October 12th 2010
| The difference is we’re independent
Vol. 24. No 3
The College Tribune Politics ››
The Siren ››
Where did our Celtic Tiger go?
The Siren analyses Hipsters
page 8
page 2
Where’s Wally? Law Soc suffer disappointing start to semester. Students question the integrity of the Society’s promises. Ciara Murphy UCD’s biggest society, Law Soc, have had a disappointing start to the year with the cancellation and postponment of two high profile events. Law Soc were forced to postpone their “Government Debate”, that was set to feature Brian Cowen and Enda Kenny held last week as the speakers that were booked were unable to attend. This follows on from Law Soc’s cancellation of an event that was set to honour Oscar winning actor Tim Robbins during Fresher’s Week– who subsequently claimed to know nothing of his advertised visit to UCD. Robbins’ appearance was heavily advertised by the society and was used to attract members during Fresher’s Week. Law Soc claimed Robbins was due to receive an honorary life membership from the society and would talk to the society’s members at the event. However
Robbins’ management subsequently revealed that the actor had no knowledge of the event. Kieran McCarthy, Law Soc Auditor, told The College Tribune that he was partially to blame for the Robbins mishap however contrary to some opinions on campus McCarthy also stated that there was some confusion on Robbins’ end and that it was not all one sided. McCarthy said that “with an event that big it is very difficult to get the correct information to everyone at the same time.” On a general note, McCarthy also pointed out that VIP speakers are not bound by contract and can cancel at anytime and moreover as a society “you are the first group speakers can cancel on.” Many students are convinced however that Law Soc are entirely to blame for the
Robbins fiasco, Michael McClintock a 2nd year student told The College Tribune that, “until I read about how Law Soc were never in contact with Tim Robbins, I thought he just wasn’t bothered, it is bad form [of Law Soc] to try and move the blame from themselves to [Tim Robbins].
In relation to the lack of information distributed to make students aware of the cancelation of the event McCarthy pointed out that he was still until a very late stage attempting to salvage the event. McCarthy pointed out that there was a Facebook notification released to inform
members of the cancellation but did admit that more information should have been released to the appropriate press sources and accepts fault for the lack of information. The title of biggest society on campus is a prestigious Continued on page 2 »
Where’s Cowen? Where’s Robbins? Where’s Kenny?
Lynam Defends Cost of Class Rep Training at Inaugural SU Council Weekend training costs Students’ Union €10,500. Some Reps voted in with as little as three votes. Donie O’Sullivan The cost of class-rep training which was held this weekend in Carlow was questioned by a non-voting member at the inaugural meeting of the UCD Student’s Union Council last Thursday. The meeting which was held in Theatre Q in the Newman Building saw only
approximately two-thirds of newly elected class reps attend. Paul Lynam, the SU president (pictured right) was challenged on the cost of the class-rep training weekend by a nonvoting member who was in attendance. Class-rep training traditionally takes place
the weekend after class-rep elections and is usually held in a location outside of Dublin, the SU paying for transport, accommodation and all other expenses for the weekend – a total cost this year of €10,500. The non-voting member Continued on page 2 »
www.thecollegetribune.net
2
|
News
Continued from front page Ciara Murphy one and is a title that attracts many lucrative sponsorship deals. L&H, who are only 90 members short of Law Soc’s this year, held the the title for many years. Niall Fahy, the Auditor of the L&H said “had Law Soc not had such a high profile event advertised for the Friday, we would have beaten them in the membership numbers”and went onto say that in his experience “many people would have signed up during the week purely because there was an event on the Friday”. Fahy however did acknowledge that his own society could have done more work to attract a larger membership such as“having more members on the stand trying to get people to sign up.” The society suffered another PR blow last week when The Government Debate had to be postponed as its mains speakers were involved in a late night session in the Dáil. McCarthy who is trying to preserve as much of the original line up as possible felt the debate would be more interesting and informative if it was postponed. A number of students who contacted The College Tribune took issue with the posters
for the original debate, which depicted protestors outside government buildings holding placards that included the time and location of the event and stated the names Brian Cowen and Enda Kenny (right). Some students are not entirely convinced that the two leaders were due to attend and many thought the poster was deliberately misleading. Many students are now questioning the integrity of the society’s promises who in their Law Soc calendar that they handed out during Fresher’s Week advertised high profile guests such as Zach Efron, Martin Sheen and Daniel Craig. McCarthy has ensured The College Tribune that future Law Soc events would still go ahead and that the recent incidents were just unfortunate mistakes. Despite recent events Law Soc have had many successes this year already. As well as achieving the highest enrollment during Fresher’s Week the society has also held some very successful events such as “Culchee versus Dubs” debated that was chaired by Ryan Tubridy, the Catholic Church Debate and a visit from internet sensations the Hardy Bucks. McCarthy said all these
Continued from front cover »
class-rep training was one of the main reasons I ran for class-rep, I heard it was a free weekend away that was full of drinking and said I might as well”. The elections which were held across campus last week saw a record number of candidates running for ClassRep positions. However despite this, turn out remained low with many candidates elected uncontested and a high number of vacant seats. Some candidates were voted in with an alarmingly low number of votes, as was the case in Nursing Stage 4 with the ClassRep being elected with only three votes. However competition was much more intense in other constituencies such as first year science which saw 26 candidates fighting it out for the six available places on council. Raymond Carley, stage 2 Engineering received the highest amount of votes of any candidate running this year, 58
questioned Lynam about the necessity of holding the training course off campus when it could be held within the grounds of UCD over the course of a weekend, thus eliminating transport and other costs with any savings made going towards more worthy causes such as the welfare fund. Lynam, who admitted that if training took place on campus it would almost reduce the costs by half, defended the weekend citing it as an opportunity for class-reps to form good working relationships with each other and the five sabbatical officers. He was also quick to point out that the weekend would not descend into to “one big piss-up” as had been the case in previous years. However despite Lynam’s pledge one newly elected classrep was looking forward to the weekend and told The College Tribune after the council, “the
“
Many students are now questioning the integrity of the society’s promises who... advertised high profile guests such as Zach Efron, Martin Sheen & Daniel Craig. McCarthy has ensured the College Tribune that all future LawSoc events would still go ahead
events were great successes for the society and assures students that many more are to follow. votes securing his place as classrep. The traditional trend of a greater interest amongst first and second year students in running and voting for ClasRep than older years was also prevalent this year. De Brún was also delighted with how the training weekend went saying it was “extremely productive” and that the new class-reps were “really into it and got a lot done.” However in the aftermath of training, one member of the Students’ Union told the College Tribune that anyone present at training were warned not to post pictures of the weekend event on the internet.
tolerate any of his vicepresidents arriving into work late, and said there would be no in-fighting within the team, an issue that has plagued many of their predecessors. Right: a promotional poster used by the Student Union to recruit Class Reps
Last Thursday Paul Lynam also stressed in his inaugural address to Council that, unlike previous sabbatical teams, he would not
www.thecollegetribune.net
October 12th 2010
The College Tribune
| 3
UCD Lecturer Refutes NUI Maynooth’s Findings On “Nature’s Big Bang” Findings are ‘biased’ says UCD Lecturer UCD to publish paper next month that will contradict NUI Maynooth’s findings Emma Smyth A lecturer at the School of developed the basic building Biology and Environmental block to all multi cell organisms Science in UCD has refuted that we know today. findings published last week by “This was a remarkable NUI Maynooth that claimed event, which appears to have to have solved how the basic happened only once. These building blocks of life were two primitive single cell life formed. forms came together in an Dr. Emmanuel Reynaud event that essentially allowed denies that the research of nature to grow big. It is in the NUI Maynooth’s team will, nucleus that we find the DNA as has been reported in both of all species, and for years it had the national and international been a puzzle as to how the first media, solve many of life’s nucleus was created. Now we mysteries. know,” said Dr James McInerney The Maynooth team claim to of the Bioinformatics and have identified the “single most Molecular Evolution Unit at phenomenal event in the history NUI Maynooth’s Department of life on the planet”, a moment of Biology. McInerney, who which amounted to nature’s big collaborated with Dr James bang when, two billion years Cotton, made his findings after ago, two single cell biological working at the world famous organisms fused together and FinalSanger Institute 19:43:28 in Cambridge. Salsa Wrap 259mm x 170mm CO.pdf 16/09/2010
Their work has just been published in the eminent Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in America, after 10 years of research funded by Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology. McInerney based his experiment on the genetics and information from the mapping of a yeast genome. Dr. Emmanuel Reynaud, UCD, applauded the efforts McInerney’s team, but said they are “biased by the way they present the project” and said that it was not a study but rather a hypothesis. Reynaud says the experiment was based on the “fusion” hypothesis, which is merely one of several, and also pointed out that the team from
NUI Maynooth only used the yeast genome, when there are several others that could have been used. Reynaud also claims McInerney’s work was published in the esteemed journal only because his views were supported by one of the editors. “If an editor likes your work, he will promote it.” Reynaud went on to tell The College Tribune that researchers at UCD may have come up with an alternative conclusion in a science paper that is due to be published next month. Reynaud claims that “McInerney is not going to be happy when he reads it” as it will contradict last week’s findings and will explain the process through “normal” Darwinist evolution.
Dr. Emmanuel Reynaud, UCD Dr James McInerney, NUI Maynooth
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
www.thecollegetribune.net
4
|
News
Proposal to Tax Text Messages
Social Justice Ireland maintains that
divide between age groups, with
mobile phone. There is bound to
within the diverse consumer group
they desire a budget that extracts
20% of 65-79 year-olds owning a
be varying reactions to this proposal
affected.
money
from
strategically
parts and
of
society
fairly. “Funds
should be raised by sections of society that can pay, and this tax is
Timothy Potenz
affordable. It is only one third of one
Vox Pop As a student on a budget, do you think this proposal are reasonable and fair? Jake Murray, 3rd Year:
Texts taxes may force students to
“We cannot forget that there is a
cent per text.”
unravel their tongues in the light of
21.5%VAT charged on texts already,”
SJI
this latest twister.
commented Tommy McCabe of the
the money raised to be spent
A proposal to tax text messages that
Irish Cellular Industry Association,
strategically, with
has been made by Social Justice
the body that represents Meteor, 3,
healthcare, welfare and education.
cost effective ways of communicating. As far as the government needs to make
Ireland has been met with anger by
Vodafone and O2. “This would be a
When asked whether or not there
money, I think they should set up a state-owned network rather than taxing a
students.
double taxation.”
are any legal provisions in place
Father Sean Healy, director of
In a press statement, the ICIA have
free market that has benefited everyone.”
to ensure that money raised from
Social Justice Ireland, has said that
said the proposal is “ill thought out
a specific tax must be spent as the
a levy on texts would contribute to
and would be unfair to consumers,
John Kelly, 2nd Year:
proposer of the tax advises, the Irish
a wider budget scheme that could
especially
Taxation Institute was unable to
“Texting isn't the most expensive medium. There are a lot of other
raise over two billion Euro for a
especially teenagers, young adults
offer any information.
free means of communication we can avail of.We can use the Stand
boost in the economy.
and the less well off, use texting
The question of how to spend the
Up and Surf and it never costs us a penney.
“We want to see a budget that is fair
as it has a lower cost than phone
money raised by such a scheme is
However, I would be interested to see where this proposal
to the less-well off in society, one
calls. Many avail of the free texting
not on the cards yet, as the proposal
that taxes only those with the means
bundles provided by operators. If a
is coming from and what its aims are.”
has only recently been made. For
to meet its demands.”
tax were placed on such offers, it
the time being, it remains to be seen
Fr. Healy is of the opinion that text
would distort competition.”
Eoghan Reagan, 1st Year:
whether or not these measures will
messages are sent by choice, rather
As a means of communication
translate into actual legislation.
“As a student my budget is quite tight. But as I see it, there is a huge
than out of necessity. According
texting crosses the board as one
“This scheme will not be a success,”
to him, texting is an appropriate
of the most frequently used social
speculated Gary Redmond. “It
students to be complaining. People are losing their jobs, the public sector
service to target under tax, as it is
networks.A survey conducted by the
is ill-conceived and without any
is being annihilated, huge cuts are coming in. I think a tax on text
used by the better off citizens of the
Commission for Communications
foundation.”
state.
Regulations (ComReg) found that
messages wouldn't be the worst thing in the entire world.”
Tommy McCabe of the ICIA has
“Texting is more frequent among
on average 1,450,000 texts are sent
said “consumers would be up in
the higher levels of society, and I
by people aged 15-24 every day.
Brian O'Rourke, 3rd Year:
arms if this measure went through.
don’t think this will effect people in
However some are of the view that
We consider it a grossly unfair
“I can understand where they're coming from. However, there is no
an overly damaging way.”
with a public debt of over 55% of
proposal.”
point doing this for people who are on pay as you go, as they only
Gary Redmond, President of the
the GDP, proposals are arriving
“Consumers” in this case applies
have a limited amount of money to spend on texts. Its fine doing
Union of Students Ireland said“This
left, right and centre to raise funds
to broad range of people. ComReg
this for people on bill pay, because they can obviously afford to pay
[text messaging issue] is a step
in whatever way possible and that
surveys reveal that high income
too far. Student budgets are tight
texting may simply a stone that
the extra bit, otherwise they wouldn't be on line rental.”
groups as well as low are frequent
enough as it is.”
must be overturned like all others.
texters. Texting even bridges the
the
young.
People,
are
also
campaigning emphasis
for on
“I don't agree that it’s the more affluent members of society that use text messages. Almost everyone uses mobiles in UCD and texting is one of the most
amount of tax that has to come into this country. Its a bit whiny for
Narrowing Gender Gap in Third Level Education Welcomed Olivia Reidy 45% of those in Third Level institutions are male High points courses remain female dominated It has emerged for the first time in decades that the number of male students at third level has increased, according to a study by the Higher Education Authority. For the past number of years female students have outnumbered male students by 51% to 49% in universities and in other higher education institutions by more. New figures provided by the HEA (Higher Education Authority) clearly shows that third level universities now have a 45% share of male students. According to Tom Boland, Chief Executive of the HEA (pictured right), “The commitment of young women to education continues to be a strong and positive feature of our higher education system, but the increased participation of young men is a very positive development. The figures indicate that the economic downturn has acted as a disincentive for young
males to leave education early. During the boom years many went into the workplace, particularly construction, with few of the skills needed to equip them for a lifetime of work. While in the short term even graduates will have difficulty in finding work, those with a qualification are more likely to do so, and in the medium to longer term it is good for the young people concerned and for the country that they now avail of education opportunities.” The alteration in the gender gap over the decades has been due to the explosive rise in student numbers, which has increased from 41,000 in publicly funded institutions in 1980 to the present figure of 188,000. However male students are still under-performing compared to their female
counterparts, as evidenced by the following: Females outnumber males in Irish universities by 57% to 43%. Males outnumber females in the Institutes of Technology by 55% to 45%, but on honours degree (Level 8) programmes, there are more females (52%). In most disciplines at undergraduate level, women outnumber men. The exceptions are business, which is 53% male; agriculture, which is 59% male; and engineering, which is 78% male. Science is 55% male, but this includes computer science, which comprises 84%
male students. When computing is excluded, science has a majority of female students, at 51%. High points courses continue to be female dominated. Veterinary medicine and pharmacy are 70% female, while 57% of law students are women. In medical courses, females are three times as likely to take up a third level place. Teaching will continue to be female dominated as over 78% of education students are women. 61% of those who score 450 points or higher in the Leaving Certificate are female, while 65% of those who score 550 points or higher are female. The increase in male participation has been welcomed by the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT). However, the Federation has warned that it highlights the growing pressure put on both staff and resources in universities, due to pay cuts. Many universities will now be forced to cope with an influx of new students, including the international,
mature and recently enrolled students. The influx is straining the university system to their maximum capacity, as they are constantly having to cope with pay cuts and pressure on staff and resources. Mike Jennings, the General Secretary for the IFUT, said: “This situation threatens the ability of our education system to respond effectively to students’ teaching needs. The government is jeopardising the very system that produced the graduates that helped Ireland emerge from the last recession of the 1980s. It is an
approach that threatens not just third level education but the ability of our economy to recover and prosper in future.”
