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Public Accounts Commitee Probing UCD Over Non-Compliance Cian Carton | Editor
• • •
T
Guidelines not applied for €8.5 million worth of tenders awarded in 2016. UCD blamed it on delays on a lack of resources. PAC now awaiting correspondence from the Office of Government Procurement.
he Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Oireachtas is investigating UCD over its failure to competitively tender €8.5 million worth of procurement contracts. PAC began to look into the matter when UCD’s ‘Financial Statement for the 2016 Year’ was put before it on the 14th December 2017. David Cullinane, Acting Chairman of PAC, noted both the €8.5m figure in non-competitive procurement and deferred pension funding, then proposed contacting UCD for an explanation, which is standard practice. PAC wrote to UCD on the 15th December 2017 in relation to UCD’s 2016 Financial Statements. The letter from Margaret Falsey, its Committee Secretariat, noted that 5.5% of UCD’s overall non-payment expenditure for the year was non-compliant with public
procurement guidelines. UCD President Andrew Deeks responded in a letter date the 10th January 2018. He wrote that ‘much of this non-compliant expenditure was due to the extensions of service contracts that were originally awarded competitively, while other noncompliant procurement occurred through the use of competitive quoting rather than a full tender process.’ He stated that UCD believes it ‘achieved excellent value for state and non-state money in all procurement’ undertaken during that period. Deeks further noted that the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) ‘looked at each and every case of non-compliance individually’, and that they ‘outlined the circumstances, nature of contracts and steps being taken to ensure compliance in Section 13 our governance statement submitted with the
accounts.’ The rest of the letter set out that statement. PAC discussed Deeks’ letter on the 18th January where Cullinane observed the correspondence ‘seems to suggest that the Office of Government Procurement, OGP, is facing some difficulties in supporting the college in respect of this.’ He proposed writing to the OGP for a response which will be published. Any UCD contract which will incur expenditure of over €25,000 exclusive of VAT must be advertised nationally on the government’s eTenders website. EU thresholds apply for goods and services over €221,000. Since the 1st August 2014, all public buyers must publish details of awarded tenders over €25,000. The OGP publishes a quarterly list of these awards online. Continued on page 3.
Issue 07 Volume 31
CT.
0731
Editors
Cian Carton Rachel O’Neill
Section Editors News. Cian Carton
Politics. Aaron Bowman Features. Rachel O’Neill Film. Muireann O’Shea & Ciara Dillon Music. Adam Bielenberg Fashion. Shannon Doherty Arts. Holly Lloyd LifeStyle. Ciara Landy Science.
Editorial. Rachel O’Neill Editor
T
he issue of how sexual assault cases are tried on the island of Ireland is something that has been bugging me for awhile. I studied Neuroscience in UCD so I lack in the area of law. What I don’t lack is a sense of horror at how the victim at the centre of the Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding allegations and court case is being treated. This woman has had her underwear and the clothes she was wearing on the night of the alleged rape shown to the jury. It baffles me that in this day and age we are still conversations about the clothes victims are wearing when they are sexually assaulted. Wearing a certain kind of underwear is not an invitation to rape, it’s not an invitation to anything. Frankly, it’s an invitation to wear whatever underwear you like and not be raped on a night out. A defence lawyer’s job is to use any means necessary to get their client off, I can understand that. What I cannot understand is why
Aífe McHugh
showing the clothes of the victim to the jury is necessary. Not only does it wrongly shame the victim but it disincentivizes any other potential victim of sexual assault from coming forward to report an assault. If you’re a victim of a sexual assault, what do you gain from reporting? You get to have your entire sexual history dissected in front of 12 strangers and a court. You get to have every sexual encounter you’ve ever had questioned, looking for a motive or a reason why you might be lying. You get to have every horrible aspect of rape culture thrown at you under the guise of a legal defence. ‘How much did you drink?’ ‘What were you wearing?’ ‘Do you like throwing yourself at celebrities?’ ‘How often do you have sex?’ ‘How often do you have sex with strangers?’ I’ve a question of my own. How often are we going to keep having these conversations? When are we going to treat victims of sexual assault with basic human decency? When will the system stop re-traumatising the victim?
Cian Carton Editor
A
utomatic membership of UCD Students’ Union (UCDSU) continuously arises as a contentious topic. Following the abortion preferendum in 2013, Samuel O’Connor set up Irish Students for Freedom of Association (ISFA) to help other students opt out of union membership. The group’s website is long gone, but it’s core legal argument still remains. Citizens have a constitutional right to join trade unions, while the right to disaffiliate from one was set out in the famous constitutional case of Meskill v CIE, which built on earlier decisions. Article 3 of the UCDSU Constitution states that its membership includes ‘all persons registered as students in University College Dublin… who are pursuing recognised degree or diploma courses of the University.’ Based on the case law, a person could argue they should be free to opt out of union membership. While all that is a well-known and argued point, what if a group of students breakaway and attempt to form their own union? Could they be recognised as a representative body for students by the administration? Theoretically, it looks like a yes. The Seanad recently hosted an
interesting debate during the Committee Stage of the Technological Universities Bill 2015. While you can read all about it in the Business and Law section of this paper, one part of it stuck out. Specifically, Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor’s reference to section 16(2)(d)(iv) and (v) of the Universities Act 1997, which states that the members of a university’s governing authority shall include ‘not less than two or more than three students of the university who are elected officers of the Students Union or other student representative body in the university recognised by the governing authority, and one post-graduate student elected by the post-graduate students.’ These sections allow for members of a student representative body, as recognised by the governing authority, other than ‘the Students Union’ to sit on the governing authority. There was a good back-and-forth in the Seanad over it, where it was argued that without a definition of a ‘student union’, an administration could choose a random student representative body over an ‘official’ union and let them sit on the governing authority. It is an ongoing debate worth following.
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Editorial Note 0731 On This Day: On 13th Feb 1861, Abraham Lincoln is elected the 16th Presidence of the United States of America.
13.02.2018
*Cover Continued UCDNEWS. p.04
UCD begins the search for a new Bursar.
Politics.
p.00
Student Unions’ reaffirm harm reduction drug policy.
Features. p.11
Can positive psychology make us happier?
Music. p.15
Film. p.16
An Interview with Wyvern Lingo.
Oscar Previews: The Post & Darkest Hour.
Fashion.
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Arts. p.22
The history of Haute Couture.
A roundup of events around Dublin.
Honey: A Timeless Treasure.
Science. p. 26
Third level public procurement is currently in the news following recent investigations by PAC and the C&AG in the area. The C&AG’s Special Report on Public Sector Financial Reporting for 2015 noted 56 procurement-related issues from the 2015 accounts of higher education institutions. 24 of these incidents involved a failure to use the correct competitive process due to the value of the awards. PAC assessed the financial accounts of six sample third-level institutions and produced a report in July 2017. Appendix 3 noted the status of Irish universities at the time. Their financial year ends on the 30th September. The PAC report stated that UCD’s Accounts for 2015 cleared an audit, but had pension and public procurement non-compliance issues. Dublin City University (DCU) and University College Cork (UCC) were the only two of the seven Irish universities not noted as having procurement problems. It has been less of an issue with Institutes of Technology. The Department of Education and Minster for Education and Skills are currently reviewing PAC’s report and proposals, one of which that would allow universities to face financial penalties for non-compliance with procurement procedures, by classifying it as a failure to meet their governance requirements.
The OGP The OGP began work in 2014 and sources goods and services on behalf of the public services. It divided up procurement into sixteen categories, of which it exclusively runs eight of them. Four key areas, Health, Defence, Education, and Local Government, are all able to source goods and services from the other eight categories in which they are the main users. This system, which is still developing, has resulted in a situation whereby UCD’s procurement is handled by its own procurement office, but the OGP tells it which suppliers to use.
UCD’s Financial Statement
LifeStyle. p.24
PAC’s Report
How to hack your habits.
UCD’s discussion on non-compliance with national procurement guidelines is located in Section 13 of the Statement of Governance and Internal Control, which covered Financial Reporting, Internal Audit, Procurement and Asset Disposals. It noted ‘there has been ongoing delay in finalising a memorandum of understanding between the OGP and the Department of Education setting out the fundamentals of the revised procurement model.’ Under this model, the OGP selects the suppliers while UCD must handle all compliance. The ‘ongoing implementation phase of the OGP model’ and ‘resourcing due to timing issues’ means
Gaeilge.
p. 28 Tá na meáin
shóisialta ag cruthú sochaí frithshóisialta.
