in February. NUI Galway hosted both

maintain their unbeaten streak on home ground.

its stage of the National Colleges Archery

But considering it was a NUI Galway team

Intervarsity league as well as the National Indoor

consisting mainly of young archers who have

Bar Bow championship.

only been shooting for a year, overall it was a satisfactory result.

University Limerick (UL) were the overall

Sunday's National Bare Bow competition proved

winners on Saturday, followed by University

more successful in terms of awards won, with

College Dublin (UCD), Dublin City University

both Carl Byrne and Oliver Grant of NUI Galway

(DCU) and NUI Galway in 2nd, 3rd and 4th place

Archers coming first in their respective

respectively. NUI Galway student Aisling Finn,

categories, Beginner Recurve and Senior Recurve.

The Rubberbandits @ The Black Box

In association with

Wednesday 2nd March 8:00pm Tickets €10 with SU Card

Comedian David McSavage & Support Monday 28th February 8pm, Kirwan Theatre, Tickets €5, ROAR

Smash Hits - 90’s Night College Bar Sunday 27th February Tickets €2.99 with SU Card