Higher Education Student Population... Year 2010 2000 1990 1980
Male 47.9% 46.3% 52.6% 56.0%
Female 52.1% 53.7% 47.9% 44.0% www.thecollegetribune.net
October 12th 2010
The College Tribune
| 5
UCD Students Encouraged to Join National Protest Donie O’Sullivan 15,000 students expected to take to the streets Fears that registration fees could double and the grant could be cut by 5% The Union of Students in Ireland
€1,500 registration fee is certainly
graduate
(USI) has revealed to The College
a barrier to many in accessing third
seriousness of the situation is now
Tribune that they are planning a
level education, and if that were to
apparent, after the publication of
National Student Protest March in
go up to €2,500 or €3,000, you will
figures recently shows that there are
Dublin for Wednesday, November
see many students not being able to
100,000 unemployed graduates in
3rd.
return to college next September”.
Ireland, and 60,000 are emigrating
Gary Redmond, President of USI,
Redmond said the USI “have spent
every year.
told The College Tribune that
most of the summer calling on the
Redmond expects there to be well
the march is part of a wider USI
Tánaiste and Minister for Education,
in excess of 15,000 students taking
campaign
Mary Coughlan to outline her
part in the march, which will depart
not Emigration” - the three main
position” on the registration fee
from Parnell Square at 12.30pm on
objectives of which are to “cap
situation but “she has refused to do
Wednesday, November 3rd and will
registration
so.”
follow a route through the city
grant” and “end the brain drain.”
There is also a “huge concern that
centre to the gates of Leinster
USI want the government to place
the grant may take another 5%
House where the protest will focus
a cap on the current registration fee
cut in the budget, 5% is a very
on. Redmond hopes that between
of €1,500. “There has been an awful
significant amount and we will be
3,000 and 5,000 UCD students will
lot of talk and speculation that we
marching to protect the grant,” said
attend.
could see the registration fee go up
Redmond.
Pat de Brún, UCDSU Campaigns
to €2,500 or €3,000 in this year's
USI
budget,”
government
entitled
“Education
fees”, “protect
Redmond
said.
the
He
pointed out that “the current
are
also
calling
Communications
The
on
the
develop
a
said that the Students Union “will
“comprehensive policy to deal with
be putting a massive push to get
to
and
unemployment”.
as many students on the streets.”
have needed to march on all these
affected. De Brún expressed his
He said the Union will be selling
matters simultaneously”.
disappointment with the Greens,
t-shirts for the protest and those
Both Redmond and De Brún
saying that they “seem to be putting
who purchase t-shirts will get a free
pointed out that they will be
up no resistance.”
bus into town.
putting pressure on the Green Party
Although the main national protest
De Brún stressed the importance
to withdraw from government if
will take place on November 3rd
of the march. “We need to get the
registration fees are increased as it
in Dublin, USI are also planning
message out there that everyone’s
was one of the deal breakers in the
two regional marches in Cork and
education is on the line, there
party's programme for government
Galway at the end of November in
has scarcely been a time that we
that tuition fees would not be
the run up to the budget.
Officer,
Student Assistance Fund 2010-2011 Applications for the Student Assistance Fund 2010-2011 will be available on Monday 11 October 2010. This scheme is funded by the Department of Education and Science with assistance from the European Social Fund. It is means tested and funding will be targeted at those students who are in most financial need. Students who are currently registered at UCD to a course of at least one year are eligible to apply. Please note that students who have completed a degree, and are registered for a second degree at the same level, (e.g. students undertaking a 2nd Bachelor, Masters or PhD degree) are not eligible to apply.
Application to the Student Assistance Fund is a three part process as outlined below:
Part 1 Read the guidelines for applying to the Student Assistance Fund. The guidelines can be found here: http://www.ucd.ie/studentadvisers/financial.html Part 2 If after reading the guidelines you believe you may be eligible the application may be accessed through your SIS account under the Student Services tab beginning on Monday 11 October 2010. Please complete Part 2 of your application on-line and print it out. Part 3 of the application process requires applicants to submit the printed application along with hard copy financial documents (original or copy) and receipts to a Student Adviser. Only fully completed applications will be accepted by the Student Advisers.
Closing Date Friday 12th November 2010 at 12.00 noon
For further information contact your Student Adviser or Students’ Union Welfare Officer
You must submit your fully completed application including relevant supporting documentation by 12th November at 12 noon. No late or incomplete applications will be accepted. If you are considering making an application, you are strongly encouraged to request the appropriate financial documentation (e.g. P21, P60, etc) from the relevant source immediately as there are usually delays in obtaining this information.
www.thecollegetribune.net
6
|
News
USI to Combat Graduate Unemployment with New Proposal Olivia Reidy 100,000 Graduates unemployed Emigration returns to 1980s levels The Union of Students in Ireland
of the internship, the employers
(USI) launched a new proposal to
will be given a PRSI (Pay Related
combat the increasingly shocking
Social
and growing number of unemployed
keep the graduate as a full-time
graduates in Ireland.
employee. The proposed internship
The proposal was launched outside
programme would be headed by
the Passport Office in Dublin on
the Department of Enterprise,Trade
1 October. The policy document
and Innovation.
titled
The
“Reigniting
the
Smart
Insurance)
USI
also
rebate
propose
to
the
Economy” aims to reduce the
implementation of measures to
number of unemployed graduates
gradually,
effectively and quickly.
an
With emigration up by an alarming
amongst third level students.
81% since 2006, its highest level
seeks the development of a policy
since the late 1980s, now is the
programme on how to mainstream
time for Ireland to take swift action,
entrepreneurship
according to the USI.
education
The proposal contains three main
form an entrepreneurial mindset
initiatives
graduate
within the entire education system.
unemployment. Firstly, it outlines
The union also wants universities
the formation of a €52m national
and other education institutions
internship
The
to encourage students, graduates
programme seeks to take 20,000
and researchers with commercially
students off the live register, by
viable business ideas to develop
providing places in both the public
them into companies, by providing
and private sectors.
a range of support services such as
Participants taking part in the
mentorship.
internship programme would still
The report also looks for the
be entitled to the full jobseekers’
implementation of measures to
allowance of €196 per week. The
improve
internship would last a maximum
graduates. They are proposing the
of one year, and the participants
introduction of a National Skills
would gain desirable experience in
Initiative
the workplace. Upon completion
in each college. It would cover
to
tackle
programme.
but
ethos
firmly,
of
to
that they have mastered a certain
these proposals now before it is too
employment. Graduates who are
graduates, whatever their degree
skill, the university in question can
late.”
not in paid employment are more
subject, including teamwork and
confirm that the student has a good
“Previous internship programmes
than twice as likely to be depressed.
interpersonal
and
understanding of the skill. Once a
have been on too small a scale
Findings on positive mental health
written communication, numerical
student has completed their degree,
to make any real difference to
indicate that having access to a job,
reasoning and personal planning
they will receive a certificate that
the unemployment crisis. With
income and good education are all
and organisation.
will list all the skills that the student
dangerously high levels of graduate
critical to positive mental health.
The USI hopes that these skills
has mastered.
unemployment and soaring levels
The
would be integrated into students’
Gary Redmond, President of the
of emigration, USI feels that we are
government to put into motion
degree programmes, by having
USI, said: “USI is launching this
fast reaching a point of no return for
the proposal as a subject of great
them broken down into simpler
policy with the welfare of thousands
Irish graduates.”
urgency.According to the USI, these
criteria and embedded into a
of Irish graduates in the balance, and
“The state has invested millions in
initiatives are critical to secure the
module. When the student shows
has asked the government to act on
education to create graduates that
future of Ireland’s smart economy.
are renowned across the globe for
The USI claims that during the
their expertise and academic calibre.
next 5 years the greater number
Therefore, it can only be seen as
of unemployed graduates will be
ludicrous to deny our graduates
forced to emigrate to countries
any opportunity to repay that
such as the US and Australia,
investment, by forcing them to
despite the state’s multi-million
emigrate or suffer the social effects
euro investment in education. This
on long term unemployment.”
means that Ireland will be losing its
Figures from the Central Statistics
graduates at a rate of 150,000 over
Office show that 90,800 people
the next 5 years
under the age of 25 signed on the
According to a survey carried
live register in August, compared to
out by the USI, it is clear that
51,300 for the same period in 2008.
unemployment is higher amongst
In March 2010 there were just
graduates
over 59,000 unemployed graduates
the
in Ireland. Supplementary to this
engineering and law.
are another 57,000 undergraduate
graduates throughout all disciplines
and postgraduate students who
are experiencing hardship when
completed higher education courses
it comes to finding a job.
this year, not taking into account
example, the majority of schools,
those in further education and other
both primary and secondary, receive
training.
hundreds of applications for one
skills, verbal
establish
entrepreneurship
into
employability
be
It
higher
particularly, but
the
skills recognised as essential for
also
of
Findings Education
implemented
Up to 40 extra CAO points could be offered After extensive negotiation, Ireland’s seven universities have agreed to award bonus points for higher level Maths in the Leaving Certificate. Last week, NUI Galway became the final university to accept the scheme, in the face of pressure from other universities and Minister for Education, Mary Coughlan. The scheme will be introduced in time for the 2012 Leaving Cert, meaning that students who are currently in fifth year in secondary school will be the first to avail of it. The decisive moment in the debate came three weeks ago, as UCD decided to accept the proposal on a four year trial period. It is hoped that the plan will encourage more students to study higher level Maths for the Leaving Cert. At present, only 16% of students take the higher level option. Consequently, this has led to Irish graduates having mathematical skills that compare badly with their European and international counterparts, leaving
them disadvantaged in many areas of the “smart economy”. The University of Limerick has operated a bonus points for higher level Maths scheme for several years, although it has not yet been decided whether the other universities will follow that model or devise one of their own. Details are expected to be finalised and announced in the coming weeks. It is assumed that there will be at least 40 extra CAO points on offer for the study of Maths at higher level, a figure which should attract a significantly larger number of students. Although NUIG has accepted the scheme, it seems that some doubts remain within the university as to how effective it will be. Professor Jim Ward, Deputy President of NUIG, holds some doubts about the plan, but commented that NUIG “did not want to stand in the way of the development of a national scheme.” Prof Ward argued that a bigger issue was the standard of teaching
is
calling
from
construction
on
disciplines sector,
the
in civil
However
For
HEA
(Higher
post. The USI survey also pointed
Authority)
survey
out that male graduates are more likely to be unemployed.
who graduated last year are in
of higher level Maths in secondary schools. He said, “It would be a mistake to view bonus points as the complete solution to the maths problem in Ireland. The teaching of maths at second level by teachers who are not fully qualified to teach the subject is a more fundamental problem.” Prof Ward continued in this vein, as he asked Minister Coughlan to work with the Teaching Council, as well as the universities, to co-ordinate the development of teachers and “enable them to gain the skills they need to teach mathematics to the required level.” This plan has been seen by some as a way of boosting Ireland’s economy, with employment being created in new sectors for which a high level of mathematical ability is required. Critics say that this plan could be a premature and overly optimistic viewpoint, as Ireland has been lagging behind many other countries for years in this area, so it is unlikely to be solved with the introduction of this scheme alone. Given that only 8,500 students actually took Maths at higher level in the 2010 Leaving Cert, it is likely to take a number of years for this trend to be reversed.
News in Brief
NUI Galway become final University to accept the initiative
a
indicate that only 45% of those
All Irish Universities to Grant Extra Points for Higher Level Maths Ciaran Leinster
of
USI
FADS off to a flier Stunned and intrigued looks were shared around campus last Wednesday, October 6th as twenty-five of UCD’s finest models, boasting a “fifties pin-up” theme, stepped out on the concourse to promote the Fashion and Design Society’s (FADS) “Freshers’ Fashion Show”, which was held later that evening in the student bar. Nine clothes shops showcased their finest garments on the runway, modelled by FADS members. Proving “le cheap, c’est chic,” clothing from one of the country’s largest clothing chain store deemed a great response in the opening half of the show, as did online store Ruby Cotton and ‘ubercool’ vintage store Lucy’s Lounge. Hair was done by a team from David Marshall and make-up by FADS make-up team Debs fashion was also
a prominent feature of the event, with 17 FADS members modelling dresses from Pamela Scott, Kodili, and Marian Gale, interjected with trendy new clothes from fashion boutique Urban Couture. The Fashion and Design Soc is one of UCD’s newest societies and promises some more great events throughout the year. Survey finds that students are responsible in consumption of alcohol A survey commissioned by the charity Drinkaware in the UK has found that students are more responsible drinkers than young adult workers. A poll of around 1,700 young people has found that students are likely to drink less, and less likely to find it acceptable to end up in hospital due to alcohol. The survey found that just 9% of students drink more than 16 units of alcohol on a regular
night out compared to 12% of young working adults. However three in ten students still admit to losing their memory after drinking. UCD Lecturer Calls for Water Charges Colm McCarthy, a senior UCD economist and author of the Bord Snip report, is calling for water charges to be introduced across the country. Charging all households for water would bring in €1 billion. Speaking on the issue, McCarthy said: “This notion that water has to be free simply because it falls from the sky, we have to get over that.” He went on to point out that free water is a luxury Ireland can no longer afford. Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley has indicated that he supports McCarthy’s views and wants water charges to be rolled out on a payper-use basis next year.
www.thecollegetribune.net
October 12th 2010
The College Tribune
| 7
Election Dejection with Meagre Turnout for Class Rep Voting Ciarán Breslin
ran uncontested for the three stages.
that was sorely lacking in the vast
to an extensive training weekend
about it as well, and encouraged our
seats were “always a concern”, but
Business and Law positions were
majority of constituencies, with six
they enjoy, held last weekend at the
programme officers to encourage
remained confident that through
Ciarán Breslin examines the state of the Union after it elects its new Class Reps for the year ahead.
either all uncontested or vacant,
candidates in total, where Miriam
expense of the university and by
people to get out and vote. So I
by-elections and continuous work
resulting in the students’ opportunity
Smyth was ultimately elected, after
extension, the students.
don’t feel there was much more
throughout the year, “we can fill
to vote being undermined.
a dead heat with Cathal O’Leary
we could have done in terms of
as many seats as possible”. When
Densely populated classes like the
on nineteen votes each. The battle
that. I think the main thing that it
asked about the lack of public
School of Geography, Planning and
for the places of the six first year
The importance of the Union
comes down to, when it comes to
communication between candidates
Environmental Policy have been left
Science Class Reps was fought
Council is perhaps best illustrated
turnout in class rep elections, is the
and voters, De Brún again placed
without a first year Class Rep. The
out between an extremely healthy
in the absence of the story from the
level of competition between the
the responsibility primarily on the
frequency of such unrepresented
number of 26 students.