‘it is not always possible to match the output of the OGP process to the procurement requirements’ of the University. This leads to a risk that contracts will expire in advance of being retendered or that contracts will be extended temporarily beyond their original duration without going through the appropriate procurement process.’ It also noted that there is a risk where OGP cannot deliver a procurement request that UCD lacks the resources to complete the necessary process. UCD ‘continues to deploy its minimal procurement resources (following the loss of most of its staff to the OGP in the expectation that the OGP model would encompass the full procurement requirements of the sector) to minimise this risk, but due to the slower transitioning of contracts to the OGP and the reduction in UCD Procurement Staffing levels, UCD does not have adequate resources to handle the current volume of expenditure that needs to be procured on an open ender basis.’ For the year ended September 2016, UCD prioritised the allocation of buyer resources to procurement competitions with the ‘best opportunities to deliver additional savings.’ UCD only switched to the €25,000 threshold from the 1st January 2016. For the 2016 financial year, 88 suppliers, with a combined transactions value of €8.5m, received awards for which the national procurement guidelines were not applied. UCD noted that €4.7m worth of those contracts were since re-tendered, now have an OGP framework agreement in place, or have been discontinued. It stated that the remaining €3.8m would be addressed over the coming months. UCD spent €155m on suppliers, including recurring and capital costs. UCD observed that instances of procurement non-compliance ‘mostly relate to facilities management contracts’, and that it is actively working with OGP to resolve the issue. Where OGP frameworks are not suitable, UCD ‘intends to run separate tenders in
Business. p.29
Will Brexit affect extraditions?
consultation with the OGP.’ It further stated it was taking measures to prevent the situation from occurring in the future. UCD is introducing a ‘new contract management system to list all current and planned contracts with their start dates and expiry dates.’ It was also looking to hire a person for a dedicated procurement compliance role, who would ‘identify and regularise any spends with non-procured suppliers that exceed procurement thresholds, strengthening procedures for setting up new suppliers and culling the existing number of nonprocured suppliers.’
Previous Problems While UCD promised change, its explanations are similar to previous reports. The section 13 report in its accounts for the year ended September 2015 note that €7.9m worth of transactions to 43 suppliers did not conform with the national procurement guidelines. UCD spent €149m on suppliers, which included recurring and capital costs. The accounts to the end of September 2014 noted seven suppliers were utilised under which the national procurement guidelines were not used. The 2013 accounts merely stated that all procedures for procurement were being carried out. UCD’s 2014 accounts noted in section 13 that it used a €60,000 threshold when assessing which contracts must be put to tender. It stated that adhering to the national guideline of €25,000 would be ‘administratively challenging due to the limited procurement staff available.’ UCD only used the national figure for certain research expenditure where it was required by the terms and conditions of the research grant. PAC is currently waiting on the OGP for a response. The note on the 88 suppliers and €8.5 million sum only appears in UCD’s letter to PAC, but is omitted from UCD’s published version of its accounts which is available on its website.
Turbine
p.32 Satirical takes
on Aquaman, cryptocurrency and more.
Sport. p.34
Is the ATP World Tour overworking players? p.3
UCDNEWS.
Deeks Returns from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia Trip Jennifer Garrett News Writer
U
CD President Andrew Deeks has returned from a visit to the Middle East at the end of January. This trip served as part of President Deeks next stop as part of his UCD Alumni tours as well as a chance to connect with universities in the region. During his visit, Deeks along with a delegation and Paul Kavanagh (pictured), Irish Ambassador to the UAE (also accredited to Qatar, Kuwait and Afghanistan), met with the Kuwait Ministry of Higher Education and the Minister of Education for Saudi Arabia. In the meeting in Kuwait, the Kuwait Ministry outlined their intention
to increase the number of government scholarships given to students going to Ireland. Deeks also had similar talks with the Minister for Education for Saudi Arabia, but he outlined in his Presidential Bulletin to staff that while they were not as open about their plans, they gave a similar impression to that of Kuwait. Deeks attended two UCD Alumni events during his trip, one in Saudi Arabia and one in the UAE. The event in Saudi Arabia was held in Riyadh at the Irish Embassy compound on the 21st January. Around 40 UCD Alumni living in Saudi Arabia attended the event. According to the Irish Ambassador
to Saudi Arabia this event was ‘the first alumni event held by any Irish university in Saudi Arabia.’ During his trip, Deeks also visited King Saud University in Saudi Arabia and noted there are plans for the two universities to sign a ‘Memorandum of Understanding to promote student exchange and research collaboration between our institutions.’ Paul Kavanagh, a UCD
Alumnus and now Irish Ambassador to the UAE, and his wife Rosemary hosted a UCD Alumnus event in his home in Abu Dhabi on the 25th January. Deeks described the event as ‘well attended’ with an estimated 70 UCD Alumni in attendance. Ambassador Kavanagh received a B.A (Hons) in Modern History & French from UCD in 1977. As part of his trip, Deeks
attended a ‘soft launch’ of the UCD Global Centre in Dubai. This will be the 5th Global Centre UCD has opened and will serve the Middle East Region. These Centres serve to increase UCDs global engagement through connecting with Alumni and acting as hubs for international research. The other Centres are located in New York, Beijing, Delhi, and Kuala Lumpur.
UCD Begin Bursar Search Cian Carton Editor
U
CD is looking for a new Bursar after Gerry O’Brien left the role to become Chief Operating Officer at the University of Limerick. The Bursar is one of the most powerful and highest paid positions on campus. Appointed on a ten-year fixed term role, the new Bursar will earn either €146,543 or €150,769 or per annum, depending on if and when they joined the public service. The Bursar’s functions are set out in Statute 6, Chapter 12, which came into effect under then-President Hugh Brady in June 2005.They serve as ‘Chief Adviser to the President and to the Governing Authority on the financial management of the University.’ UCD President Andrew Deeks recently called on staff to help find a replacement. He explained how the new Bursar will lead ‘integrated strategic, financial planning and budgeting in all areas of the University including the building programme and the upgrade of campus facilities.’ UCD is using PwC accountants to help with the search. Applications close in the middle of March. O’Brien’s departure was somewhat of a surprise given recent events. Originally appointed in 2007, his term was set to expire
13.02.2018
last year. In May 2017, UCD introduced Statute 23 which amended the fixed time limit on the Bursar’s position, which is found in Statute 6, Chapter 12. The sentence ‘The Bursar shall be eligible for reappointment for a period of up to ten years, as recommended by the President and approved by the Governing Authority’ was added to the Statute. It came into effect on the 16th May 2017. At a meeting of the Governing Authority on the 27th June 2017, they approved ‘the reappointment of the Bursar for a 10-year term from 12 September 2017.’ O’Brien, an accountant, became Chief Operating Officer and Registrar of UL at the start of November 2017. He is the only Registrar of an Irish university who is not an academic. UL has been reforming its management and governance structures over the past year following a number of controversies after staff raised concerns about expenses being paid out. Two staff members who raised the issue were suspended. The Higher Education Authority (HEA) published its ‘Report into Certain Matters and Allegations Relating to the University of Limerick’ last November after months of investigation into its governance, HR, and financial practices. The Thorn Report made 36 findings and 10 recommendations against UL, all of which the university accepted. p.4
UCDNEWS.
Building & Planning Round Up Cian Carton Editor Ardmore House
A
s reported last month, UCD’s plan to renovate Ardmore House and transfer President Andrew Deeks’ office into it is facing a delay. UCD applied for planning permission at the start of December, and was expecting a decision soon after the public observation period ended in January. However, the Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaelteacht wants UCD to carry out a bat survey of the protected structure before the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council grants permission. The Council is yet to make a decision, but is now likely to request UCD to carry tout a survey. The main issue what significance will be attached to the Department’s request. The Council could grant permission, and attach a condition that the project cannot begin until the survey is carried out and reviewed. It could also delay giving a verdict by granting a time extension to allow for the survey to be carried out before making a final decision on the application. Deeks’ move into Ardmore House is part of UCD’s plan to consolidate HR services in the Tierney Building in the centre of campus. UCD HR currently operates out of Roebuck Castle. UCD plans to demolish ‘poorly configured and inaccessible accommodation’ to the of Ardmore across three Bliain na Gaeilge UCDrear ad 300x215.pdf 2 House 02/02/2018 16:44
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storeys. Ongoing plans envisage stripping out the basement for open plan offices and meeting rooms. Deeks wants to move into the new office by the end of 2018.
Private Club at O’Reilly Hall
UCD President Andrew Deeks’ number one building project on campus is yet to begin. Planning permission was granted last April, subject to a number of conditions. UCD’s first application for a revised Fire Safety Certificate was rejected back in October for failing to ‘provide adequate information to enable the authority to assess the proposal.’ A new application was made in November, with a decision due date of the 25th January 2018. The Council has granted a time extension to the decision, leaving the project on hold. UCD is also waiting on a Disability Access Certificate. It needs the two documents before construction can begin.
UCD Residences Masterplan
The first two phases got the go ahead from An Bord Pleanala. UCD pre-emptively applied to the Council for Fire Safety Certificates for buildings involved in the project. The Council has granted time extensions for the Fulcrum Building, Block D and Block E. It is still awaiting news on its application for a Disability Access Certificate for the Fulcrum Building.
p.5
UCDNEWS.
Over 700 Staff in UCD Currently Tenured Rachel O’Neill Editor
A
total of 736 academic staff currently hold tenure in UCD according to information received by the Tribune in a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. If a member of staff receives tenure it means that they have guaranteed permanent employment. Their tenure will come up for review every 5 or 7 years however it’s unusual for tenure to be revoked unless a serious complaint has been made against the staff member. There is a high number of tenured staff within the science programme with 31 tenured staff in the School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, 29 in the School of Computer Science, 20 in the School of Physics and 17 in the School of Chemistry. The School of Medicine has the highest number of tenured staff with a total of 64 with the School of Business in second with
57 and the School of Agriculture and Food Science in third with 44. The UCD Energy Institute, UCD Humanities Institute, Teaching and Learning, Central Office - College of Arts and Humanities, Central Office - College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, Centre for American Studies, College of Science Administration Office and College of Engineering and Architecture Administration Office all have the lowest amount of tenured staff with just one staff member each. Arts Schools tend to have lower amounts of tenured staff with just 6 tenured staff in the School of Classics and 7 in the School of Art History and Cultural policy compared with 29 in the School of Maths and Statistics. The School of English, Drama and Film has the highest number of tenured staff within the Arts programme with 28, higher than the School of Law who have 26 tenured staff.
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UCDNEWS.
EUA Council Endorses Calls for University Autonomy Cian Carton Editor
The EUA consists of members over 850 members from 47 counties. It aims to ‘support, for the benefit of all, the continued development of the culture, society, technology and economy of Europe’, by giving members ‘unique opportunities to influence and shape future European policy and initiatives affecting higher education and research.’ The EUA envisages European universities becoming ‘a system of academic institutions with highly diversified profiles, providing a wide spectrum of graduate qualifications and facilitating the mobility of staff and students.’ This is only possible through ‘promoting autonomous institutions, able to define their own strategy and build partnerships in their own best interests.’ Its membership costs are based on a country’s national GNP per capita and size of a university, which puts UCD’s annual membership fee at just under €5,000. It is made up of three bodies, a Board, Council, and General Assembly. The EUA’s Secretariat operates out of Brussels and Geneva. The Board is made up of eight members and a President. One of the Board Members is Professor Michael Murphy, who served as President of University College Cork (UCC) from 2007 to 2017. He has also been the Vice-Chancellor of the National Univer13.02.2018
sity of Ireland, Chair of the Health Research Board of Ireland, and Chair of the Irish Universities Association. The terms of the President and five Board Members are set to expire in 2019. Academics from Irish institutions would be ineligible for the roles as there can only be one board member per country, with Murphy’s term running from 2017 to 2021. The Council consists of the President, Board Members, and either chairpersons or nominated representatives on behalf of the universities in each country. Deeks is the representative of the Irish Universities Association, the national body which represents and advocates on behalf of Ireland’s seven universities. The EUA’s General Assembly meets at least once a year, and is attended by all full and associate members. EUA’s Council Paper Deeks attended the EUA Council’s meeting on Friday, 26th January. He noted that ‘most of the meeting was concerning routine matters and reports of EUA activities’ but highlighted the position paper that was endorsed by the Council. It followed ‘significant revision of an earlier draft in response to feedback from [Deeks] and others.’ This paper is titled ‘Learning and Teaching in Europe’s Universities’ and sets out 6 key points. The final point is ‘Institutional autonomy and sustainable funding are essential for the development of L&T activities.’ Deeks stated ‘the final key message on autonomy and funding is one that I continue to deliver at every opportunity.’ The Council noted that ‘the diversity of institutional profiles and educational programmes is one
of the key characteristics and strengths of European higher education. Each university is expected to have a well-defined profile and clear objectives for its study programmes.’ In order to facilitate these goals, national legal frameworks should ‘facilitate the implementation of context-sensitive L&T and provide sufficient autonomy for institutions to develop programmes based on cutting-edge disciplinary and professional knowledge in response to the needs of society, while also allowing for experimentation and innovation.’ The Council identified both the protection of institutional autonomy and adequate provision of public funding as key priorities in enabling the development and implementation of high quality teaching and learning. It observed that funding cuts tend to target this area as opposed to research. National Developments
The EUA’s position follows recent developments at a national level. The Irish government unveiled plans last month to link public funding for the third-level
sector to national objectives. The news raised concern that this would prevent universities from best using the money as they see fit. Deeks wrote an opinion piece in the Irish Times in January calling for the preservation and protection of university autonomy. He told staff that the release of the government’s ‘Review of the Allocation Model for Funding Higher Education Institutions’ and the ‘widespread reporting of the suggestion that financial penalties for ‘breaches of governance’ will be introduced meant that the time was right to present a clear and informed view on these matters to the wider public.’ He recently told staff that he ‘received positive feedback from a number of quarters’ due to the piece, which is derived from his presentation at the seminar on Higher Education and the Public Interest in December. At that seminar, Deeks recalled to staff that he explained how universities have proven to be ‘robust and adaptable organisations able to function under many different forms of government’, with one reason being the evolution
“
Deeks wrote an opinion piece in the Irish Times in January calling for the preservation and protection of university autonomy.
“
U
niversity funding and institutional autonomy was discussed on at a European level at a Council Meeting of the European Universities Association (EUA), which was attended by UCD President Andrew Deeks. What is the EUA?
of ‘effective internal systems of governance and management in which the status quo is continually challenged.’ Deeks also mentioned that he addressed the consequences of the transfer of power from universities to other institutions and bodies, with HR matters being a key area. When these occur within university ‘decision-making process and accountability lines’, the decision maker is ‘personally impacted by the consequences (positive and negative), and must take responsibility both up and down the organisation.’ In contrast, decision makers outside of a university have ‘no accountability… and no personal stake in the decision.’ This is resulting in ‘procrastination, onward referral of decisions, and when decisions are finally made they are almost inevitably conservative’, while outside decisions cannot be challenged the same way internal ones can, hence reducing accountability. The EUA will host its Annual Conference Zurich in April. Its 2016 Conference was held in Galway and featured a keynote speech from Irish President Michael D. Higgins. p.8
Politics.
The Rural Broadband Problem Aaron Bowman Politics Editor
13.02.2018
issued to find a company to deliver the connections two the non-viable houses. This would subsequently be used to identify the cost attached to this venture and lay out a roadmap for the eventual tender winner to recoup some of their costs. This process was completed in 2014 and tender offers were sought from the private sector. This is broadly where the whole process fell apart. In 2016 a shortlist of three companies was compiled to deliver the process, Eir, Enet and Siro. Each of these planned for this to be a profitable endeavour for them as a result of the direct payment from the Irish state and the subsequent changes they could apply for those wishing to use their lines. This second part of the plan was undermined by the Government permitting Eir, one of the three companies in the tender process and already the provider of much of the states telecommunications infrastructure to pull 300,000 households out of the scheme. These households were viewed by many as the commercially viable portion of the project and their removal caused Siro, the joint Vodafone ESB venture to pull out of the tender process in late 2017. The process was further damaged by Eir themselves pulling out of the tender process in February 2018. This has left just a single bidder in the process: Enet. Alongside this the process is increasingly viewed as commercially unviable meaning that when it comes down
to it they may not even want to participate in the scheme as it won’t be worth enough to them. The delays and problems that have emerged in this scheme seem like just another example of a Government project being delayed or not meeting expectations, but unfortunately this runs much deeper. The lack of rural infrastructure is regularly cited as a reason for rural depopulation, and beyond that the lack of reasonable internet connections have stalled the growth of many businesses countrywide. Worse yet, as more services depart rural areas due to the fact that they are viewed as commer-
cially unviable the internet becomes increasingly essential to deliver services to rural Ireland. This scheme has been compared to the rural electrification which started in the 1940s. That process took over 20 years to completed. We are six years into this current scheme as thus far the State has yet to lay a single cable and the entire process is in doubt. Fianna Fáil last (Thursday) passed a motion in the Dáil calling for a halt and review of the process as a result of the recent exit of Eir from the process. While this vote can and will be ignored by the Government, it does rightly point out the failures
“ The delays and problems that have emerged in this scheme seem like just another example of a Government project being delayed or not meeting expectations, but unfortunately this runs much deeper.
“
T
he recent exit of Eir from the Rural Broadband tender scheme, and the subsequent accusations that the process has been mismanaged is not the most interesting material to read about. The topic demands at least a passing understanding of a process that has been ongoing since 2012 and some knowledge of the impact that high speed, or even decent quality internet connections could have to rural Ireland. However, this is perhaps one of the most important infrastructure schemes in the history of the state, and one that directly affects tens of thousands of people around the country, not to mention students from all over Ireland who routinely travel home. The Rural Broadband scheme was first proposed by then Minister Pat Rabbitte and was originally called the ‘National Broadband Plan’. It aimed to bring a minimum standard of internet connection to every home in the state, regardless of location or commercial viability. This would be achieved by identifying those home around the state that were not going to be connected by commercial interests due to them not being cost effective, and then the state funding their connection. The longest part of this process was identifying the houses that were not commercially viable. This was required to ensure an accurate tender could be
of this current system and the need for a re-think. Currently we have a process that only has one competitor, an objective that is unattractive to commercial interests and a Government that seems determined to stay their current course despite the fact that the path is dropping out from underneath them. This problem like all too many is interconnected with the other major issues that our country faces. So long as one can’t get access to a vital utility in large parts of rural Ireland then more and more people will depart for the cities. This reinforces the cycle that is leading to the decline and depopulation across rural Ireland. This population shift to the cities in turn exacerbates our current housing crisis and all the subsequent problems that causes. This cycle needs to be broken at some point, but for that to happen we need a new look at how Government’s deliver projects for the people. No project will be perfect and there is a good chance that they won’t all make their money back, but Government is not a business. It a service for the people and it is time we start treating it as such. p.9
Features.