“News” section of the homepage
candidates.”
candidates themselves rather than
classes raises the question of how
The trend in voting shows that
that greets every student before
Despite the low voting turnout, De
Union support. “As I said, that was
pressing the need for representation
first and second year showed much
signing into their UCD Connect
Brún was bullish in his assessment
up to the individual candidates. We
really is. Similarly, when candidates
more interest, both in terms of
account.
of the elections, pointing to the
took the decision not to give people
are being voted in with three votes,
voting and running, than the older
something of a lack of University
record number of runners.
He
materials to use, partly because there
as was the case in Stage 4 Nursing,
years. In Radiography for example,
interest in the Class Rep elections,
was also quick to disagree with any
are new rules in place that state that
it begs the question of how
there was a tightly contested battle
with the responsibility being instead
challenge of the need for Class Reps
flyering is not allowed in theatres,
representative of the student body
in first year, with 32 votes counted
on the candidates to generate
with such low voting numbers,
so we had to respect that.” Instead,
the Union Council is.
Students
to see Paul Kavanagh getting
interest. This was Campaigns and
insisting “You can’t really judge
De Brún argued, candidates were
have, in effect, voted en masse in
elected, while in second year Kevin
Communications Officer Pat de
someone on low turnout”. Despite
“actively encouraged” to address
favour of not needing individual
Cronin was elected uncontested,
Brún’s view when interviewed by
the overall disinterest of the student
their classes and engage with the
class representation.
and in subsequent third and fourth
The College Tribune about the
body in the elections, De Brún still
voters which, he stated, is a “much
Engineering, Science and Medicine
years there were no runners and
success of the elections.
maintains that the importance of
more effective way of canvassing
Class Reps proved to be the rare
seats remain vacant. This suggests
“It comes from both ends. It comes
Class Reps is indisputable. “Class
than flyers are anyway.”
success stories of the campaigns,
perhaps that Class Reps are more of
from the candidates and we can
Reps are an essential part of college
Whatever view one takes, the
with a university-wide high of
a concern for younger students and
do a bit for it as well. I mean we
life, they do an extremely important
question still remains.
58 votes seeing Raymond Carley
that after a few years at the university,
encouraged people as much as we
job, academically and socially for
UCDSU availing of the largest
elected in Stage 2 Engineering.
students deem them unnecessary.
could between our media, facebook,
their class, and I don’t think their
student body in the country, does
First
exhibited
The necessity for Class Reps
twitter, website, emails and we
importance can be underestimated.”
the class rep system actually fulfil
the interest and competitiveness
requires clarification, not least due
postered around all the buildings
De Brún did admit that vacant
the goals it is meant to achieve?
Students could be forgiven for being unaware of the serious elections being held in UCD last week. The familiar buzz of election fever was conspicuously absent as the new Union Council was democratically chosen by a largely uninterested student body. Despite a record number of runners, voting remained low, with many candidates elected uncontested and a high number of vacant seats. Historically, Class Rep elections have never generated the same hype as SU elections, and this year proved no exception. The two first year English Class Reps, for example, both ran uncontested, despite the huge number of students in the class. Likewise, despite the course attracting
over
two
hundred
students, Commerce Class Reps
year
Medicine
Candidates Responsibility
Indeed
there
was
Despite
© Dan Days 2010
www.thecollegetribune.net
8
|
Features
A Government Consistently Wrong on our Banking Crisis The Government’s response to our banking crisis has been characterized by a refusal to face up to the reality, writes David McManus Fundamentally, the failed bank
all of the liabilities of the banking
would not be taken into account in
health, the Swedish government re-privatised them and
highest in the EU. While other EU economies have
rescue policy of the government
system was a mistake, and the most
purchasing these loans.
actually made a profit.
moved towards recovery and reform of their banks, it
falls into three areas: the extensive
costly mistake ever made by the
It does not take a PhD in economics
The Irish government has instead opted for the Japanese
seems the Irish are still in rescue phase, exactly two years
bank guarantee given in September
State.
at this university to see the insanity
example of providing government support in a drip-
after the crisis started.
2008; the establishment of the
One of the main criticisms outlined
of overpaying for an asset.
drop fashion creating zombie banks that are, though
Large amounts of the final cost of €50 billion announced
National Asset Management Agency
by the new Central Bank governor,
It has been widely known for
alive, unable to lend, due to a shortage of capital.
on ‘Black Thursday’, to rescue the banks, will bail out
(NAMA); and the treatment of
Professor Patrick Honohan, in his
the past year that if NAMA was
Speaking to the College Tribune, Professor Karl Whelan
the banks’ senior bondholders.
the
These bondholders
banks’ bondholders. These
report, is the unnecessary move to
to pay the current market value
of the UCD Economics Department said there are
took a gamble by lending to Irish banks who, in turn,
three failures will mean a large
guarantee existing bonds already
for these loans, it would result in
“some examples of good practice with many countries
passed loans on that inflated the property bubble. It is the
but unnecessary cost to the Irish
made by banks, as these were, in
greater losses for the banks, wiping
recapitalising their banks quickly and restoring them
government’s refusal to play by the rules of capitalism,
taxpayer, while Irish banks remain
effect, locked in and wouldn’t
out shareholders’ equity and thus
to something approximating good health.... The Irish
in sharing the losses with these bondholders, that will
undercapitalised and unable to lend
require a guarantee. A shorter
requiring full nationalisation. The
government, however, has veered more towards the
make greater cuts and higher taxes necessary in order to
to borrowers.
guarantee, lasting 3 to 6 months,
government
‘slow boat to China’ approach to fixing the banks.”
save this nation from bankruptcy.
Professor
would have been more appropriate,
to calls for nationalisation with
It has been a recurring feature of the government’s
Students graduating from this university and others over
Morgan Kelly of this university
as this would have secured the
fallacious arguments that it would
banking strategy to underestimate the scale of financial
the next few years will not only be facing uncertain
wrote in the Irish Times about how
necessary short-term funding for
result in the Irish government
difficulty that has brought us to where we are now. Even
employment opportunities, and even emigration, but
the threat of large losses on loans
the banks, while also protecting
having difficulty in raising funds
the financial markets do not believe in the credibility of
for those who stay, large debts will have to be repaid
made to property developers could
the taxpayer from the banks’ past
on international markets, or that
the government’s plans, illustrated by the interest rates
in what is now the most expensive bank bailout in the
lead to some Irish banks becoming
reckless lending.
difficulties may arise in the future
which we must pay in order to borrow, now one of the
world.
insolvent and requiring government
A
rescue.
government’s enactment of a blanket
privatise the institutions.
This warning came only two
guarantee is their decision to ignore
A recurring defence by government
months after An Taoiseach Bertie
the advice offered by investment
officials is that NAMA has been
Ahern infamously commented on
bank Merrill Lynch. In documents
fully endorsed and supported by the
how he couldn’t understand how
available from the Committee on
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
those engaged in talking down the
Public Accounts, Merrill Lynch
and the European Central Bank.
economy didn’t commit suicide.
explained,
with
The IMF, in its 2009 economic
As economic growth continued
Minister Lenihan and Department
assessment report on Ireland, stated
to slow by the end of 2007, the
of Finance senior officials, that
that where large losses on loans
response by the government to
under stress tests, Anglo Irish Bank
render a bank undercapitalised or
any questioning of Ireland’s future
was insolvent, and the potential
insolvent, temporary nationalisation
economic prospects was that the
dangers that a blanket guarantee
should occur, and in Ireland’s case,
economy’s
could have for the taxpayer.
nationalisation can complement the
sound and that the housing market
Ireland’s NAMA was announced in
operations of NAMA, as it removes
was heading for a “soft landing”.
April 2009 on recommendations
the issue over how much is paid
This denial of Ireland’s pending
from
Dr.
for the loans. The ECB expressed
economic
continued
Peter Bacon. The agency, set up to
“careful consideration” in paying
until the summer of 2008, when the
cleanse the Irish banks of impaired
long-term economic value for
international credit crisis intensified.
loans made during the property
assets, rather than current market
This culminated in the decision,
bubble, has been roundly criticised
values, as it may involve making
on 30 September 2008, by the
by a large number of economists
undue premium payments to the
Irish government to guarantee the
in Ireland and abroad. A leading
banks. This is anything but an
liabilities of the Irish banking system
number of Irish economic and
endorsement.
for two years, in order to protect
finance academics signed an article
It has since been made public,
the liquidity of the banks. During
in The Irish Times, arguing that
under the Freedom of Information
the Dáil debate on the guarantee
nationalisation of the main banks
Act, that in the IMF’s opinion,
legislation,
Party
was necessary to protect the interests
NAMA would not achieve its main
opposed the guarantee in its entirety,
of the taxpayer from the risk of
objective of a significant increase
because of the potential exposure of
pricing loans transferred to NAMA.
in the lending of Irish banks to
the banks’ liabilities to the taxpayer.
If these bad assets sell in the future
the economy. This opinion was
Fine Gael supported the guarantee
for less than what the taxpayer paid
expressed to Brian Lenihan in April
but argued that the guarantee was
for them today, this will result in
2009, at the same time that NAMA
too broad regarding bank liabilities.
huge losses for the taxpayer.
was created. So before NAMA
Defending the introduction of the
The
guarantee, Minister for Finance
nationalisation
Brian Lenihan commented on how
NAMA grew stronger, as the
banks were undercapitalised.
it was “the cheapest bailout in the
government
its
Since the start of our banking crisis
world so far”.
pricing
involved
in September 2008, the government
At this time, Morgan Kelly appeared
paying a premium over the true
has refused to accept internationally
on RTE’s Prime Time and argued
current market value of the loans
accepted methods of fixing insolvent
that the Irish banks were facing a
it was acquiring, known as Long
banks, such as the Swedish example
problem of capitalisation, rather
Term Economic Value (LTEV).
of 1992. In contrast to the current
than simply a problem of liquidity.
Responding to questions in the
Irish solution, the Swedes forced
He also warned about the potential
Dail, Minister Lenihan stated that
their banks to accept the losses from
losses that could be facing the
NAMA would set a date to underlie
their bad loans, before moving in
taxpayer as a result of the guarantee.
the valuation method, this date
to take majority shareholdings in
In hindsight, it has since become
being 30 November 2009.
Any
the banks and recapitalising them.
clear that the decision to guarantee
decreases in property prices since
Once the banks had returned to
In
September
2007,
fundamentals
difficulties
the
Labour
were
further
indictment
in
of
meetings
economic
consultant
seeming
necessity to
responded
when the government wishes to re-
of
even got started, Brian Lenihan was
complement
aware it was doomed to fail, as the
admitted valuations
the
initially
that
www.thecollegetribune.net
October 12th 2010
The College Tribune
| 9
Palestine and its Supporters: The Facts Claudia Saba is a Palestinian committee member of the Irish Anti War Movement and a post graduate student in UCD. Response to a previous article by Cliona Campbell. On 23 September I gave a talk in
antisemitism in the Middle East
West Bank Palestinians and Gaza
borders in order to continue the
Israeli law. For further information,
4 November 2008, according to
UCD on the Israeli-Palestinian
than there is in Europe; let us
Palestinians. The two regions have
colonization of the West Bank
I
all sources, it was Israel that broke
conflict and the premises needed
remember that the Holocaust was
been kept physically separate by
through illegal settlements. If Israel
book Israeli Apartheid.
the ceasefire, and at that point, to
to resolve it. I described the current
not perpetrated by the Arabs.
the now infamous siege of Gaza
were truly interested in peace it
Therefore to speak of Palestinian
quote the official Israeli publication,
situation in Gaza and the West Bank,
Alongside the article is a picture of
(which is why a broad section
would not be demolishing homes
or Arab violence is absurd when
Hamas retaliated for the killing
and commented on how a solution
me and immediately below a picture
of Irish NGOs and individuals
and expelling Palestinians while
the occupying force, with its vastly
of 6 Palestinian militants. Israel
to the occupation of Palestine
of who (I take it) are Hezbollah
are currently preparing to send
moving in its own citizens to take
superior might, continues to kill,
responded with a military assault on
was intrinsically linked to the
or Hamas in sinister mode. I am
another aid ship to alleviate that
their place.
imprison, expel and discriminate
Gaza with killed 1400 Palestinians,
democratization of the surrounding
associated with this rather strange
desperate situation). This further
In the same way, Israel’s continued
against
including 300 children, and left
countries of the region, in particular,
photo with the implication that I
division of the Palestinian people
military attacks on the Palestinians is
Unless the international community
thousands injured and homeless.
Egypt - the most populous Arab
am part of some sort of demagogic
has made them an even easier target
irreconcilable with the talk of peace.
recognizes that Palestinian demands
Achieving
country in the Middle East. Overall,
caricature. Incidentally, the photo
for military and ideological attack.
Consider that since the beginning of
are a matter of binding international
uncovering the facts about the
I found the audience receptive,
has no caption or explanation,
The attacks range from accusations
2008 alone, 2000 Palestinians have
law and human rights, rather than
Israeli occupation, the systematic
well informed and willing to
making it a stereotypical portrayal
of the Palestinians not being able
been killed, compared to 60 Israelis.
political bargaining chips, there can
killing and ongoing expulsion of
engage. Therefore I was dismayed
of Muslim people.
to reach electoral consensus, to
Ten thousand Palestinians are held
be no peace. And as long as there is
Palestinians. The native people of
when I read the unfair article
I would like to say something about
the more outlandish vilification of
in Israeli jails, many of them minors,
no peace, violence will fill the void. the country must be accorded the
by Israeli army volunteer Cliona
my country of origin. For the last
Hamas as a terrorist organization.
compared to one Israeli soldier held
Regarding my own opinion of
same universal human rights as
Campbell, entitled “The Anti West
six decades the people of Palestine
The role played by Israel to prop
by Hamas.