Is The Abolishment of F1 Grid Girls A Step Too Far? With the removal of grid girls from Formula One Conor Capplis takes a look at whether this move is a move in the right direction or a step too far.
“ The tradition of having smartly dressed female models escort the drivers and advertise their brands is arguably quite backwards today.
“ 13.02.2018
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polarising decision has been made to abolish the long-standing tradition of ‘grid girls’ from Formula 1. Sean Bratches, Managing Director at Commercial Operations at Formula 1, made the announcement on January 31st, causing a huge split in opinion with fans. The move comes just days after the Professional Darts Corporation banned ‘walk-on girls’ from the sport. The practice of models escorting male darts players on to the stage is similar to the role of grid girls in F1. After women’s rights activists pressurised sports organisations to reconsider the place of women in their sport, it seems Formula 1 has decided to follow suit with darts. The question is should this radical change be celebrated by fans worldwide, or is this a step too far for political correctness in 2018? Bratches explained: ‘While the practice of employing grid girls has been a staple of Formula 1 Grands Prix for decades, we feel this custom does not resonate with our brand values and clearly is at odds with modern day societal norms. We don’t believe the practice is appropriate or relevant to Formula 1 and its fans, old and new, across the world.’ The recent announcement has caused quite a stir online, with now former grid girls almost unanimously responding negatively. British model and former Grid Girl, Rebecca Cooper, had this to say on Twitter: ‘F1 gridgirls have been banned. Ridiculous that women who say they are ‘fighting for women’s rights” are saying what others should and shouldn’t do, stopping us from doing a job we love and are proud to do.’ While some may praise this move to develop the motorsport, these women are now either unemployed or have lost a significant percentage of their income. The tradition of having smartly dressed female models escort the drivers and advertise their brands is arguably quite backwards today. We are living in a world where women’s rights is still a very contentious issue. Yet, while there is an objective reality to the issue of how women are employed in our wider society, one’s opinion on the portrayal of grid girls is entirely subjective. It could be argued that with recent revelations from the ‘#metoo’ campaign redefining how we view men and women in our society, there is a jump from organisations to fit in with this politically correct culture in fear of backlash. Unfortunately for F1, there seems to be a backlash for entirely different reasons. The BBC held a poll in December 2017, asking fans whether grid girls should be part of Formula 1, with 60% saying that they should be. This
survey seems somewhat underwhelming considering the magnitude of the decision made. For those that agree with the decision, there is ample justification for it, but when one takes into account the women directly involved and their livelihoods, rather than how these women should be portrayed, the lines between just and unjust become blurred. Charlotte Gash, a part time grid girl spoke to BBC Radio 5 live: ‘It’s upsetting and I’m rather disgusted that F1 have given in to the minority to be politically correct. I’m one of the lucky ones that I don’t rely on this as a main source of income, but there are girls out there who do.’ Whether you agree with the decision to ban grid girls from the sport or not, it is quite clear that the models themselves are not happy at all, demanding us to question the necessity of the controversial call. One could easily mistake grid girls as women who dress fancy and stand in front of the cars, looking good for the fans and drivers, this is a far cry from the truth. There is a rigorous selection process with a very high demand, meaning only the most qualified women will get the job. They act as a medium for sponsors to advertise their brands on the grid and are usually required to speak several languages, acting as translators between people from various countries. Caroline Hall is another former grid girl who also spoke to the BBC, calling for a reform of the role rather than a complete abolishment: ‘I think it’s sad they’ve taken such extreme measures so quickly. I think they could have looked at ways of bringing the role more into line with modern times instead of scrapping it entirely. They could have looked at making it more equal between the sexes in the role.’ It’s doubtful that Formula 1 will backtrack the decision, but one can only hope that more models in the sporting industry don’t lose their jobs as a result of what seems to be a growing movement of political correctness. Personally, I am totally in favour of a reform for how women are seen in Formula 1, but I strongly believe it is the wrong decision to remove the models from their jobs. Through a radical reform of the grid girls’ image and role, and a balancing of genders in the job, it would solve the issue plaguing the sport. It is quite unfortunate that the decision was made to abolish rather than reform, these women have lost their jobs for unnecessary reasons. A call for reform is needed in Formula 1 and across motorsports globally. It seems abolishment has only sorted one problem and created another. p.10
Features.
Positive Psychology: A New Path To Happiness? Senan Tuohy-Hamill
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sychology is a word that is casually thrown around in conversation, and is usually taken to mean the study of the mind, in particular the ‘abnormal mind’. One could be forgiven for thinking that psychology is a discipline that focuses on what is wrong with the human psyche. Much of psychology focuses on erratic behaviours as a result of brain damage, an imbalance of neurotransmitters (brain chemicals), or fundamental flaws in the development of the brain. Psychology students are taught about possible fixes to these problems, and are prepared for a career path that will deal with that small percentage of the population who suffer from severe enough mental distress to warrant a visit to a therapist. www.collegetribune.ie
Dealing with mental distress is what people assume the stereotypical psychologist does, and this assumption is generally correct. Mental health awareness has increased exponentially in the past few years, with the stigma surrounding mental illnesses becoming less and less, but unfortunately still present. An optimistic view of the future is one where mental issues such as depression and anxiety are no longer seen as issues to be pushed under the carpet, but as issues which are instead aired out in the open. It would be a fair guess to say that everyone reading this article knows at least one person who has a mental illness, or who has dealt with one in the past. A mental health utopia is something we should all aim for, with mental disorders and
illnesses being easily treated, as well as easily prevented. But what about the rest of the population who don’t suffer from such acute mental distress? In the past, psychology has been so focused on mental disorders that it has almost overlooked the general mental wellbeing of the average individual. However, in recent years, a new branch of psychology has emerged called positive psychology. This area focuses on increasing the happiness of all humans. Why should we be content with the happiness or lack thereof that we have? There is a huge spectrum of mental difficulties, and even if you don’t qualify as having a mental disorder, there can be all sorts of troubles and stresses that may detract from your quality of life. That’s where positive psychology comes in.
‘Positive psychology
aims to increase our quality of life, to make it as good as it can possibly be, by making us realise our potential for happiness.’
Positive psychology aims to increase our quality of life, to make it as good as it can possibly be, by making us realise our potential for happiness. Martin Seligman, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and Christopher Peterson are the founders who initially developed this branch of psychology. They wanted to move away from the pessimism of the past, with its focus on disorders and illness, and move into an area which promoted happiness, wellbeing and a fulfilling life in the average individual. A key concept of positive psychology is eudaimonia, which is a Greek word that means ‘flourishing’. This means living a life that consists of meaning, development of one’s strengths, and having worthwhile values. All of this contributes to the ‘good life’, a life of wellbeing and happiness. Positive psychology builds on this concept and highlights the factors that contribute to this ‘human flourishing’. Positive psychologists investigate factors such as positive emotions, positive relationships, positive psychological traits, and positive social institutions, all of which can contribute to greater wellbeing and fulfillment in the general populace. Clearly, positive psychology wants to take the application of psychological theory in a new direction. But how does it apply to the everyday life of a normal individual? And how can you take steps to incorporate the findings from positive psychology into your life? Positive psychology interventions (PPI) include things such as forming close relationships with others, general socializing, focusing on one’s strengths and virtues, reflecting on positive past memories, having personal goals, and being grateful to others. In relation to the everyday college student, this means that you should maintain those friendships you have now, join a club or society to meet new people and test your boundaries, focus on what you like about yourself, remember the good times, have meaningful goals, and try to see the good in each day that passes. Life is not always easy, and perhaps by taking these steps, we can learn to cope better with everyday struggles and hopefully become happier and more fulfilled as a result. Other steps people can take to manage their mental health include meditation, physical exercise, walks in nature, and making sure to get plenty of sleep But it must be noted that if you do struggle with serious mental health issues, or even seemingly ‘trivial’ ones, don’t be afraid to talk openly about it. Your mental health is important and is something that should be cultivated and cared for. Talk to your friends about it, talk to a therapist about it, and realise that people are there for you. The mind is not something that is either healthy or isn’t but is something that must be nurtured and cared for. It’s the only one we’ve got! 0731
Features.
#MeToo: Has Ireland Reached Its Tipping Point? Fiona Keaveney Features Writer
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fter The New York Times published an explos i v e report detailing decades of sexual harassment allegations against Harvey Weinstein dozens of women came forward with their own accusations against the Hollywood mogul. Following on from this, a slew of high profile names within the international public eye have been accused of numerous counts of sexual harassment and abuse. The scandal appeared to launch something of an avalanche, with victims speaking out and joining movements such as www.collegetribune.ie
#MeToo and #TimesUp. Over the last few months we have heard reports of Olympic trainer Larry Nassar abusing over 150 women, underage sexual conduct from a senate candidate and sexual harassment at influential charity dinners in London. So how has this movement affected Ireland? Or has it at all? Is it true to say that Ireland, like many other countries, is re-examining itself? Or are we left relatively unaffected by recent revelations, treating them as occurrences generally un-related to our own lives? Ireland has a complex history with regards discussing sexuality of any kind. The Catholic Church’s hold over Irish society spanned many
generations and it was their belief that individuals should not be surrounded by the dangers of immortality that they felt came from modernity. Discussion of sexuality was to be kept strictly private. Repressive legislation governed contraception, homosexuality and the publication and screening of material deemed too explicit by a political and religious establishment. As a result of this, for a long time sexual issues were often deemed taboo and not something to be discussed openly within the public sphere. Sexual assault and sexual harassment fell directly within this category of taboo discussion topics. These rigid attitudes took many years to soften and
for new attitudes to develop. It is only in recent decades that Ireland has become more accepting of open discussions regarding sexuality and issues of sexual abuse and harassment. Despite these developments, are we as a country ready to embrace the global movements such as #MeToo and #TimesUp? Throughout Ireland’s history, the number of reports made regarding instances of sexual assault and harassment has increased. The 2002 report on Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland (SAVI) from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre stated that the number of convictions for sexual crimes was approximately 200 per year in the 1950s and by 1997 had reached approximately 1,000 per year. As shown, it is only in recent years that we see more people coming forward to report these crimes. Despite this, there is always a concern that more cases are going unreported, additionally that there are not enough victims seeking legal redress. Dublin Rape Crisis Centre figures show that only a third of those seeking counselling for adult sexual assault had reported it to the police (36 per cent in 1998/9 and 33 per cent in 1999/2000). This shows that only just over fifteen years ago, many people in Ireland were not inclined to report the sexual crimes they experienced. Has this changed with
the introduction of this new global movement? Fast forward to Ireland now and we are also seeing an explosion of well-known personalities within Irish culture facing repercussions for their own behaviour regarding instances of sexual harassment and assault. In September 2017, radio presenter George Hook came under fire regarding comments made on his show High Noon resulting in official complaints being made to The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI). The comments in question were in which he asked why a young woman who had just met a man in a bar would go back to his hotel room, in the context of a case where a 19-year-old woman alleged she was raped by a former member of the British swim team. Listeners were particularly angered by his suggestion that the victim held a level of responsibility, stating “...but is there no blame now to the person who puts themselves in danger?”. Hook was made apologize on air regarding his ‘inappropriate’ comments. Further repercussions of the comments came when Ireland’s largest hotel group Dalata cancelled its sponsorship of High Noon in protest at the broadcasters’ comments. Newstalk found that they had no choice but to suspend Hook for a prolonged period. This is one example of a high- profile figure within 0731
George H.
Irish culture who was held accountable for his comments regarding sexual assault. Would this have happened so swiftly and vehemently prior to these discussions taking place? I’m not so sure but what I can say it that the attitude within Irish culture has altered, the untouchables amongst us are no longer so. In another serious example, Al Porter, the television host of Take Me Out and radio presenter on Today FM, has also been accused by four fellow performers of numerous incidents of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour. Since the allegations were made on social media, the comedian resigned from his lunchtime slot on Today FM and also stepped aside from his role in the Olympia Panto. In even more recent news, in the last week, the court case has taken place of Ulster and Irish rugby players Stuart Olding and Paddy Jackson. The two men are accused of raping the same woman in June 2016 at a South Belfast property. Both men deny the charges. Whatsapp messages sent between the men along with a graphic description of the alleged rape was heard aloud in court. Olding stated that the event was like ‘a merrygo-round at a carnival’ and that ‘we are all top shaggers’. The woman accusing the rugby players of rape stated 13.02.2018
that ‘rape is a game of power and control.’ and ‘They rely on your silence.’ She further went on to state that ‘It’s not okay. No one should have to go through what I went through.’ This young woman was initially scared to take on ‘All of Ulster rugby’ but was brave enough to report. In the past many well-known public figures who are alleged to have committed these crimes, their particularly high level of power often kept people quiet. The increase in reports of this nature within Ireland itself is evidence that attitudes are indeed changing. So, as we have seen Ireland has joined other countries around the world in entering into a new period. A period that has to potential to alter the future of our gender politics. The outlook is certainly promising. Ireland, a country with such a distinct and difficult history with regards sexuality and discussion of sexual abuse is looking forward with a new openness and determination. Creating a safer and more effective space for victims to come forward and speak about their experiences. Well known public figures that were previously seen as untouchable are no longer viewed as so. Traditionally, many of these high-profile personalities would have been vehemently defended, but the power balance is now beginning to shift. We still have a long way to go but progress is
“ In the past many well-known public figures who are alleged to have committed these crimes, their particularly high level of power often kept people quiet.
”
certainly being made for the better. Out of curiosity I decided to create a small anonymous online survey amongst my male and females friends, ranging from the ages of 21 to 26. I asked them the question, ‘What impact did they feel the movements against sexual harassment and assault had on them?’ 73% of them stated that they felt the recent media stories provoked anger within them. When asked if they felt any positive effect will come from the movement one female respondent stated, ‘I think men growing up in this generation will not see sexual harassment as a manly cool thing they’ll remember that it is a crime and that it ruins lives on both sides’. Another answered ‘It’s given me hope for the future. As a woman in a field dominated by men it’s not uncommon to experience sexual prejudice and harassment… I think it’s changed the power dynamic in the workplace even just a little bit, so that powerful men finally have something to be afraid of, something to make them think before they act.’ Additionally, a third participant conveyed that ‘I went through a similar experience to many of the women who have come out with their stories when I was 20 and I find it quite cathartic to be able to know I’m not alone and that talking about it isn’t shameful.’
When asked if the movements had forced them to change their behaviour in any one, one male friend said “it has prompted me to become more acutely aware of the fact that social acceptability of an action does not always constitute a moral acceptability of the same action. Societal norms need to change for the public mind-set to realign and the MeToo movement, while it’s not without its flaws, is a step in the right direction.” The movement is step in the right direction and it is a movement of empowerment but more importantly awareness. We are denouncing figures we would once upon a time have blindly defended. We are demanding better from those once viewed as untouchable within society. Ireland, like many other countries is having its own moment as it re-examines just exactly what it is going to stand for.
If you have been affected by any of the subject matter in this article please contact some of the following: UCDSU Welfare Officier: welfare@ucdsu.ie Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 1800 778 888 Samaritans 116 123 (ROI) p.13
Music.
Gig In Review:
Gus Dapperton at The Workmans Club Conor Capplis Music Writer
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he dream-pop sensation, Gus Dapperton, is stirring a lot of talk about his music. The 20-year-old singer-songwriter from Warwick, New York has been releasing singles and short EP’s since May 2016, and on February 1st burst onto the stage of The Workmans Club, on the first stop of his European tour. Cheers erupt as the drummer, Tommy, strolls out on stage, starting with a lone beat. He is followed by the bass guitarist as he lays down the iconic riff of Dapperton’s hit song Gum, Toe and Sole. The crowd begins to dance as the synth is added. In a sense of euphoria, Gus himself rocks up onto the stage and wows us with his unique sounding voice, hitting every note with ease. His fashion style is evident again with an iconic bowl hairstyle, and brightly coloured casual clothes. The band behind him are dressed in denim dungarees adding to their new moulded look that Dapperton has pioneered over the past year or so. For an artist with a limited amount of musical material, Gus Dapperton played song after song that got the crowd singing and dancing along. Even in the songs with beautiful yet complex lyrics, the synth provides ample melody for us to sing along to. The bass guitarist gives the band a funky edge infusing it with
the 1980’s style dream synth. Dapperton seems to have struck gold with his musical style, appearance, and his on-stage aura. He takes his jumper and shirt off to cool down, and without warning jumps into the crowd, surfing the screaming fans and enjoying the ecstasy of it all. After clambering back onto the stage, he finishes the 40-minute set with a cover of The Beatles 1963 hit ‘Twist and Shout’. Even though the joy of it all was relatively short lived, the concert was impactful with fans leaving buzzed from what was a genuinely fantastic performance. The venue’s upstairs bar is bustling with fans after the gig, and to everybody’s surprise, the band casually walks in with some drinks and start to chat with their fans. Heads turn in disbelief. Fortunately, Gus Dapperton has not yet reached superstar status, meaning he’s still able to enjoy a drink in a bar without being swamped by fans. Talking to some of the band members, they said that the Irish are ‘the wildest crowd we’ve been to yet’ and ‘very different to the US shows’. The band seemed pretty chuffed with their drinks, as in the US they are still below the drinking age of 21. They hinted at some new material coming soon for fans, which isn’t surprising: Their success to date is phenomenal, and with some more hit singles and a full album, we can expect to be hearing a lot more about Gus Dapperton in the near future.