Hamas, if they have anti women
anyone else. No one should feel
Movement”, which attempted to
have been scattered into forcibly
up Hamas in the 1980’s to counter
In the West Bank, a myriad of
or anti gay policies, I certainly do
intimidated for speaking out against
discredit my lecture. Campbell tells
disjointed
the nationalist movement of Fatah,
roads criss cross the West Bank
not agree with that. However, I
war and aggression, especially when
us that she has volunteered in the
and their descendants who live
which
more
for the exclusive use of Israelis.
do respect their right to defend
it is perpetrated by powerful state
Israeli armed forces; one cannot
stateless
challenging to its occupation at the
Palestinians are not allowed to travel
themselves against occupation and I
actors. It was that sentiment that led
but wonder if before signing up to
the Palestinians who hold Israeli
time, is conveniently omitted.
on these roads for the sole reason
recognize that they have been freely
me to give the talk in UCD in the
assist this army, she had considered
second class citizenship and live
Campbell’s
no
that they are not Jewish. The right
elected by the people of Palestine.
first place. We cannot allow fear of
that this is the same army which
within Israel’s 1948 borders, and the
mention of (1) the occupation
to build homes and institutions
As someone who is committed
vilification to silence us.
routinely
homes,
Palestinians who live in the sections
(2) the shockingly high number
is
for
to the principle of democracy, I
I believe that Campbell has not only
conducts arbitrary arrests and targets
of Palestine occupied in 1967,
of
and
Israelis while Palestinians must go
respect their democratic mandate.
misrepresented my opinions but has
civilians with live ammunition. It
formally referred to as the Occupied
imprisonments and (3) the apartheid
through a hoop-jumping process
The often repeated mantra about
also succumbed to the same kind
is an army which has injured and
Palestinian Territories (OPT). Since
nature of the Israeli state. Instead,
to obtain rarely-granted building
Israel’s attack on Gaza as having
of prejudice against Palestinians
sometimes
international
2006, following the democratic
our attention is shifted to supposed
permits. Israeli settlers are allocated
the aim of stopping Hamas rockets
that was the root cause of this
peace activists, such as the American,
election of Hamas and the US’s
terrorism and antisemitism.
three times more water than the
is incongruous with the facts. In
occupation. I therefore appeal to
Rachel Corrie. As for the country
attempt to isolate the movement to
This deliberate diversion aims to
Palestinians in an arid region
June of 2008, to quote the official
the reader to form a judgement
that this army serves, it is the same
Gaza whilst propping up the Fatah
draw off attention from matters
where water is scarce. These are
Israeli publication, Hamas entered
about this conflict based not on
country which illegally cloned
leadership, Palestinians in the OPT
such as the fact that Israel, to this
only some of the discriminatory
into a ceasefire with Israel and
defamatory articles, but on the facts
Irish passports, prompting minister
have been further fragmented into
day, refuses to declare its official
policies practiced and enshrined in
carefully kept that ceasefire. On
themselves.
demolishes
killed
Michael Martin to expel an official
groups: the outside
refugees
Israel/Palestine,
Israel
viewed
article
Palestinian
as
makes
deaths
an
automatic
privilege
recommend
the
Ben
native
White’s
population.
peace
begins
with
Turn to page 15 for more.
from the Israeli Embassy in June of this year. She makes much of Palestinian violence. I should remind readers that more than 7,400 people have been killed by Israeli-Palestinian violence over the last decade. The vast majority of the 7,454 killed were Palestinians, who accounted for 6,371 of the total, according to Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem. Of the Palestinian dead, 1,317 were minors. I should also like to remind readers that the Israeli Defense Forces that she is involved in has repeatedly
broken
international
law as, for example, was described by the United Nations fact-finding mission which concluded that a series of violations of international law were committed by the Israeli forces during the interception of an international aid flotilla to Gaza in June of this year. Campbell accuses me of tolerating antisemitism. Firstly, I would like to say that I abhor everything that happened to the Jewish people during the Holocaust and indeed my defense of the Palestinians is precisely based on my opposition to all forms of discrimination. Furthermore, there is no more
www.thecollegetribune.net
10
|
Features
Overheard in UCD Donie O’Sullivan
their reputation tarnished.
Donie O'Sullivan selects some of his favourite quotes from the popular Facebook page “Overheard in UCD” and shows just how bright a bunch the current population of UCD really are.
appeared on the screen, a boy was
“Oh! My! God! They have, like,
premier business school, The Quinn
so many books in here” – just the
School of Business – or can it?
reaction of one female student when
Quinn students know all about
walking into the UCD Library.
the value of money, like these two
Since
seemingly affluent males.
its
In a
lecture one day, when a badger
establishment
earlier
this year, the increasingly popular
heard inquisitively asking
“Do badgers actually exist?”, to which his friend confidently responded: “No, they're like unicorns”. But surely this ignorance couldn't possibly exist in the country's
Guy 1: Man, when we were out last night and I was falling asleep in the taxi, were you like throwing s**t at me? Guy 2: [In an offhand sort of way] Yeah! I think I f***ed a twenty at you! Guy 1: You’re a c**t when you’re drunk!
current. Only days after the Haitian
hopeful, called to her door and was
Facebook group with an ever-
Also in Quinn, students learn time
earthquake in January, cubicle walls
greeted in an unfriendly manner,
expanding membership. Students
management skills, leading one first
were littered with related jokes:
year girl to ask her lecturer:
“Just broke up with my Haitian girlfriend the other day... she's
particularly high concentration of
“Sorry, so how often do these Annual General Meetings take place?”
amusing statements coming from
But possibly the most valuable
the Newmann Building. Take for
thing Quinn students learn is
example one girl who, trying to get
the important trends in “foreign”
to know her foreign classmate a bit
markets: “Had to go to Tallaght for
better, asked:
my laptop ... everyone was, like,
“So, like, where is it that you used to live again?” to which the other girl replied “In Belgium”. The first girl then responded: “Oh my God, you're so lucky. I would love to have lived in South America!”
pregnant!”
Facebook group, “Overheard in UCD”, has become an online Mecca for documenting and enjoying many of the thousands of stupid statements made by UCD students on a daily basis. Created last January, the group has already attracted well over 7,000 members, surpassing its Trinity and University of Limerick “Overheard”
counterparts.
No
area of Belfield is omitted, and all members are invited to post any bizarre, strange, peculiar, odd or funny comments that they have overheard on campus. Although the page is full of utterances from all across UCD, Arts students have managed to live up to their stereotype, with a
Geography clearly is not a natural strong
point
for
these
young
scholars. A different girl (we hope) was overheard one day telling her friend: “I didn't know what Uganda was. I thought it was a concert or something”. But it’s not only the female Arts students that have had
The insightful writings on the walls and doors of the campus's toilet cubicles have also been a source of some very memorable lines. A passionate Republican, obviously believing the cause for a 32 county Republic, will be greatly encouraged by writing on the back of a cubicle door in the library, wrote “Free IRA POWs”.
crushed!”, and “I feel really bad for the people of Haiti, last time I had thirty aftershocks I couldn't find my house either” - which was accompanied with “It’s ok to laugh, they can’t hear you in here”. Keeping up to date with the
and Pink training,” to which his friend replied, “We don't have a TV “That's pure gay!” licence! Go away!”
One
still produces the best and brightest
could only imagine their disgust if
students who are not afraid to probe
they knew it had now been edited
the unknown.
to “Free IRA POWs in every box
The elections of our current UCD
of Coco Pops”. Or what about the
Students’ Union sabbatical officers
written instruction “Arts degree;
last March was clearly a priority
Please take one”, which appear
on every student's mind. However
above many toilet roll dispensers in
election hysteria did manage to
the Arts Block.
escape the attention of one on-
What is impressive about the
campus resident, when John Logue,
writings is their ability to remain
Vice-President
for
Education
aware that their proclamations may
Although anonymity is an important
debate, they realised that in politics,
become a topic of discussion on the
aspect of Overheard in UCD, and
image is everything. Take the two
page, and no doubt many of them
those who are being quoted are
girls walking along the concourse
are living with the fear that previous
rarely named and shamed, many of
observing posters of the all-male
comments may come back to haunt
the statements clearly come from
menu of candidates. One remarked
them. The site is probably one of
students who would stereotypically
to the other:
the most accurate insights into the
be perceived to be “D4”. However
microcosm that is UCD.
country folk do not completely
To further add to this unique
escape the always open ears of the
insight, I will conclude with my
Overheard in UCD contributors.
favourite brief discussion that was
Take the two young country men
overheard in this concrete jungle.
who had left the safe confines of
Girl 1: Did you sleep with him? Girl 2: Oh no!! [With horror] Girl 1: Then what did you do? Girl 2: I just had sex with him, then left [she happily replied reassuringly].
“Look at these, not them is something UCD students one of them is good do well. Being inquisitive is looking!”, to which an important characteristic in Pat De Brún (then academia, and questions like “I wonder how many a candidate) walking pigeons it would take behind them interjected: “Sorry about that.” to lift a car?” corridor) is a reassertion that UCD
stupid comment are now becoming
But for those who did engage in the
happenings of the world around
(overheard in the Student Union
who are prone to the occasional
But the real issues were discussed, perhaps in the most unlikely of places – the Arts Block. Two guys walking to a lecture were overheard conversing about what was most relevant to them.
“Apparently one of the campaigns and communications candidates wants to get rid of Rainbow Week
the Ag Science building and were waiting at the number 10 bus stop to take a trip into the heart of the “Big Smoke”. Looking at a tractor on the Merville GAA pitch one turns to the other and asks, “Is she a 1360 or a 1380?” His friend replies “Hold on and I'll take a gander”, before proceeding to walk across the road. On his return he proudly stated, “Ah he's a 1360, some pulling in her I say.”
Both continued
to watch the movements of the
The future is bright.
tractor in amazement until their bus arrived. Overheard in UCD is sure to continue as a successful, popular
www.thecollegetribune.net
BMW – SAAB engine deal. BMW deal. – SAAB engine deal. BMW – SAAB engine
Saab Automobile has signed an agreement with BMW AG to purchase engines for Saab hasitssigned an agreement with AG tofor purchase Saab Automobile hasAutomobile signed an agreement with BMW AGnew to purchase engines use in range cars. The 1.6 BMW turbo charged petrol engines enginesfor will be used in The Tribune its range cars. The new turbo charged engines used in spawns from use in itsCollege rangeuse cars.in The newthe 1.6 turbo charged petrol engines will be used in Audiwill new Saab 9-11.6 super mini, set topetrol rival the A1.be The deal the new Saab 9-1 set rival the Audi A1. The deal spawns thesuper new mini, Saabplans 9-1tosuper mini, set to rival the Audi A1.from The spawns fromin order to raise by BMW’s CEO, Norbert Reithofer, to deal sell components plans by BMW’splans CEO, by Norbert Reithofer, tothe sellGerman components order towere raise looking BMW’s CEO, Norbert Reithofer, toinsell components in order to raise revenue for firm. Things bleak for Saab until Dutch revenue for therevenue German for firm. Things were looking bleak for Saab untilbleak Dutch the German firm. Things were looking for to Saab until Dutch supercar manufacturer, Spyker, signed a deal purchase the company from the supercar manufacturer, signed a Spyker, deal to purchase company from the the company from the supercarSpyker, manufacturer, signed athe deal to purchase debt ridden General Motors corporation. debt ridden General Motors corporation. debt ridden General Motors corporation.
Motor News in Brief Jeremy O’Hanlon
BMW – SAAB engine deal. Saab Automobile has signed an agreement with BMW AG to purchase engines for use in its range cars. The new 1.6 turbo
October 12th 2010
| 11
Banger of the Week
charged petrol engines will be used in the new Saab 9-1 super mini, set to rival the Audi A1. The deal spawns from plans by BMW’s CEO, Norbert Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Jetta Reithofer, to sell components in order to raise revenue for the German firm. Volkswagen Jetta VW’s popular compact saloon, the Jetta, will be replaced with the new model Things were looking bleak for Saab until Dutch supercar manufacturer, next year. The car is following VW’spopular latest design trend, seen the new Golf, compact saloon, the Jetta, will bethe replaced with the new model VW’s popularVW’s compact saloon, the Jetta, willon be replaced with new model Spyker, a deal tonew purchase company from the debtdesign ridden General Polo andsigned Touareg. The models is acar much-needed improvement on next year. The is following VW’strend, latestseen design trend, next year. The carthe isdesign following VW’s latest on the newseen Golf,on the new Golf, the previous Jetta, essentially resembled a Golf with boot. Powering theaimprovement Polo and Touareg. Thedesign newamodels design is much-neededon improvement on Motors corporation. Polowhich and Touareg. The new models is a much-needed new Jetta is a range of advanced petrol and diesel forced induction engines. New the previous Jetta, which essentially resembled a Golf with a boot. the previous Jetta, which essentially resembled a Golf with a boot. Powering the Powering the to the Jetta is the 1.2-litre TSI engine producing 105 PS, while the twincharged Jetta is a rangepetrol of advanced petrol andinduction diesel forced induction new Jetta is anew range of advanced and diesel forced engines. New engines. New 1.4-litre TSI 160 PS engine, mixing performance and economy, is added to the to theTSI Jetta the 1.2-litre 105producing PS, while the to the Jetta isTSI the 1.2-litre TSI engine 105twincharged PS, while the twincharged range. The 1.4-litre 122isPS and 2.0-litre TSIengine 200 PSproducing continue unchanged. 1.4-litre 160 PSTDI engine, mixing and economy, added to the is added to the 1.4-litre TSI PS engine, mixing performance and economy, Diesel options consist ofTSI a 1.6-litre 105160 PS and a performance 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS engine. is VW’s popularrange. compact theTSI Jetta, will and be TSI replaced with the new Thesaloon, 1.4-litre 122 2.0-litre TSI 200 PS continue unchanged. range. The 1.4-litre 122 PS and 2.0-litre TSI 200 PS continue unchanged. Start-stop technology will also be featured in PS the range.
Ford Focus ST - Official Photos
that registration plate!) before you find yourself occasionally sitting behind
Volkswagen Jetta of Ford’s brand new 247 bhp have been released. The brand new Official pictures although with that beautiful rear tofind lookyourself at, it might not be sositting bad! behind that registration plate!) before you occasionally
version of the Hot Hatch is aimed for an early 2012 global release. Based on the although with that beautiful rear to look at, it might not be so bad! all-new focus, the ST will feature Ford’s 2.0 litre EcoBoost engine in a high state of tune. This new engine replaces the Volvo-sourced 2.5 litre, five cylinder turbo engine, previously used in Ford’s Hot Hatches. The new ST, finished in ‘tangerine scream’ in the photos, will take on the usual suspects – the VW Golf GTI, Opel Astra OPC and the Renault Mégane 250. Unlike previous generations, the ST will not be offered as a three-door. We want to share some of UCD’s finest bangers.
Diesel consist of a 1.6-litre TDI PSseen andTDI a 2.0-litre PS engine. model next year. Theoptions car is following VW’s latest design trend, on the PS TDI Diesel options consist of a105 1.6-litre 105 and 140 a 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS engine. Start-stop technology will also be featured in be thefeatured range. in the range. Start-stop willisalso new Golf, Polo and Touareg. The newtechnology models design a much-needed
improvement on the previous Jetta, which essentially resembled a Golf with a boot. Powering the new Jetta is a range of advanced petrol and diesel forced induction engines. New to the Jetta is the 1.2-litre TSI engine producing 105 PS, while the twincharged 1.4-litre TSI 160 PS engine, mixing performance and economy, is added to the range. The 1.4-litre Ford122 Focus ST 2.0-litre - Official Photos TSI PS and TSI 200 PS continue unchanged. Diesel options
If you see any wrecks parked on campus, send a photo to collegetribune@gmail.com
What’s New? The Volvo S60
A sporty Volvo you say? consist of a 1.6-litre TDI 105 PS and a 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS engine. StartAs many Official pictures of Ford’s brand new 247 bhp have been released. The brand new marketing execs have learned over the years, sex sells, and while version of the Hot aimed for an range. early 2012 global release. Basedyou on the stop technology willHatch also beisfeatured in the can’t exactly make a car sexy, you can make it sporty, which essentially all-new focus, the ST will feature Ford’s 2.0 litre EcoBoost engine in a high state translates as the same thing in the auto world. As a result, the people at Volvo of tune. This new engine replaces the Volvo-sourced 2.5 litre, five cylinder turbo have launched a brand new car playing on that exact principle. The all-new engine, previously used in Ford’s Hot Hatches. The new ST, finished in ‘tangerine scream’ in the photos, will take on the usual suspects – the VW Golf GTI, Opel Volvo S60, currently on the Irish roads, has been set the task of taking on the Official pictures of Ford’s brand new 247 bhpUnlike have been released. The brand the ST will Astra OPC and the Renault Mégane 250. previous generations, big boys, a.k.a. the Germans. The S60 has been downsized from the previous not be offered three-door. new version of as thea Hot Hatch is aimed for an early 2012 global release. generation in order to squeeze into the highly competitive compact exec Based on the all-new focus, the ST will feature Ford’s 2.0 litre EcoBoost market, which is dominated by the Audi A4, BMW 3-series and
Ford Focus ST - Official Photos
Mercedes C-class. There’s no denying the Volvo is a head turner, especially compared with the previous generation of taxman-style Volvos, but the competition are certainly no ugly pack. Even still, with its muscular stance and swooping lines it is, at
BMW 5-Series M-Sport engine in a high state of tune. This new engine replaces the Volvo-sourced
the very least, enough of a looker to park up next to its rivals and not leave the owner regretting the purchase decision. And even though Volvo managed to pick possibly the worst colour in the range, titled ‘Vibrant Copper’ (the design
The long awaited M-sport version of the studios brand new BMW F10 5-Series is set to must have been abundant with copper piping in order for such a The new ST, finished in ‘tangerine scream’ in the photos, will take on terrible colour choicesucceeded to enter their heads)with for their S60 marketing campaign, hitusual the roads. The past generation 5-series M-sport high sales, the suspects – the VW Golf GTI, Opel Astra OPC and the Renault BMW 5-Series M-Sport I have seen it in black a set ofbuyers. 18’s, The giving execthesaloon favoured bywith younger Mégane 250.the Unlikepopular previous generations, ST will not a be sporty offered as a appeal, The long awaited M-sport version of the brand new BMW F10 5-Series is set to three-door. it isinterior a stunner.with sports seats, and also package adds a more aggressive body kit& and hit the roads. The past generation 5-series M-sport succeeded with high sales, giving the popular exec saloon a sporty appeal, favoured by younger buyers. The Volvo has been smart with the engines on offer also. The main version you comes alteredbody suspension handling and driving dynamics. The M-sport package addswith a more aggressive kit and interior with sports seats, and will also be seeing on Irish roads is the all new 2.0l five-cylinder turbo diesel comes with5-Series altered suspension handling and driving dynamics. The M-sport BMW M-Sport package will bewithantheoption with the5 series 520d,engine the titled most common inofIreland, ‘D3’. This new engine 5 has series a power rating 163 bhp and can package be an option version the most common The long will awaited M-sport of520d, the brand new BMW F10 5-Seriesin Ireland, due to its mix of performance, economy and the ability to avail of a €156 annual return 5.3l/100 km. Furthermore, due to the Irish fixation on road tax, it due mixTheofpastperformance, economy is set tax. toto hit its the roads. generation 5-series M-sport succeeded and the ability to avail of a €156 annual road should be the top seller, as it avails of the low Band B road tax which is just €156 annually. with high tax. sales, giving the popular exec saloon a sporty appeal, favoured road The real star in the range though is the twin-turbo 2.4l 5-cylinder diesel, which throws out 205 horses and a nice 420nm of torque. This engine, titled ‘D5’, 2.5 litre, five cylinder turbo engine, previously used in Ford’s Hot Hatches.
by younger buyers. The package adds a more aggressive body kit and interior with sports seats, and also comes with altered suspension handling
and driving dynamics. The M-sport package will be an option with the 520d, the most common 5 series in Ireland, due to its mix of performance, economy and the ability to avail of a €156 annual road tax.
will get you to 100km/ph in less than 8 seconds. Also in the range is a 300bhp 3.0l turbo petrol model. Don’t expect to see any of those around though. A 1.6 diesel engine will also be on offer next year and a range of smaller turbo petrol engines named GTDI. A big selling point for this car is its pedestrian detection system. Basically the system detects pedestrians if they walk out in front of you and applies the brakes at low speeds. While this system is certainly innovative, I’m not sold on it, as during marketing tests, it’s proven to be less than fully reliable and has fallen under a bit of criticism, not to mention the fact that it costs over €1500 as an option. For that kind of money, you’re not far off upgrading to a leather interior, which you will have to pay for, as it only comes standard on the top spec SE LUX trim. Volvo undercuts the competition with price, as you can get into a brand new S60 for €32,250 at S spec. But if you want the leather and other additions, you’ll be paying almost €40k for a D3 SE LUX model. With the new 5-Series starting at €41,750, coming with a bunch of gizmos, leather as standard, and a more powerful engine, you’d want to really appreciate the difference to fork out for the Swedish Volvo. I genuinely like a lot about this car, and hats off to Volvo for bringing out something the college student might aspire to owning in place of one of the German offerings, but I don’t know how many people will be buying one come crunch time. It will be very interesting to see how the Irish public reacts to this car, and if it will make some people break their buying habits. Odds are that it will be January (Ireland’s new car season – got to get the most out of that registration plate!) before you find yourself occasionally sitting behind one in traffic - although with that beautiful rear to look at, it might not be so bad!
www.thecollegetribune.net
12
|
Features
Trust the Poster Michael Phoenix
Robbins-gate has rocked UCD’s society world, but the Lawsoc scandal brings to the fore an issue that has affected the college for years. Michael Phoenix asks if false advertising by societies has become something we should expect. Lawsoc,
UCD’s
largest
and
events advertised have so little to
year Arts student explained to me,
do with student participation? Why
“Some societies don’t take a fee and
are they at the fore of society life?
if they do, it’s because they need
Should it not be student based
money for equipment – it’s not an
events, organised by the societies’
attempt to make a profit but an
leadership
attempt to improve the society for
contribution of its members, that
all its members. The larger societies
are promoted and delivered by
say they are going to do all this fun
UCD’s societies?
stuff but really it’s only to make
It is possible that this could not work
money.” Perhaps these societies
in practice, at least at the moment,
have lost touch with their original
but if so, maybe it is because
purpose.
students are so used to promises of
One of the purposes of college
this kind failing to come to fruition.
societies is to provide a service to
Has an acceptance by the students
students – some would even say
of the failure of UCD’s societies
that is the society’s main purpose.
to adhere to their wishes created a
On the basis of these comments,
condition under which there exists
that is not the case with many
no real trust between societies and
of UCD’s societies. In reality it
the student body? If that is the
seems these societies are there to
case, then the problem at hand is
serve the leaders within them, false
much graver than just one of false
advertising presumably one means
advertising.
by which this is done. I put this
What then would be the remedy
point to L&H Auditor Niall Fahy,
for such an ailment? Societies will
who suggested that in most cases,
only invest in the enthusiasm of
things were outside of the society’s
the student body if they feel it will
hands.
allow the society to thrive – and
“I really don’t think societies are in
I mean that in a sense of spirit, as
the business of deliberately falsely
opposed to a healthy spreadsheet.
but
reliant
on
the
advertising, or that they don’t
This can only become the case if
Why do societies appear to care so
take due care when organising an
students feel like they are part of
claim to have had a run in with.
when we become a member with
little for their members after they
event, it is usually that the event
something real and tangible when
One first year student explained her
the larger societies, what we really
join? What is presented as personal
just doesn’t work out. There are
they enter into a society. Instead of
experience to me.
become is a number – interest in the
and approachable may, for many,
deadlines. A call has to be made as
becoming a number on a screen,
“In the Freshers’ Tent they had
individual ceases. At least that was
become aloof and impersonal – a
to whether the event is going to be
they must become a crucial part of
huge posters advertising celebrities.
the case for Collette, a second year
ghostly hierarchy, comprised of
promoted.”
the whole machine. That is the first
There was one tiny piece of paper
Arts student. “A society said I could
personal connections and one-
“Often it is the case that guests pull
step that should be taken, if change
saying one of them couldn’t come.
get involved in the committee and
upmanship, only traceable through
out at the last minute, and there is
is indeed needed.
They had huge posters and one tiny
I didn’t get one email from them.
the posters it leaves in its wake. The
really nothing you can do about
As the testimony of the students I
piece of paper – SORRY FOR
This year I was more selective, only
promises appear to reveal themselves
that, when they have told us that
spoke to proves, false advertising - in
YOUR INCONVENIENCE.”
joining the societies I knew were
as hollow. One third year student
they are going to be coming to
all its forms - is a feature of many
voiced their opinion on the matter.
the debate – for example. I don’t
societies in UCD, and they know
“There is no personal society, it’s
think any society advertises without
it. However, it does not need to be.
about who gets the most numbers
absolute confirmation.”
The trust between societies and the
– the most money.You get drawn in
What Fahy says undoubtedly has
student body may have been eroded,
and it’s a vicious circle because you
validity and, in many instances, it will
but the process can be reversed –
join anyway for fear of being left
be the case that societies are honest.
this is not global warming! It will
out in the cold.”
were forced into a national apology
Freshers’ Tent.
following the non-appearance of
according to one third year student,
Tim Robbins at our very own Astra
“the vicious cycle begins.” Here,
Hall last month. While personal
the societies compete against each
criticism
That’s
where,
the
other for numbers through several
society’s auditor, this is simply the
methods - freebies, damn attractive
most publicised instance of regular
stand
upon
larger of UCD’s societies. A second
So what happens next? It seems that
potentially most influential society,
fallen
from their members. Why do the
by societies which many students
It nearly always begins at the
has
to be directed almost entirely at the
“The vicious cycle begins at the Freshers tent”
Perhaps then the phenomenon of
only take a reinvestment from the
promises.
active. The bigger societies already
When pressed upon why the
false advertising has more to it than
societies in the ability of the students
behaviour carried out by many of
Events,
appearances,
have their cliques and despite what
societies chose to follow this hollow
no-showing celebrities – it cannot
to become their own attraction – to
UCD’s societies. Lawsoc and other
society nights out, a ready-made
they say, it’s very hard for new
road, the students I spoke to revealed
be explained away by the nature
be the key speaker at the debate; to
well populated societies have the
pool of friends, the chance to get
members to get involved.”
one key theme – money.
of external variables. Yes, guest
be the teacher at the workshop; to
resources and manpower to become
involved, to be on the committee, to
The problem is not limited to the
“Any event is just a normal night
appearances are unreliable, but why
be the band at the gig.
a hugely positive influence within
become an insider. As one first year
larger societies, however, as another
out – they have it in a venue to
are societies relying on guests to
Societies will always be a part
campus life, and yet this, it seems,
student put it, “They literally grab
student tells us. “I was told about all
make money, the societies use
propel their society forward?
of college life, as they should be.
is the route they feel they need to
you – join our society! We’ll give
these tutorials with one society that
people. They say it’s easy to get
Perhaps the real issue lies in the
However, they must remember, they
take - why?
you a loaf of bread! They want as
were going to happen – I can count
involved, but it’s all a clique – you
ethos behind the societies. Perhaps
are nothing without their members.
False advertising is the basis of a great
many names as possible.” And so we
on one hand how many of them
have to know someone.”
false advertising is merely a product
deal of off-putting wrongdoing
sign up - hand over our two euro.
went ahead.”
However, the students’ anger seemed
of the detachment societies have
attendees, celebrity
and
www.thecollegetribune.net
October 12th 2010
The College Tribune
| 13
Gaeilge Iarthar is Oirthear: Oireann Aontas don Iar-Ghearmáin Ciarán Ó Braonáin Ag tús na míosa seo comóradh fiche bliain d’athaontú na Gearmáine. Chualamar na sluaite polaiteoirí, sean-naimhde ón dá thaobh den Chuirtín Iarainn ina measc, ag iarraidh an ceann is fearr a fháil ar a chéile lena mbriathra deisbhéalacha ag moladh an éachta. Cor cinniúna i stair an chéid seo caite ab ea an tríú lá de mhí Dheireadh Fómhair 1990. Ar an lá cinniúnach sin tháinig deireadh le ré an chumannachais i gcroílár na hEorpa, fógraíodh deireadh an Chogaidh Fhuair agus saolaíodh Eoraip an lae inniu.Ach, in ainneoin na n-íomhánna ceiliúrtha a chonaiceamar go flúirseach ar an teilifís, is cosúil nach raibh gach éinne faoin spéir dealraithe ag tinte ealaíne ar bís faoin ócáid. De réir na meán Gearmánacha níl cúrsaí sa tír chomh haontaithe sin ar chor ar bith. Próiseas an-chasta agus an-mhall a bhí i gceist le comhaontú shochaí Phoblacht Dhaonlathach na Gearmáine (DDR) agus Phoblacht Chónaidhme na Gearmáine (FDR), próiseas nach bhfuil críochnaithe go fóill. Ceann de na fadhbanna ba dhualaí a bhí ann ag an tús ná conas dul i ngleic le leagáid fhórsa póilíní rúnda an stáit chumannaigh. Leagáid an chlaonpháirteachais, na cealgaireachta agus an chúlchoimhéadta a bhí fágtha taobh thiar ag na Stasi, rud a d’fhág smál ar mhuintearas an phobail. Bhunaigh an Ghearmáin roinn stáit úrnua, Roinn Doiciméad Seirbhíse Slándála Stáit an IarDDR, chun ord agus eagar a chur ar an bpróiseas pianmhar seo. Is é sin an rud a bhí ag teastáil uathu, dar leo, chun deireadh Gearmánach a chur le deachtóireacht a tógadh i múnla Gearmánach. Bhí díospóireachtaí agus tuairimí casta doimhne faoi chaibidil i measc mhuintir an oirthir le fada an lá, rud nach raibh na hiartharaigh in ann a thuiscint, toisc nach raibh taithí acu ar shaol faoi dheachtóireacht chumannach. Cé go raibh na hoirthearaigh ag iarraidh an dlí a chur ar lucht na Stasi agus ar na boic mhóra chumannacha agus iad a bhaint ón gcóras rialtais, bhí ar an ngnáthphobal iad féin a iniúchadh ag an am céanna. Bhí streachailt inmheánach ar siúl chomh maith leis an gceann poiblí agus muintir an oirthir sa
tóir ar cheartas agus díoltas, is lena bhféinionannas a choimeád slán. Gan amhras ar bith, an chonstaic ba mhó a bhí le sárú ná an chodarsnacht idir an dá gheilleagar. Bhí difríocht ollmhór idir luach na n-airgeadraí, leibhéil na bpraghsanna agus céimeanna iomaíochta an dá thaobh. Dream amháin suite i saormhargadh caipitleach agus dream eile i margadh dúnta, stiúrtha go neamhleithscéalach ag stát cumannach. Go dtí seo tá os cionn 1.5 trilliún euro caite ag an iarthar ar aththógáil an oirthir. Ar an drochuair, in ainneoin an ollchaiteachais seo tharla dí-tionsclú millteanach ar an oirthear i rith na mblianta agus cailleadh na milliúin post. Dá bharr, chuaigh timpeall 2 mhilliún oirthearach ar imirce sna blianta i ndiaidh thitim an Bhalla-ba é an t-aos óg an dream ba mhó imirce. Tá sé deacair don saol lasmuigh den Ghearmáin leibhéal an easaontais sa tír a shamhlú. Ní beag an rud é go bhfuil, gan ach fiche bliain caite acu mar aon tír amháin, an Ghearmáin ar ais mar mhórchumhacht dhomhanda, leis an ngeilleagar is treise san Aontas Eorpach. Ach, taobh thiar den íomhá láidir atá acu go hidirnáisiúnta tá siad fós ag streachailt le deacrachtaí an athaontaithe. Tá rátaí dífhostaíochta an oirthir dhá oiread níos mó ná rátaí an iarthair. Tá mean-ioncaim teaghlaigh thoir beagnach leath an mhéid atá ag a gcomharsana, agus cé go raibh cuma an phobail aontaithe orthu, báite i mórtas náisiúnta agus iad ag láimhseáil Corn Domhanda na bliana 2006, léirigh figiúirí phobalbhreitheanna le déanaí malairt scéil. Is iad na torthaí is dochreidte uathu ná nach mothaíonn ach ceathrú den oirthear gurb aon phobal Gearmánach amháin iad agus go mb’fhearr le duine as gach trí oirthearach déag go mbeadh an Balla fós ann! Níl dabht ar bith go bhfuil an scéal ag feabhsú de réir a chéile agus go bhfuil tromlach na Gearmáine ar son an athaontaithe. Sin ráite, le lucht an iarthair ag éirí níos míshásta lá i ndiaidh lae le leanúnachas na ‘cánach dlúthpháirtíochta’ agus lucht an oirthir ag mothú mar shaoránaigh den dara aicme is léir nach mbeidh na ‘Ossies’ agus na ‘Wessies’ ina ndlúthchairde ar feadh tamaillín eile fós.