Album In Review:
No Dogs Allowed Sidney Gish Niall O’Shaughnessy Music Writer
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hile in the midst of doing some research for this review, in order to find some context for the record, it dawned on me that it would be completely needless. No Dogs Allowed exists in its own world of relentless charm and charisma, finding rare eccentricities in pop structures and sensibilities. Which is not say that Sidney Gish isn’t a personal artist, she really overshares, her lyrics are filled with candid anecdotes and reactions. ‘I’m Filled with Steak and Cannot Dance’ details how easily our rational thoughts are disregarded, comparing the act of overeating with allowing an ex to reconnect. On ‘Mouth Log’, she opens up about consistent self-sabotaging decisions, which has left her in a place where she only feels accomplished in‘groups for memes, where everyone fights/And tries to make straight white boys cry’. While these lyrics are clearly painstakingly considered, they are easily missed, because the guitar lines that decorate them are so catchy. The album starts off with a blatant sense of optimism, using chords that could be straight from the opening credits of a children’s TV show (a good thing!). Each of the next four www.collegetribune.ie
tracks contain irresistible hooks and breakdowns, pushing that ii-V-I progression to the most interesting places. The deceptively simple ‘SinTriangle’ is certain to lodge itself into any unsuspecting psyche, and ‘Sophisticated Space’ eases seamlessly into R&B territory, a space in which Gish can manoeuvre just as impressively in. As the record progresses, Gish takes a step back to chew her thoughts slowly. On ‘Persephone’, she comes to terms with past mistakes, using the memories of mispronunciations as the example, and resiliently sets herself up to pre-emptively deal with future ones. While this side of Gish is refreshing, and the abstract subject matter makes for great pub talk, without the bright brilliance of the record’s catchier moments, songs like ‘Persephone’ or ‘Imposter Syndrome’ almost veer into the realm of tedium. Or, from a more optimistic perspective, the high points of No Dogs Allowed are so high that anything short is mediocre. Nonetheless, the first half dozen songs here have proved triumphant enough to lure me back on a daily basis, and don’t be surprised if No Dogs Allowed survives the Internet’s short attention span to feature on 2018 year-end lists.
CT Rating 8/10
An Interview with
Wyvern Lingo
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Adam Bielenberg Music Editor
n the seaside town of Bray, Co. Wicklow, there is a buzzing music scene at the moment. The latest act to emerge from this scene is Wyvern Lingo – a trio consisting of Karen Cowley (keyboard and vocals), Caoimhe Barry (drums and vocals) and Saoirse Duane (guitar and vocals). They are on the brink of unveiling their selftitled debut album. Across a long marmoreal table in Roberta’s, I discussed all things music with Karen and Caoimhe. The band’s history goes back a long time; they met before secondary school and realised each others’ love of music. At this point, they were in awe of classic rock like Led Zeppelin, Thin Lizzy and Fleetwood Mac. Later on, they became avid listeners of nineties Rn’B - ‘we were absolutely fed on Destiny’s Child, Alicia Keys and TLC’. The album is an accumulation of material written over their many years together; Caoimhe remarked that ‘there is a lot to go back to in terms of what makes the best album’. ‘Snow II’ is a rerecording of a track from 2014 while ‘Used’ comes off an EP. Wyvern Lingo’s music has an eclectic authenticity to it. It is a smooth yet complex hybridisation of styles. There is a soulful 13.02.2018
Image Above. Their self-titled album is released on Rubyworks Records on February 23rd. They will play a Tower Records instore gig the same day followed by the album launch show that evening in the Button Factory.
feel to it which sounds sleek and modern. Caoimhe says ‘it’s got the chunky accessible production that a lot of music from the nineties would have had. There is a rock edge to it; I call it alternative pop influenced by rock and Rn’B’. They further described the record as an emotional rollercoaster. But underneath it all, it captures who Wyvern Lingo are as people. While there are political and social messages on the album, they are subtle in a way that depicts the band members’ feelings. According to Caoimhe and Karen, the album is the world as they see it; a collection of their own experiences. ‘There are a couple of songs’ Karen reiterated ‘that happen to address social issues but it’s always through something that has actually happened’. The second single from the album, ‘Out of My Hands’ is about political apathy channelled through a personal experience. Caoimhe added that ‘our music and our vibe is bogged down in sincerity’. They have a podcast on SoundCloud that explains the meaning of the single ‘I Love You Sadie’ – which is nominated for the Choice Song of the Year. In their hometown, Wyvern Lingo were playing gigs aged 16. Karen told me ‘when we were teenagers, there was this big underground gig scene’. As they graced Battle of the Bands competitions, they gained momentum. But what attributes does Bray have that have rendered it such a fruitful location for musical talent? We have already witnessed Fionn Regan and Hozier, who also came from the coastal settlement, gain fame. There is an electric scene, Karen pointed out, in the Harbour Bar which holds small gigs and is the band’s local. Furthermore, Caoimhe had a theory that ‘within Bray, there are a lot of different
terrains. You’re so close to the countryside but then you also have one foot in the city’. Karen believes that the small community helped give the band opportunities. The trio embark upon a headline tour consisting of 22 shows which will see them jump across the pond to the UK and subsequently to Germany. They have gained popularity playing live when they toured with Hozier and James Vincent McMorrow. ‘They are both talented people and their audiences are great’ said Karen. ‘We got massive exposure in the UK’. Caoimhe particularly revelled in supporting McMorrow whose fans were attended by ‘music lovers’. ‘When you go to a James Vincent McMorrow gig you sit down and you listen and we got that response from everyone at his shows’. When recording music, Wyvern Lingo don’t write songs placing an emphasis on how they will sound at prospective live shows. Karen exclaimed ‘we stopped ever thinking that the live aspect should be in your head in the studio. It just should not. You just do what’s right for the song’. Caoimhe continued saying that ‘it’s good to have upbeat songs for sure because you know that that will create an atmosphere when you’re playing them live and you get to jump around the place. But I wouldn’t say we write with that in mind’. The band uses a lot of technology and trickery during concerts; ‘it makes it more exciting for us and more exciting for the audience’. With a sound that will appeal to both music cognoscenti and mainstream audiences, their self-titled album is a polished, well thoughtout piece of work brimming with potential. Wyvern Lingo do look set to become major players in the Irish musical stratosphere. p.15
Film.
Oscar Preview
Darkest Hour
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Ciara Dillon Film Editor t’s interesting that two of the Best Picture nominees for this year’s Academy Awards, both Darkest Hour and Dunkirk, focus around the same moment in history. While Christopher Nolan’s suspense-filled thriller is based in the field, Joe Wright’s biopic focuses on one of the most important weapons in a war – words. The film focuses on Winston Churchill’s wobbly first few weeks in power in Great Britain during the Second World War. Churchill (Gary Oldman) takes on the unenviable task of leading a country during the absolutely crucial stages of war, and must prove to his naysayers that he is capable of such a role, ultimately highlighting the decisions he made that influenced the turn of the war, and his powerful speeches that kept the country going during such a turbulent time. It is hard to support a film that is so blatantly biased in favour of the British Empire. It is especially cruel to us poor Irish to include an incredibly hypocritical scene where Churchill talks passionately about how awful it would be for the Nazis to come in and take over their country and put up their flags (yes, must be terrible!), but it is worth putting that aside and judging the movie for what it is. The general story of the film seems… familiar. It is no easy feat to recreate a story that has been done so many times before, and while Churchill is no doubt an interesting character, there’s only so much reinventing you can do of his story before digressing too far from the truth. The dialogue often felt overwrought, and it would not feel out of place in a TV adaptation of the same story. For the big screen however, it seemed to fall somewhat short, lacking a more natural feel and seeming almost too scripted, which a film should really avoid. However, in terms of cinematography and general filmmaking finesse, Darkest Hour is a real treat, and this is what saves it. Director Joe Wright has an interesting eye for his scenes,
often eliminating all the excess information on the screen to highlight Churchill’s isolation in a given moment, which so successfully conveys how alone he no doubt felt when everything seemed to be going against him. He also succeeded in capturing the almost cramped, busy atmosphere of what parliament must have been like during wartime. While the film mainly focuses on the ‘behind the scenes’ aspect of the war, the camera work for the few war scenes is exceptional. The top down view of explosions manages to keep the audience at a distance from the war, ensuring that the film does not lose its impact as a backstage war film, but still capturing the devastation of these events very effectively. With regards to casting, Gary Oldman was exceptional as Churchill. He was unrecognisable in both appearance, speech and even manner (and no doubt the makeup department for this film are well deserving of any awards they may receive). Oldman is inspiring when he needs to be, funny when he needs to be, and captures the stress that Churchill must have been under wonderfully. He does not convey Churchill as a perfect man, making a special effort to portray his flaws as best as possible, but ultimately his performance packs a punch that I have never seen from Oldman. While he seemed physically less suited to take on the role, his performance is big enough to make the viewer almost forget who we are watching. Overall, if you can put aside the audacious ‘hurrah the British Empire’ attitude that this film makes no attempt to avoid, then it is no doubt an incredibly well made film. While the story is somewhat straightforward and not hugely innovative, Joe Wright’s technical decisions about the film boost it from something you would see on BBC to a solid awards contender. While I doubt the film will be successful against some stiff competition in the Best Picture category, I would be surprised if Gary Oldman is not a frontrunner to scoop the Best Actor in a Leading Role prize.
The Post
Oscar Preview:
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Emily O’Connell Film Writer et in 1971, Steven Spielberg’s latest project The Post, a political thriller written by Liz Hannah and Josh Singer, follows the intense journey of the staff of The Washington Post as they attempt to find and release the Pentagon Papers. The film mainly centres around the publisher of The Washington Post, Katherine Graham (Meryl Streep) and it’s executive editor, Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks). When it comes to light that a confidential report on the vietnam war has been leaked, revealing decades of government secrets, both must
A Deeper Look At:
Black Mirror
Conor Capplis Film Writer www.collegetribune.ie
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decide where their loyalties lie: with their political socialite friends or with the people of America to whom they have a duty, as the leaders of a newspaper, to inform. As essentially a story of the people vs. the government, with themes of feminism and morality and with the message that the free press will prevail and government corruption will be exposed and rectified, The Post is meant to be an uplifting film. Why then does it’s closing leave such a sour taste? While ‘The Post’ presents us with a narrative that serves as a shining example of functioning democracy, it also holds a mirror up to our current society, forcing us to reflect on the current politi-
lack Mirror is a TV show that sees exciting new technological concepts of today turn into nightmares of tomorrow. The anthology series features isolated stories and visions of the future in each episode, leading to exciting and brutal depictions of technology’s dark side. The question is: Is this show just another entertaining blockbuster hit, or does its vision have more sinister roots in what’s to come? Taking its name from switched-off screens of phones and devices, Black Mirror has earned universal international praise. Originally a Channel 4 production, later bought by Netflix in 2015, Black Mirror has taken the streaming service by storm, having just released its fourth season. To define the show by a genre isn’t easy, but there are definitely elements of sciencefiction, thriller and drama; it’s really a combination of many genres, meaning there’s something for everyone. In our everdeveloping society today, it’s easy for one to be swept away in the awe of new and exciting technologies, but take one look at Black Mirror and it’s not hard to come down with a rough case of techno paranoia. 0731
cal situation. The film is laced with references to the absolute power that Richard Nixon attempted to invoke during his presidency. In Robert McNamara’s (Bruce Greenwood) warning to Gradhm he rightly states, ‘Nixon will muster the full power of the presidency, and if there’s a way to destroy you, by God, he’ll find it!’ The looming presence and fear of Nixon throughout the film is all too reminiscent of Trump’s White House. It’s apparent that ‘The Post’ has set out to indirectly highlight the similarities between the two Presidents, however it’s the differences that we notice that are the most harrowing. Where Nixon tries to ban The Washington Post from reporting on him or the White House, Trump
claims that all news broadcasters and reporters who say anything remotely against him are giving ‘fake news’. Where Nixon wants the Pentagon Papers to be kept classified, Trump fires people for investigating the legitimacy of his position and classified and declassified government documents at will and these things are only the tip of the iceberg for Trump. The film only alludes to the watergate scandal at it’s closing but it still serves to remind us how outraged people were when it came out that Nixon was potentially spying on his political opponents. The American government immediately set out to reduce presidential power and Nixon was set to be impeached but resigned first. All I could think once
the film ended was ‘How have things escalated instead of improving?” and ‘How is Trump still sitting in the White House?’ The time period of ‘The Post’ is famous for its political movements, its radical protesting and its people have the power attitude, but what this film shows is that that type of pressure from the public is only useful if the people in power care. Nixon was put on trial because the government didn’t want anymore unrest or bad publicity. The difference now is that the Trump administration don’t care how they come across. They are happy to blatantly lie, to openly disregard human rights and to act inappropriately in any given situation. They want people to know exactly who Trump is, because how
can you take someone who embraces their worst qualities down? A great portion American people have come to accept this behaviour, or at least become complacent to it, and this is a whole article in itself but one thing we can take away from ‘The Post’ is that we need to think about the power of journalism and the media. The impression we get from the film is that Gradhm and Bradlee wanted to print the papers as they felt the government needed to be held accountable for their actions and the people of America deserved to know the truth. The press is made to ‘serve the governed, not the governors’ as is stated as one of the reason they win their court case. I think ‘The Post’ has come at the right time as it reminds us not
to become desensitised towards Trump, to not allow the media to use him for entertainment or shock value and clicks, but to remain radical and to expect prominent news outlets to be aware, to be objective and to work in the best interests of their people. When Trump says or does genuinely awful things very publicly and the media cover it by making fun of him, it can completely take away from the severity of what’s happened. This is a big factor in how he continues to get away with what should be unacceptable things. What ‘The Post’ shows is that American journalism needs to get back to the basics of reporting, of doing research, of taking risks and providing the public with cold hard facts.
Some of the technological concepts featured in the show appear to be exciting fantasies straight out of Hollywood, yet eerily possible in a world in which we continue to push the boundaries of science. The show toys with concepts such as: microchips embedded behind your ears that record all your memories, new virtual reality software that tricks the user into believing that they’re experiencing the game and a piece of technology that allows a doctor to physically feel their patient’s sensations in order to diagnose the problem. Black Mirror usually takes an optimistic approach to each story,
beginning with a short setup of the protagonist and an introduction to the central new technology in the episode that we all know will soon bite back in some glorious disaster. This naïve optimism is quite representative of many of us today when introduced to the latest scientific breakthrough, which in the show is soon followed by the inevitable doom of the protagonist in some shape or form. Most episodes end similar to that of a classic Shakespearean tragedy, with each of the characters being subjected to harsh trials which ultimately end in their physical or mental demise. It’s a warning to society. Though the show has proven
itself to be frightfully entertaining, there is something much more evident in its purpose: while experts around the world race to develop the next big scientific breakthrough, Black Mirror demands us to be cautious and cynical towards its implications. The show insists that we must regulate ourselves, to prevent science-fiction from becoming science-fact. The dangers of technology have never been more real, giving this near-future series an underlying relevance to its audience. Sure, one could simply watch the show for its unique storytelling and beautifully choreographed twists and turns, but one cannot avoid coming away with that core
warning in the back of their mind. Black Mirror is calling out to the world, condemning the nightmares that await us further down the line. Most episodes are set in either the present day or a very near future, which reinforces the assumption that these nightmares are right around the corner. Without dishing out too many spoilers, not every piece of technology in Black Mirror ends up going rogue or destroying its creator. There is a large amount of hope in the latest season, allowing for a fresh sense of relief for its viewers. This decision was made mainly due to show creator Charlie Brooker becoming unsure of the political
climate at the time of its release on Netflix: ‘I genuinely thought, I don’t know what state the world’s going to be in by the time these [episodes] appear, and I don’t know how much appetite there will be for nothing but bleak nihilism.’ Though he acknowledges the change in tone throughout season four, the show’s core message remains. Fortunately for Netflix and Brooker’s team, they seem to have struck gold by achieving the perfect balance between entertainment and forewarning. As George Orwell’s 1984 served as a warning against totalitarianism, Brooker’s Black Mirror firmly asserts itself as a warning against technology.
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Fashion.