Aiste Bia gan a bheith Aisteach Croíbhriste ag an mBancbhriseadh Jack Ó Leocháin
Ben Ó Lógáin Is ionann aiste nó réimse bia ceart
n-itheann tú do bhricfeasta. Sin
Tá an tír seo bancbhriste ag na
ár mbreithiúnais.
agus duine a bheith sláintiúil. Ní
comhairle a mbainfidh tú tairbhe as,
bainc. Níl ionainn ach mic léinn
Ar nós páistí, bhí gach rud uainn
fhéadfainn a shéanadh go bhfuil
gan dabht.
óga ach beidh ár gcuid páistí agus a
láithreach
mórán daoine ann a fheidhmíonn
Tá sé an-tábhachtach freisin go
gcuid páistí siúd ag íoc as na botúin
bóithre, córas sláinte, scoileanna is
maith go leor ar thrí nó ceithre
n-itear béile folláin i rith an lae,
a rinneadh ach cé a rinne iad?
araile. Ag an am céanna, bhíomar ag
chupán caife in aghaidh an lae agus
sé sin an lón. (Na caiteoirí tobac
Is na bainc a thug an ‘saibhreas’
lorg breis luacha ar ár gcuid tithe,
slisín arán anseo agus ansiúd. Ar
in bhur measc, cuimhnigh air
dúinn sa chéad áit agus le tamall
ag ísliú an ráta cánach agus ag cur
ndóigh, is olc an mhaise é sin don
sin.) Is amhail le hinneall é corp
anuas tá dearmad déanta air sin.
Fianna Fáil ar ais i gcumhacht faoi
tsláinte. Táim féin ag staidéar ‘cothú
an duine - caithfimid an breosla
Ach an saibhreas a bhí ann ar chor
dhó.
daonna’ ar an ollscoil anseo is ba
ceart a chur ionainn. Mholfainn
ar bith?
An rud is suimiúla faoin gcliseadh
mhaith liom nod nó dhó a riar ar
bia le próitéin éigin ann. Is doiligh
Ní hé go raibh milliún Euro ag
ná go bhfuil sé soiléir dúinn anois
mhic léinn na hollscoile i gcoitinne.
feoil nó uibheacha agus sailéid a
duine chun teach a cheannach,
go bhfuil rialtas in ann polasaithe
Is daoine eolacha sibh go léir, mar
bhualadh. Dhéanfadh rolla aráin le
bhí banc sásta an t-airgead sin a
a athrú go tapa agus iad a chur i
sin is leor an nod seo thíos daoibh.
sicín agus leitís an beart. Cén fáth
thabhairt. Bhí saibhreas againn ar
gcrích nuair is gá. Mar shampla,
Ba mhaith liom a shoiléiriú i
a bhfuil sé seo chomh sláintiúil sin,
iasacht ó na bainc agus ag am éigin,
cuireadh an dlí a rialaíonn an
dtosach nach bhfuilim chun sibh
a fhiafraíonn tú. Bhuel, cothaíonn
bheadh orainn an iasacht sin a aisíoc.
Ghníomhaireacht
a bhodhrú le liosta de rialacha
próitéiní neart den hormón leptin.
Ar feadh i bhfad, bhí airgead saor,
Bhainistíochta
scanrúla agus staitisticí tura. Tuigim
Bualann ár gcara, leptin, bob orainn,
ró-shaor. Is ait an ráiteas sin ach sin
bhfeidhm go gasta agus chaitheamar
go maith go bhfuil buiséad teoranta
i ndáiríre. Nuair a scaoiltear an
mar a bhí sé timpeall an domhain.
€50,000,000,000 ar tharrtháil na
againn agus gur gá dúinn ár
hormón seo sa chorp, ceapann muid
I Meiriceá, agus in Éirinn, bhí na
mbanc le dhá bhliain anuas.
n-airgead a chaitheamh dá réir. Níl
go bhfuil ár sáith ite againn. Anuas
bainc ag tabhairt airgid do dhaoine
Ag tús na bliana seo, bhí Cowen
aon cheist ach oiread go mbíonn an
air sin, aimsítear neart vitimíní agus
nach mbeadh in ann é a íoc ar ais
agus a fhoireann á mholadh ag
chuid is mó dínn ag caitheamh siar
mianraí i sailéid – tá neart vitamin C
ach ba chuma agus an t-airgead saor.
pobal na cruinne as ucht a bheith
na bpiontaí le linn na seachtaine. Tá
i bpiobair agus tá lypodene i dtrátaí.
Thit rátaí úis na hEorpa agus
ag déileáil leis an bhfadhb go
sé i gceist agam mar sin a rá conas is
Is mianra é seo a chabhraíonn linn
Banc Lárnach na hEorpa (BLE) ag
mear. I gcomparáid le tíortha eile,
fearr a chealaítear deasca an óil.
ailse a sheachaint.
déanamh iarrachta an ollchumhacht
ghearramar níos doimhne agus
I dtosach báire, mholfainn do gach
Don dinnéar, d’íosfainn glasraí nó
eacnamaíochta
Ghearmánach
níos tapúla. Agus i mbealaí, bhí sin
duine bricfeasta ceart a ithe ar
sailéid arís le foinse stáirse éigin
a dhúiseacht. Mar aon le haon
níos éasca in Éirinn, ní oibreodh
maidin.Tá an chomhairle seo chomh
i.e. rís dhonn, prátaí, pasta. Bheadh
mhargadh, nuair atá costais íseal,
spreagadh eacnamaíochta, an cur
sean leis an gceo, ach ní fhéadfaí
feoil nó iasc (m.sh Donegal Catch)
titeann an praghas agus sin a tharla
chuige Céinseach, toisc go raibh
comhairle níos fearr a thabhairt.
agam chomh maith. Más duine
d’airgead. Aisteach go leor, nuair
an iomarca d’ár ndaonra ag obair sa
Níl foinse fuinnimh ar bith eile
gníomhach thú nó má tá níos mó
a d’ardaigh an t-éileamh, thit an
rannóg tógála ar aon nós.
ag an inchinn seachas glúcós a
iarainn ag teastáil uait i d’aiste bia,
praghas arís.
Faoin am seo áfach, tá an fhírinne
fhaightear ó charbaihiodráití. Is
diurnaigh gloine sú torthaí le do
D’oir an polasaí sin don gheilleagar
soiléir, níl an rialtas ná muintir
fearr arbhar slánghráin agus arán
dhinnéar i.e. sú oráiste. An fhoinse
is mó i gclub an Euro ach a mhalairt
na hÉireann ag stiúradh na tíre a
donn a thabharfadh foinse fuinnimh
is fearr don iarann is ea feoil dhearg.
a bhí ag teastáil in Éirinn. Dá
thuilleadh. Tugtar uimhir dúinn
ama
I ndeireadh na dála, is fúinn féin
mbeadh an Punt againn, seans an-
gach aon bhliain ag na margaí
fada duit seachas slisín arán bán a
atá sé bia ceart a ithe. Má leannan
mhaith nach mbeadh an chraic seo
nó ag an gCoimisiún Eorpach.
d’imeodh amach as do shruth fola
tú an cúpla treoir thuasluaite,
leis an tógáil tar éis tarlú. Sea, tá sé
Seasann uimhir na bliana seo ag
chomh tapa is a tháinig sé isteach.
geallaimse duit go mothóidh tú
ceart a rá go raibh an domhan ar fad
€4,000,000,000. Tá an méid seo le
Píosa comhairle chríonna eile - má
níos fearr agus go mbeidh níos mó
tógtha leis an tógáil ag an am ach dá
gearradh ó chaiteachas stáit 2011.
tá meitibileacht (an ráta ag a ndóitear
fuinnimh agat. Anuas air sin, beidh
mbeimis neamhspleách, ní bheadh
An t-aon chuid den rialú atá ar
fuinneamh nó calraí sa chorp) níos
cuma níos sláintiúla agus níos fearr
ár mBanc Lárnach ag déanamh
siúl ag ár rialtas na laethanta seo ná
éifeachtaí uait, ól pionta uisce sula
ort.
neamhairde.
foinsí na huimhreach seo a roghnú.
Ar an lámh eile, bheimis tar éis fás
Mar fhreagra air seo, tá muintir na
i bhfad níos moille. Mar shampla,
hÉireann ag filleadh ar an tsaint arís
tá níos mó airgid ag muintir na tíre
ag rá linn féin nach bhfuil an milleán
seo, murab ionann agus an stát féin,
orainn. Tá agus bhí an milleán
ná mar a bhí sa bhliain 2000.
orainn, táimid in ár gcónaí i dtír
Deirtear arís agus arís eile gur
dhaonlathach le páirtithe ina raibh,
gá do pholasaí eacnamaíochta a
nach mór, na polasaithe céanna le
bheith
ach
roinnt blianta anuas. Muidne a lorg
níor éisteamar anseo, bhí an Tíogar
an caiteachas, agus anois is muidne a
Ceilteach againn, nár chuala an
bheidh ag íoc as..
leanúnach
thar
tréimhse
frith-thimthriallach,
lenár
n-airgead
Náisiúnta Sócmhainní
nua:
um i
Eoraip seo? Bhí an t-airgead ag sruthlú síos na sráideanna, tríd ár bhfuil agus, is léir anois, ag lobhadh
www.thecollegetribune.net
Pat de Brún
Scott Ahearn
Paul Lynam
Jonny Cosgrove
James Williamson
Campaigns & Communications
Welfare
President
Ents
Education
E: president@ucdsu.ie P: 01 7163110
www.ucdents.com E: jonny@ucdents.com P: (01)-716 3113
E: campaigns@ucdsu.ie P: 01 7163122
E: welfare@ucdsu.ie P: 01 7163112
E: education@ucdsu.ie P: (01)-716 3111
UCD SU LOYALTY CARD Small card - big rewards
Monday 11th SEXUAL HEALTH DAY Sexual Health advice and demonstrations all day in the SU Centre
Sign up today
www.ucdsu.ie/loyaltycard
Tuesday 12th HEALTHY EATING Healthy cooking on a budget from 12pm-2pm in SU
YOUR STUDENT CARD IS TRANSFORMING, ITS NOW YOUR SU LOYALTY CARD TOO • BIG REWARDS ALL OVER CAMPUS IN STUDENTS UNION OUTLETS
Wednesday 13th PHYSICAL HEALTH DAY Learn what’s in your food with info stands in the SU Centre and take part in the skipathon at 1pm outside the library Donate to campus-wide collection in aid of Irish Heart Foundation
• SPECIAL OFFERS FOR LOYAL CARD HOLDERS • CHANCE TO WIN SU ENTS GOLD CARD • REWARDING YOU IN MORE WAYS EVERYDAY The special SU card is free to use and entitles you to earn points on purchases in SU outlets. From ENTS events to your Crunchie, the SU card is the key to big rewards
Thursday 14th MENTAL HEALTH DAY Relaxation Duvet Day in the Student Centre Blue Room 10am-4pm.
REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE 3RD OF NOVEMBER!! National March against the proposed doubling of the Reg Fee, cut to the Grant and Graduate Unemployment takes place this November 3rd. Demand Education, not Emigration this November 3rd by coming out onto the streets and making your voice heard!
UCDEnts proudly sponsored by Vodafone & in association with Spin 1038 present...
UCDEnts proudly sponsored by Vodafone & in association with Spin 1038 present...
Tickets only €3
THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE
=
= a
DUE TO HIGH DEMAND THE BAR IS NOW OPEN LATE!
ANTARCTIC MONKEYS WITH SUPPORT FROM
LOCAL ACCESS ONLY THURSDAY OCT 14TH
THE BEST STUDENT PROMOS IN DUBLIN TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT UCDENTS.COM
Doors 8pm, Tickets @ €3 from UCDEnts.com (Also available at The Student Bar, SU Shops (Library, Student Centre, Engineering, Science) ROAR/ GOV id essential Over 18's
Thursday Night Live
Oktoberfest
proudly sponsored by
Get on board now at vodafone.ie/redline TNL 4.indd 1
tribune advert.indd 1
proudly sponsored by
Get on board now at vodafone.ie/redline 11/10/2010 10:48
octoberfest.indd 1
11/10/2010 10:54
11/10/2010 11:06
Editorial
Letter to the Editor
Apology to Ms. Claudia Saba
Dear Editor,
Following the publication of the article titled ‘The Anti West Movement’ on the 28th of September, The College Tribune would like to apologise to Ms. Claudia Saba. The purpose of the article was to examine to a speech given by Ms. Saba in UCD and was not written to criticise or damage Ms. Saba’s name or reputation. The choices of images were incorrect for the article, and any indication that portrayed Ms. Saba as being antisemitic is also incorrect. The College Tribune would also like to thank Ms. Saba for writing her own piece on page nine of this issue.
last edition of the College Tribune entitled 'The Anti-West Movement', a
Class Rep Elections
Designer: Emmet Farrell emmet.tribune@gmail.com News Editor: Donie O'Sullivan news.collegetribune@gmail.com Deputy News Editor: Amy Walsh Sports Editor: Mark Hobbs sport.collegetribune@gmail.com
supposed critique of a meeting held by the Socialist Worker Student Society on the topic of Israeli apartheid.The sociey has a staunch stance on the issue of Palestine and while we are very much open to debate, personal attacks on invited speakers and the organisations they represent are unacceptable. The vicious tirade aimed at our guesst speaker, Claudia Saba, appears to have been overlooked in your haste to publish the newspaper, and I am sure the provacative choice of imagery was unintentional. The Irish AntiWar Movement, the group who managed to mobilise over one hundred
In this week’s edition, the College Tribune has decided to focus on UCD Students’ Union’s class rep elections which occurred last week. There is little doubt that a representative from each year is the best system to represent the student body of the college, but any doubts surrounding the system seem to question the involvement of class reps within the Union itself. Any strategy which can get the many class reps actively working for their constituents would be a huge achievement for this year’s current team. The News in focus on page seven attempts to address this issue and it is something all students should take note of. The objective of the Students’ Union is ‘the promotion and furtherance of any matter of interest to its membership,’ and following an investment of over €10,000 in the weekend training of class reps, the merit of the exercise needs to be seen as being worthwhile. Editor: Colman Hanley collegetribune@gmail.com
I am writing in response to the article published by Cliona Campbell in the
Music Editor: David Tracey tribmusic@gmail.com Deputy Music Editor: Conor McKenna
thousand people onto the streets of Dublin in oppostion to the Iraq war has a prestigious history. It is a vehicle to promote peace and anti-imperialist struggle, not to orchestrate 'indoctrination into a world of meaningless violence'. Although one does not want to stoop to the level of slander peddled by Ms. Campbell, one cannot help but mention that during this well attended meeting, Ms. Campbell was seen to edit our literature to fit in with her own zionist ideals. Wherever there was mention of the Palestinian people, it was quickly replaced with the word terrorist. Any level-headed observer would soon realise that it is not the valiant Palestinain resistance who cause widespread terror and destruction, but the racist state of Israel. When one calls oneself anti-zionist, it is a natural defence for a supporter of Israel to cry anti-semitism and blur the situation. The Socialist Worker Student Society and the Irish Anti War Movement defend such accusations vehemently, it is the argument of those who want to hide their racist ideology behind hundreds of years of injustice and horrendous acts commited against the Jewish people.
Fashion Editor: Aoifa Smyth tribune.health.fashion@gmail.com
The level of Islamaphobia spewed by Ms. Campbell in the article is not unusual for someone brainwashed so absolutely. She encourages and strenghthens the worrying myth that categorises Islam as a religion of fundamentalists who choose to explode themselves for no apparent reason,
Photography Editor: Dáire Brennan Turbine Editor: Ryan Cullen
causing untold misery for countless poor Israeli settlers. Settler's who arm themselves with shotguns to repel those attempting to reclaim what is rightfully theirs Suicide bombings are the last resort of a battered people. It is not a tactic condoned by the IAWM, but one understood and lamented. It is not a tactic the pervades the muslim psyche, it is one adopted by some who take an ultimate sacrifice, to highlight the plight of their persecuted brothers and sisters.
Eagarthóir Gaeilge: Eoin Ó Murchú
The Socialist Worker Student Sociey see's Israel as a rogue illegal state, one which promotes hate, racism and violence. The theatrics they engage in to entertain and satisfy their Washington bosses in holding 'peace talks' with
Contributors List:
the puppet Palestinian Authority is sickening. As a society we want to see the Israeli state dismantled and replaced with a free, multi-cultural state,
OLIVIA REIDY, Jeremy O’Hanlon, Ciara Murphy, Ciarán Leinster, Ciarán Breslin, Timothy Potenz, Michael Phoenix, Amy Walsh, Ryan Cullen, Catherine Creagh (belated Happy Birthday), Emma Smyth, Dan Daly, Janelle O’Sullivan, Liam Lacey, Greg Acton (Happy Birthday), Patrick Fleming, Conall Devlin, Mohamed Gamal, Graham Luby, Joseph Conroy, Conor McKenna, Róisín Sweeney, Laura McNally, Timothy Potenz, Ciarán Leinster, Kellie Nwaokorie, Alex Fingleton, Ben Ó Lógáin, Jack Ó Leocháin, Ciarán Ó Braonáin, Niamh Hanley, Kate Brady, Margeurite Murphy, Dan Binchy, Daniel Daly, Danny Lambert, David McManus.
free from religious and racial prejudice. We want a secular state where Jew,
Míle Buíochas:
promote the use of boycott and non-violent means to show solidarity with
Datascope Printing (Kevin Mitchell, David Walsh and Trina Kirwan), Claudia Saba, Lorcan Gray, Emmet Farrell, Donie O’Sullivan, Amy Walsh, Niamh Hanley, MCD (Rory Murphy and Colm Hanley), Philip Connolly, James Grannell, Lorraine Foy, Dáire Brennan, Danny Lambert, David Tracey, Aoifa Smith, Mark Hobbs, Ryan Cullen, Ciara Murphy, Gary Fox, Edel Ní Churraoin, Ronan Murphy, Anita Brown, Craig O’Connor, agus Edel Ní Bhraonáin, Danielle Nic an tSionnigh, Dónal Ó hAnnrachtaigh, Madeleine Ní Ghallchobhair (Breithlá Sona daoibh).
against the aggressive and racist oppression of Palestine. We will continue to
Muslim, Christan and all other races and creeds can co-exist, not an 'Islamic State' based on the 'incessand use of qusam rockets' as Ms. Campbell so eloquently and fictisiously alludes to. The society will continue to highlight the grave injustices perpetrated on our comrades in Palestine.We will fight to promote the rising up of the Arab working classes, a concept so derided by Ms. Campbell. We will continue to
our Palestinian brothers and sisters. We will continue to support resistance
expect Ms. Campbell to be a thorn in our side, peddling zionist ideology and myth. We will engage in debate with the insignificant zionist lobby of UCD, but we will NOT accept vicious attacks on our invited speakers. Lorcan Gray Auditor of the Socialist Worker Student Society
Inside
It’s Satire Stupid!
Americans Yank babies clean out Referendum on hold after Harney swallows proposal Anne Doyle’s throat declared a national landmark Braille photography lets blind rub one out New Fianna Fail headsets to play the screams of working class people Joe Pasquale a natural source of Helium claim scientists
Alternative Ireland’s Greatest Person With the recent discovery that Bono had reached the final five of RTE’s greatest Irish person, one has to sit back and think, ‘where the fuck did we go so horribly wrong’. The Turbine has taken responsibility on its hardened shoulders to come up with a true top five based on attributes such as achievement, morality and character. During compilation, our team of experts had to reject viable candidates such as the creator of the Ku Klux Klan, Eliza Lynch (mistress of a Paraguayan dictator) and Mickey Joe Harte, to compile what we feel to be the pride of Ireland. Firstly on our list is C.S Lewis, renowned writer of Narnia which tells the story of a closet homosexual who gets lost. Although carrying the bur-
Every guy’s nightmare and every woman’s dream
on X-factor really moved me; to
house’. A complete embarrassment. A reminder to
occurred this weekend as this year’s group of talentless
get a bucket to throw up in. Her
the male population, set the clocks back an hour
hopefuls battle it out to be the Britain’s greatest karaoke
attempt at rap reminded me of
next Friday. It will save your soul.
singer on the X-Factor. That means two more hours for
Brendan O’Carroll’s ‘Jesus in the
and wives as the male occupants twiddle their thumbs and carve their names into their armchairs with a breadknife.This year’s competition still contains the four uncharismatic judges with Simon ‘****flap’ Cowell, Cheryl Cole who was wearing so much fake tan she looked like she came off an audition for Charlie and the Chocolate factory, Louis ‘so far in the closet he’s nearly touching Narnia’ Walsh and Dannii Minogue, the shit, less famous sister. As I sat in the living room watching
Bramble rapes Bent
a decent explorer. As far as gaelgoirs are concerned this lady is God, Peig Sayers makes our top five. Most of us know Peig due to the horrid boredom and depression that she put us through in Irish class. Just when you thought the leaving cert couldn’t get more depressing and stressful, out pops Peig with her autobiography of sheer misery that drips from every page. Last but not least, how could anyone ever leave him out, It’s our very own Duke of Wellington. Duke was one of the leading military and political figures of the nineteenth century, mainly for kicking the shit out of Napoleon to the tune of Waterloo. Historians claim that the valiant Irishman struck Napoleon right between the eyes with a Potato to claim his victorious win.
X Factor Marathon show a Nightmare
televisions which will be occupied by girlfriends, sisters
Cowen’s victims claim His Face looked like melted ice cream
den of being from Belfast and having a girls name, he became a famous author until the day he died. On the day of his death, the media were in full swing with excitement due to the fact that John F Kennedy had just been shot, so in retrospect, nobody cared. Next on our list is everyone’s favourite reverend, it’s Ian Paisley. Naming his home ‘NEVER, NEVER, NEVERLAND’ and current host of BBC radio 4’s daily prodcast make this man a necessity on anyone’s list. “Difficulties are just things to overcome, after all.” - Words from Ireland’s greatest Explorer Ernest Shackleton only hours before his final expedition. In unlucky circumstances, he died only hours before that expedition, but still, he was
the horror unfolding, I couldn’t help wondering what the hype was all about and where an iota of talent was present. ‘Teenage sensation’ Cher Lloyd’s performance
October 12th 2010
The College Tribune
| 17
Sport uperleague
College Tribune
The College Tribune October 12th 2010 www.thecollegetribune.net
Down the line Mark Hobbs The opening weekend of European rugby provided
could have done without his citing as well. Should
mixed fortunes for the four Irish provinces, the
he join his fellow centre Mafi on the sidelines through
obvious highlight being Leinster’s return to form
suspension, one would have to fear for the men in red,
against Racing Metro. It is fair to say that the 2009
who are already suffering badly with injuries. A fully fit
Heineken Cup winners finally clicked for the first
and available Munster squad would have to be at their
time this year and delivered their most impressive
best to top the group, so what of a limited one?
performance of the season to date.
The shock of the weekend perhaps was Connacht’s
Where in previous games this term Leinster
away defeat to lowly Italian minnows Cavalieri, and
spluttered and ambled their way through games,
Eric Elwood’s men will be very disappointed with this
here we saw a team that commanded and were
regression given the improvement shown this term.
primed to punish any mistakes their opponents
Should last weekend’s results continue, there is little
threw their way.
doubt that Leinster can build on their two most recent
To put five tries past Racing Metro is no mean feat;
performances and will be Ireland’s best chance of
the suburban Parisians currently top the Super 14
European silverware this term.
league, and boast a cheque book that could make them rugby’s answer to Manchester City. Leinster in full flight is a sight to behold, and each of the five tries scored would have pleased even the most aesthetically critical of rugby connoisseurs. While Brian O’ Driscoll’s injury is an obvious negative, UCD was still well represented by his try scoring replacement Fergus McFadden, who completed the win with a fantastic solo effort at the end of the first pool game. Elsewhere, Ulster will be pleased to open their account with a bonus point win, but they may be surprised as to how hard they were made to work for it by Aironi. The difficulty that the Italians caused Brian McLaughlin’s men raises doubts whether they will be up to the task of tackling Bath and Biarritz in the coming weeks. A late rally from Munster saw them earn a precious bonus point against London Irish in what is arguably the competition’s toughest group. Sam Tuitupou’s late try could very well prove vital, but Munster
The Superleague returns with a shuddering bang, as Greg Acton takes a look at the football league that is not for the faint hearted. The Superleague is back! Two weeks in and it’s already clear that it’s going to be almost exactly the same as last year. The same horrendous jerseys are back, horrendous tackles and horrendous hangovers, but nevertheless, it doesn’t half provide some seriously entertaining matches. Is it just me or have the team names got a bit better though? Exither Quickly is probably my personal favourite, but Murder on Zidane’s Floor is not without its charm. An Aaron McNulty hat-trick helped Sauce Pan Celtic to a 6-4 win over Haven’t a Kalou. Sauce Pan Celtic looked decent, although it should be noted that Haven’t a Kalou got battered 7-0 in week one. They could do with help from Solomon! Superleague games tend to be won by the side with the least severe hangovers, but manager Lorcan McArdle claims it was his tactical decisions that led his side to a second consecutive victory. Not much point in arguing with that as his side have got maximum points so far, but it’s clear that they’re going to have to rely on banging heaps of goals in with a dodgy looking defence.
Meanwhile, Bean FC beat The Hilltown Boys 3-0 in a classic Superleague encounter. Referee Seán O’Connor was kept busy and had to send four players off. The game was probably best described as ‘physical’ with some shocking collisions, one resulting in a five minute break in play because a Hilltown Boys player was knocked unconscious. Bean FC took the lead in the first half but didn’t extend it until late on when Paul Geraghty scored what he seemed to think was a super goal, but in reality was a rubbish tap in. However, near the end, Bean did genuinely score a goal worth bragging about when Neil Smyth guided in a beautiful free-kick. Bean FC look like they might be contenders for the league after two impressive wins, but their name isn’t very good so perhaps they don’t deserve it. They could also probably do with keeping eleven lads on
the pitch if they’re to keep up this form, but that probably won’t happen for one reason or the other. Actually starting a game with the full compliment is about 90% of the battle in the Superleague. The Back Door Bouncers weren’t playing this week, but their upcoming game against Superfriends sounds like it will be one of the campest sporting events of all time and everyone moping around Belfield this Wednesday is urged to head over to the soccer astro to check it out. Remember to bring a pair of shades though to protect your eyes from the Bouncers outlandish hot pink kits. Anyway, that’s about it for the Superleague so far. It may be rubbish, but it’s still better than watching Shay Given hoof the ball the length of the pitch every 30 seconds. Exither Quickly – classic.
PHOTO by Dáire Brennan.
Clubhouse Mark Hobbs
Ladies Secure Victory in Hockey League Chloe Watkins continued her scoring run with a late winner for UCD against Ballymoney last Saturday. Watkins held her nerve to sweep home a deflected effort, just a week after hitting five goals. Despite some strong early pressure and dominating in both possession and territory, the Students failed to create many clear cut chances in the opening quarter. The visitors then took charge in the second period, with UCD’s Orlagh O’ Shea receiving a green card (an official warning) for failure to retreat. A short corner led to Ballymoney drawing first blood, with a fine strike from Katie Mullan. UCD began to reassert themselves in the third quarter, and the pressure finally came to fruition with Watkins linking up well with Caroline Hill, who finished tidily from close range to bring the sides level. The final quarter saw Ballymoney receiving two green cards, while UCD’s Rosie Carrigan was punished with yellow. Despite the drama though, the students held on the better of two sides and Watkin’s strike gave them a fine start to their campaign in the Irish Hockey League.
UCD’s Conquerors Progress St. Brigid’s, who narrowly edged out UCD in the previous round of the Dublin Football Championship, produced a shock by inflicting defeat up previous title favourites St. Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh. Saturday’s game was a scrappy affair, and following a mistake in defence, St.Brigid’s pounced with a goal from Ken Darcy and led 1-2 to 0-3 at half time. Following the interval, it was all one way traffic at Parnell Park, with Brigid’s extending their advantage with important scores from Darcy, Mark Cahill and Paddy Andrews, before easing out to a 1-9 to 0-5 victory. The other finalist will be the winner of the game between St. Vincent’s and Kilmacud Crokes.
www.thecollegetribune.net
18
|
Sport
Caught in a Trap, We Can’t Back Out Following the criticism of the defeat to Russia last Friday night, Colman Hanley examines why Irish fans have to stick by both the players and management. A first competitive defeat in the new
look very poor for an hour of the
have
fine
goal in the ninth minute would
Aviva stadium to a team at are 25th
game. The lack of match sharpness
pedigree to choose from, Given,
have ended in a goal for Keane or
in the FIFA rankings, that was one
of some of the Irish team was all too
Dunne and O’Shea in particular, he
Kevin Doyle. Alas, the chance went
way of looking at the Republic of
apparent as well. Glenn Whelan,
is left with average footballers after
by and Aleksandr Kerzakov scored
Ireland’s defeat to Russia last week.
Kevin Kilbane and Robbie Keane
that. The fighting spirit of the Irish
just moments later.
An embarressing display which saw
had bad days at the office and
is always worth a few points in every
However in Trapattoni, Ireland have
Russia at one point 3-0 lead away
will not want to look at the Sky+
qualifying campaign, but should we
a wily old fox who can still conjure
from home after 51 minutes was
George Hook told them to buy.
ever lose that edge to our play, we
up a little bit of magic out of his
another opinion most chose to take,
However the strategy of the Irish
will find ourselves in the doldrums
players. He appears to be our ace
the Irish love their own
manager to not make any tactical
and shivering as we recount the days
in the pack, so all our faith rests on
‘Suspicious minds.’
changes until the 62nd minute
of Stan being ‘the gaffer.’
that 71 years old’s shoulders. Time
Regardless of the result in Slovakia
was baffling.
The
(a fact unknown at the time
the situation was apparent mid-
did bring back memories of the
of writing), Ireland’s hopes of
way through the second half and
Staunton era, the sight of a team not
qualifying will still be alive going
the lack of movement from the
functioning together and making
into 2011. The one worry to Irish
bench is evidence of the Italian’s
simple basic errors echoed back to
fans though was the manner and
stubbornness to stick to his rigid
Nicosia and the 1-1 home draw
ease that Russia tore Giovanni
4-4-2 formation. Trap’s mantra that
to the same Cypriot side in Croke
Trapattoni’s side apart.
the system works was proven wrong
Park. However the long ball tactic,
From the raiding runs of Russia’s
by the space and ease in which
which Ireland’s Glenn Whelan has
full-backs, Chelsea’s Yuri Zhirkov
Denisov regularly started Russia’s
since come out and criticised, did
and Aleksandr Aniukov, to the space
first half attacks. Switching to 4-5-
clearly cause Dick Advocat’s side
in which Andrei Arshavin regularly
1 to match the Russians seemed the
problems all night, Keane and Shane
found himself in, or the way in
logical thing to do.
Long’s goal coming as a result of the
which deep lying midfielder Igor
Admittedly though, the manager’s
use of the ‘aerial route.’
Denisov always had acres of spaces
options are limited.
It must be
On another occasion, perhaps the
and time , Ireland were made to
remembered that while he does
bombardment of Igor Akinfeev’s
The direness of
Ryde On
some
poor
players
60
with
minute
display
to take out the roseary beads?
started soon after which consisted
and
the
the 2010 Ryder cup for Europe, and
Montgomerie who showed how
of two more foursome matches
European fans as they expected their
so he did showing excellent resolve.
captaining a Ryder Cup team
and four fourball matches, and this
team to kick on and strengthen their
McDowell will go down as the hero
should be done, exhibiting pure
became key in bringing Europe
lead especially with Lee Westwood
but all twelve members of the team
emotion, honesty and passion all
right back into contention as they
who had been playing brilliantly
deserve great praise, not to mention
during proceedings.
one side to the other freely.
came out all guns blazing after a
all weekend kicking off the singles
With the first day of play almost
resounding speech from Captain
matches.
completely being written off by
Montgomerie in between sessions.
was defeated by Stricker and this
the rain, changes were made to the
Play continued into Sunday where
seemed to give the Americans the
schedule meaning four sessions of
Europe had suddenly taken a
boost and impetus they needed to
play instead of the usual three.When
lead of nine and a half to six and
begin their comeback, and they
the first session of fourballs ended
a half by the end of play after a
certainly lacked nothing in courage.
America had taken the early lead 24 players and countless matches
fantastic session where Europe
As the day wore on it seemed
by two and a half to one and a half
over an extended and unprecedented
won five of the six matches of the
inevitable that the last match
with the two controversial wildcard
four days, and it came down to just
session and halved the other, the
involving McDowell and Mahan
picks Harrington and Woods having
two competitors in the form of
highlight being one of the greatest
was going to be the deciding match
contrasting
fortunes, as Woods
Graeme McDowell and Hunter
foursomes performances seen in
in the competition as Europe
partnered by Steve Stricker defeated
Mahan to decide who would win
the Ryder Cup as Luke Donald
struggled to get to the magic number
the supremely confident Ian Poulter
the 2010 renewal of golf ’s most
and Lee Westwood hammered the
of fourteen and a half that would
and Ross Fisher, while Harrington
prestigious team tournament.
partnership of Woods and Stricker.
bring the cup back to Europe. The
and his partner Luke Donald lost
McDowell triumphed in a gritty
The first ever session of play on a
scene was set for McDowell to build
comprehensively to the rookie
performance from the Ulsterman
Monday brought great excitement
on his outstanding year and clinch
combination of Geoff Overton and
as he capped off a quite memorable
Bubba Watson.
2010 for him, winning the Ryder
The beginning of day two of
Cup back for Europe after the
the meeting saw the foursomes
debacle of Valhalla two years ago;
commence, where the Americans
when the egomaniacal Nick Faldo
managed to increase their advantage
saw his team embarrassed by their
over the Europeans to six points to
American counterparts.
four by the end of the six matches.
Celtic Manor’s new course became
Woods and Stricker in particular
the first to be specifically created to
looked impressive as they defeated
hold the Ryder Cup, and the initial
Miguel Angel Jimenez and Peter
downpour seemed to suggest the
Hanson with ease. Luke Donald
fans and players would not see it in
continued his enviable record of
its best light. However both sets of
being unbeaten in Ryder Cup
supporters were very vocal in their
foursome matches by winning
support throughout the four days; as
alongside fellow English man Ian
control of the match swayed from
Poulter. The third session of play
With the Ryder Cup this year proving to be as nail biting and unpredictable as we could have hoped, Liam Lacey recounts how the action unfolded.
anticipation
amongst
Surprisingly, Westwood
www.thecollegetribune.net
October 12th 2010
The College Tribune
UCD Sailors Nail Colours to Their Mast
| 19
Beginners, as well as experienced sailors, are catered for too. “We organise lessons through a local
With the Sailing Club about to embark on a competition in Clifden, Patrick Fleming catches up with the club’s PRO Simon Doran to assess their chances.
the remaining two days. Despite this,
day out on the water. It’s high
to win. All bets are off once on the
sailing school and we offer them
they regained composure to salvage
intensity and requires an immense
water. “Tempers do sometimes boil
at a discounted rate compared to
a third place finish for the event.
amount of skill and guile, as tactics
over, including a famous incident
the normal price.” Beginners are
“We’re gutted,” Simon explains.
and strategy play a big part in
where one competitor jumped
encouraged to develop and move
UCD’s Sailing Club is a dedicated
year, there’s a definite emphasis on
In response to what he thought
determining the outcome of a
out of his boat into another boat,
up into the racing fray by going out
and competitive group of sailors.
improving on last year’s modest
about the next event, the Westerns
race. “Sailing can be like chess at
decked the person on the opposite
to the events and social nights. “If
As Simon Doran puts it, “we have
successes, which included wins
in Clifden, Doran was clear-cut
a tactical level and the best sailors
team, jumped back into his own
you truly want to be a successful
trained harder and more often
at the Irish University Sailing
in his aims for the event. “We’re
are always thinking a move ahead,
boat and sailed on!”
sailor, you must immerse yourself in
than any other college.” The goal
Association Eastern Championships,
going to win.” The UCD team have
never just about the present.” The
Off the water though, this is a very
the sport.”
is to bring about another “golden
as well as the Scottish University
learned from the mistakes of last
team aspect is another key factor for
social and convivial sport. “The
Although the sailors of UCD are
period” for the club. “The last of
Sailing Association Championships.
time and confidence is at its peak.
the sailors to consider and Simon
inter college craic is amazing,”
focused and determined to succeed,
which was about ten years ago
“This year we hope to win the
“Throughout the fleets I feel that
outlines the ethos of the UCD team
Doran
a
the most important aspect of sailing
when they were winning everything
intervarsities and we are going to
UCD will excel, as our strength
with regard to this. “At the highest
member of UCC decided to butter
for Doran is the friendship, “Most
around them, intervarsities etc. The
do it, it is as simple as that.”
in depth exceeds all other colleges,
levels, the teamwork is incredible,
the walls in our house!” The most
of all though, I’d have to go for the
last five years have been relatively
The first event of the year, the
for example, our seconds could be
nobody sails for themselves. It is all
extraordinary event that Doran has
clichéd and very corny fact that the
barren.”
Nationals down in Cork, was a
the strongest test that our firsts will
about the team.”
heard about, however, is that one
friends I’ve made in the sailing club
For the club which won Varsity
disappointing one, as a bad first day
face.”
The racing is intensely competitive
day team members woke up to find
will be probably with me for, at the
Club of the Year in UCD last
left UCD facing an uphill battle for
The sport of sailing is no relaxing
and each and every racer is expecting
a cow in the house!
very least, the rest of my college
explains. “One
day
life.”
UCD Ward off Relegation against Tribesmen Galway United
1
UCD 4 Mohamed Gamal A first senior hat-trick from Keith Ward moved UCD seven points clear of the relegation play-off places and almost ensure their Premier Divison Airtricity League status. On the back of their win over Shamrock Rovers, UCD set about their task immediately and broke deadlock in the tenth minute. Fullback Ciaran Nangle’s raiding run set up Keith Ward from ten yards, the in-form attacking midfielder squeezing a low-driven shot past Galway keeper Daire Geraghty to give the Students the lead. Despite UCD looking to increase
their
Karl
in space, the winger sent a cross
O’Donnell sent UCD keeper Billy
Sheppard missed an easy chance to
advantage, Galway’s
back into the path of Corry to
Brennan the wrong way to give
restore parity following a corner by
finish with expertise. Two goals to
Galway hope.
Derek O’Brien. At the other end,
the good at half-time, the Students
However the goal proved to be just
the Belfield nearl doubled their lead
looked comfortable.
a consolation. Just 60 seconds later,
in the 26th minute, Ciaran Kilduff
Credit to Martin Russell’s men,
Mulhall advanced forward quickly,
striking the post after receiving an
the scoring didn’t end there. Six
crossed to Ward at the back-post to
excellent pass from Chris Mulhall.
minutes into the second half, Ward
score his fourth goal in two games
Galway tried to up the ante but
made it three by scoring a sweet
and secure the points.
the equalizer kept evading them,
free-kick, his second consecutive
The win means that should Galway
notably in the 30th minute when
goal a direct free in two games
fail to win their final three games,
Sheppard’s header from another
following his last minute against the
UCD’s Premier Division status
O’Brien cross went just over the
Hoops last week.
will be safe, an achievement which
bar. Ward was given space once
Galway looked a beaten side,
would reflect the great work of
more on the edge of the Galway
but were handed a lifeline in the
Martin Russell and everyone at
area in another UCD attack, but his
62nd minute. UCD skipper Evan
UCD AFC.
shot destined for the top corner was
McMillan was adjudged to have
UCD: Brennan; Shortall, Leahy, E
acrobatically saved by Geraghty.
tripped Sheppard in the penalty
McMillan, Nangle; Mulhall, Corry,
The miss didn’t prove too costly
area by referee Pádraig Sutton
Bolger, Ward (Moore 83); Kilduff,
though as a minute later, Paul Corry
who pointed immediately to the
D McMillan (Creevy 67). Subs not
found Chris Mulhall out wide, and
spot. Galway midfielder Stephen
used: Barron, O’Conor, Wilson.
Keith Ward celebrates his hat-trick, PHOTO: David Maher/SPORTSFILE
www.thecollegetribune.net
Ryder Cup ››
Sailing News ››
Story on page 18
Focus on page 19
UCD’s Sailing Club
Report on the action so far this year
College Tribune
The College Tribune October 12th 2010 www.thecollegetribune.net
UCD Claim the Scalp of Demons
Sport
Students Leave it Late in Thrilling Battle UCD 32 Queen’s 26
Conor Meaney soars high in UCD’s 96-91 win over Demons. PHOTO by Dáire Brennan.
continued to keep their noses on front for much of the second half, with both teams trading scores until the hosts emerged with a six point lead of 26-20 with
Mark Hobbs
only five minutes to go. The Belfield men were far from
Rugby fans in Belfast were treated
at Dub Lane with two late tries from Ritchie Bent and
to a fantastic advertisement for
Brian Cawley.
the game in a closely fought AIL
The Belfast students could be forgiven for feeling a little
Division Two
between
shell shocked; second row Cawley, who was named as
Queen’s University and UCD on
man of the match, touched down in the sixth minute of
Saturday, which saw the visitors
injury time before James Thornton duly converted for
leave Belfast with a bonus point
the additional two points.
victory.
UCD Director of Rugby John McClean was delighted
The Northern team were looking
with the team’s effort, and was quick to stress how
to bounce back from their opening
entertaining the encounter was; “There was lots of
day defeat and rediscover the form
very good play; an excellent match. Lots of good rugby
that saw them run away with
played…it was a very exciting, free flowing game in
Division Three last term, while
good conditions.”
UCD were looking to build on
The bonus point win sees the Students with nine pints
their gritty opening day win over
from the first two rounds of the League, and will set
DLSP last week.
them up for an important two week period which sees
A free flowing encounter saw eight
them face Blackrock in the Leinster Cup Semi-Final
tries scored, five for UCD and three
next Saturday and then make the short journey to Old
for the home team, with the two
Wesley to play under the lights the following Friday.
teams evenly matched for much
UCD Scorers:
ready to surrender however, and blitzed their opponents
contest
UCC Demons
91
Crowder, who combined three-
the second half, was imperative in
UCD Marian
96
point shooting with post moves. A
wearing Demons down.
of the match. Enjoying a narrow
K McSharry, A Boile, K Croke, R Bent, B Cawley (one
‘buzzer beater’ from UCC Captain
This balanced team performance
lead of 13-10 at half time, Queen’s
try each); J Thorton (pen, two cons).
Shane Coughlan was enough to
delighted UCD coach Fran Ryan,
edge Demons in front at the half,
who pointed to the “six and a half
45-46.
weeks of hard work” in the off
The game was won in the third
season as the foundation for the first
quarter though with the Belfield
win of the campaign. Also speaking
men outscoring UCC 28-20. A
after the game, 24-year-old Meany,
great quarter at both ends of the
who led the College with 26 points,
floor from the returning Barry
praised the “cool head” of veteran
Glovers sparked a 7-0 run for the
Barry Glover and the team defence
Students as they increased the
in the second half as instrumental
game’s intensity and put the Rebels
in the Students’ victory. American
in team foul trouble. Neil Baynes
James Crowder added 13 with Niall
and Dan James stepped up for the
Higgins contributing 11 off the
College, leaving the score 73-66 in
bench for UCD. Marcus Van led all
their favour.
scorers with 30 for Demons, with
Free throw shooting from Conor
Shane Coughlan finishing with 16.
Conall Devlin UCD bounced back from their Superleague season opening 72-82 defeat to UL Eagles in emphatic fashion at the Sports Centre on Saturday night, deservedly defeating UCC Demons 96-91, their first victory over the Cork men in five years. The Students set their stall out from the tip off with a great half-court dish from team captain Niall Meany to new American recruit James Crowder for an alleyoop dunk. However the game was tight in the early exchanges with UCD having to nullify UCC’s most potent offensive target, 6’7” centre Marcus Van. The former Central Michigan star was a constant threat in both positions of low post and on the boards. Scores from UCD’s back-court pairing of Dan James and Conor Meany were cancelled out by Demons’ Niall O’Reilly. However 6’4” wingman Michael Higgins injected energy off the bench for the Belfield men, and this left UCD shading the first quarter 26-24. The second quarter followed much the same pattern. UCC had success offensively with points in the paint and in transition, but struggled to slow down UCD’s offensive sets, and, in particular, the versatility of 6’6”
Meany was vital in consolidating the win in the final quarter, as
UCD:
UCC lost their discipline in trying
Conor Meany, Barry Glover, James
to chip away at the Students’ lead.
Crowder, Niall Meany, Neil Baynes.
Double teaming the imperious Van,
Subs: Cathal Finn, Paddy Young,
and slowing down the Cork team’s
Daniel James, Conor James, Matt
captain Coughlan to just 3 points in
Kelly, Michael Higgins.
Photo: Paul Mahon/SPORTSFILE