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THE HISTORY OF HAUTE COUTURE PLEASE PLACE A BY LINE HERE IN FONT GOTHAM THIN SIZE 14PT WITH LINE SPACING OF 18PT Shannon Doherty Editor Name HereFashion Fashion Writer
IMAGE LEFT Chanel 2018 backstage haute courture vouge
s students, designer fashion looks from the runways are (for the majority of us) WAY out of our budget. Yet when the fashion shows come around we usually find some way to steal the hot trends by finding similar items to recreate those looks for a hundredth of the price. However, when it’s time for the haute couture shows to come around, this recreation is practically impossible. Haute Couture definitely isn’t to everyone’s tastes, because on one hand - why would you want to see pieces that cost more than people’s homes being flaunted down the runway? On the other hand, however, haute couture is definitely the more artistic side to fashion and there is a lot of beauty to be found in this art. Haute couture is the essence of high fashion and it’s catwalks are the image of perfection, down to every last detail. Perfection is probably one of the most prominent features of the beauty of couture, every garment is hand-crafted and the hours put into every piece are boundless. All of the hours taken to make these items add to the exclusivity of the garments as they are custom-made and attention to detail is taken very seriously. The fabrics used are very expensive quality fabrics and can oftentimes include unusual materials or exclusive fabrics which adds to the reasoning behind the hefty price tags of the items. The history behind haute couture comes from none other than the elite class of Parisians, who in the 19th century, went to couture houses to create something that would make them stand out from the rest, something that couldn’t be copied. And so the term haute couture has stuck, coming from the french word “haute” meaning “high” and “couture” meaning “dressmaking”. Only certain fashion houses are deemed “worthy” enough to be couturiers and this is judged by both the Fédération Française de la Couture and the French Ministry of Industry. These have very strict regulations and standards that need to be met in order for a fashion house to be considered a
couturier. This roughly includes offering personal fittings and a made-to-measure clothing service to clients, it also includes having a workshop or an atelier located in Paris which employs over twenty fulltime staff members, as well as presenting two collections per year. Each of which must present at least fifty original designs consisting of both daywear and eveningwear in the months of January and July each year. Some of these couturiers include Chanel, Christian Dior and Elie Saab to name a few. These fashion houses have the finest seamstresses and the most skilled labourers in every single speciality working for them in order to produce their haute couture pieces. Although the original market was French socialites, they are no longer those who purchase these exquisite pieces. Instead, nowadays buyers are from the Middle East, China and Russia. Every year, the haute couture shows are the place to look to get a glimpse of what the A-listers might wear to one of the future red carpet events, which gives exposure to the brand. They can be purchased for a number of reasons but the main reason being that that are collectors’ items, and so, will steadily increase in price over the years which makes for a clever business investment. Although the pricing of these garments are so expensive, it’s very rare that fashion houses ever make any profit from their couture collection. This is entirely due to the prices of the unique materials used as well as the high labour costs. Some of the items can take over seven hundred hours to produce, and so the price has to reflect all of the work that was put into it. As a matter of fact, having a couture line can be seen as a bad business investment in the sense that it doesn’t bring in much money, if any at all. However, it can also be argued that the couture line adds to the exclusive image of the brand which over time would be worth the money loss. This is more than likely the reason that the number of couturiers has decreased dramatically over the years. Houses such as Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent, Lanvin, Carven are a few of the many former members of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture.
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Becca Opal
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Charlotte Tilbury Very Victoria
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Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette
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The Ordinary Coverage Foundation
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Fashion.
W THE BEST BEAUTY PRODUCTS OF 2018 PLEASE PLACE A BY LINE HERE IN FONT GOTHAM THIN SIZE 14PT WITH LINE SPACING OF 18PT Fiona Keaveney Fashion Writer
elcome to a brandnew year. Its February, congratulations you made it! January 2018 has been deemed by many to have been the longest month in human existence. Just joking, but it really was a drag. We are all most likely at a point where we are in the process of shedding, or attempting to shed those last few Christmas 2017 pounds, or Christmas 2016 pounds if we are being honest. We are also beginning to loosen our purse strings ever so slightly as our financials recover from the hectic and busy Christmas and New Year period. We are back to college and our lecturers have already handed out our next assignment deadlines. It’s a fresh start once again and we make the promise to ourselves that this year, we are going to spread out our course work evenly. (Promises, promises) So what better way to treat yourself for making it to February –because of course we need an excuse – than to pick up some of the best beauty products from 2017. Lucky for you, I have compiled a list to make it all easier.
LIPSTICK AND LIP LINER There’s only one queen in this category, and her name is Charlotte Tilbury. Ms. Tilbury has created the perfect lipstick and lip liner formula in my humble opinion. Her matte revolution lipsticks have it all. The pigment, the packaging, the staying power. Don’t let the matte part scare you, they don’t look drying when applied on the lips. My favourite shade is Very Victoria which is named after the one and only Victoria Beckham. It is a subtle nudey taupe colour that goes with everything. These lipsticks are priced at €32 each and can be found at Brown Thomas or BT2. Underneath I like to wear the famous petal pink lip liner she created aptly named Pillow Talk. The lip liners will set you back € 22. This combination gives you a beautiful full lip without having to look into any of those dodgy lip injections. For budget lip products, my favourite brand has always been Kiko. Kiko is an Italian beauty brand with the majority of its shops on the continent but it ships internationally to Ireland. The lipsticks have all the great colours and designs that you find in more higher end products but at a fraction of the price. Their Smart fusion lipstick costs only €3.95. The shade 404 Rosy Biscuit looks particularly enticing…
FOUNDATION For this category I have picked my favourites from the budget and high-end category. My favourite high-end foundation in 2017 goes to the Yves Saint Laurent All Hours full coverage foundation. This retails for €44 and can be found at all YSL counters in department stores such as Brown Thomas. This foundation does have a high coverage but it stays put on my oily skin all day (or all hours), which is something I look for in particular. As someone who generally only applies foundation once a day, I want it to last as long as possible. That being said, I have used foundations in the past that have promised to achieve this aim but I end up looking like the term ‘cake-faced’. This foundation gives you the coverage but you still can see your natural skin underneath. In the budget category comes from the brand The Ordinary and it’s called their Coverage foundation. This little beauty retails for €6.80 and can be easily found online via Irish website Cloud 10 beauty or via The Ordinary’s website. This provides a great coverage on the skin but doesn’t have quite the same staying power as the YSL option and looks that little bit more natural. However, for the price difference it is a steal!
EYESHADOW: There is only one eye-shadow palette that I repeatedly reach for because for me, it has it all. Take a bow, the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette. Possibly the only item I will ever own that has some connection to Beverly Hills, but this palette is so good, I’m okay with that. For days when you want something a little simpler it has three neutral lighter shades with lots of warm browns and tans for shading in the crease. If you fancy making things a little bit more dramatic, it has lots of darker, more vampy purple shades in there too. You can buy this online for the price of €50 at Beauty Bay. Wow, that’s pricey. I’m going to self-justify here and tell you all that they also include a free make-up brush inside the palette. Feel better? Yep, totally. For something with a price that doesn’t make me cringe so much, look to Morphe. The brand sells palettes for around €25 that include thirty-five beautiful colours. The 350 palette is a constant sell-out and can also be found on Beauty Bay.
CONCEALER My pick for concealer is easy, unfortunately it’s a little trickier to get your hands on. This concealer hails from the American brand Tarte and is called the Shape Tape concealer. It retails for €26 on the official Tarte website but I also found it sneakily on the QVC UK website. Who knew they sold useful stuff eh? This concealer hides all manners of nastiness. Been pulling an all-nighter? Use this concealer. Just been broken up with and your eyes are alarmingly red and puffy? Use this concealer. Wound up in Coppers with no recollection of it? Use this concealer. If the price tag is a little too steep for you, word on the street is that Make-up Revolution have a dupe called the Conceal and Define concealer that comes in at about €5 at Superdrug. It’s on my list.
CHEEKS: For my cheeks, I do love highlighter and have on occasion gone slighter overboard. I always reach for the Becca highlighter in the shade Opal. This is my ride or die product for making me feel special. The Becca highlighter has just the right amount of shimmer for everyone to know you have highlighter on, but not too much that you look like a moving disco ball. I sweep this over the tops of my cheek bones so that they stand out when the light hits them. You only need a tiny bit so it will last forever. Be wary of travelling with it however as it can easily shatter as it is so delicate. This can be picked up from Space NK on Grafton Street and sells for about €37. An amazing more budget friendly dupe for these kinds of highlighter can be found at Boots from the brand Sleek Makeup. Their Solstice highlighter palette contains four different pigmented highlight colours and is priced at €13.50.
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Arts.
In the Loop
Arts & Events Editor Holly Lloyd
Conversation About Cultures of Naming with Nicoline van Harskamp
The Project Arts Centre will host ‘Englishes’ , a solo exhibition by Nicoline Van Harskamp, from 15th February to 31st March. Van Haskamp is looking for public engagement in order to research for her next project, a live performance due to take place in October of this year. Her project is around the issue of naming, and she will be holding two public conversations to discuss this issue, both held in the studio 6 temple bar Gallery and studios, 16th February 7-9pm and 21st February 7:30-9pm, both free of charge. The performance entitled ‘Who Is Your Name’ will reflect stories from all over the world and will take the form of monologues, accounts and musical improvisation. It will discuss the meaning of names across cultures, religions and nationalities, and how they differ from everyday words.Those who would like to take part can sign up by email to gallery@projectartscentre.ie
True Romance At The Sugar Club We all know this 1990’s modern classic of a prostitute and a comic book nerd who fall in love. It’s not your typical Rom Com, or your old hollywood pristine romance, but it is just as endearing. The Sugar Club are making a night of St Valentines celebrations with ‘The Lovers Edition’, and are doing what they do best by totally immersing their audience in mood of the film. There will be plenty of fantastic food and drink to go along with a True Romance soundtrack, all before the screening of the movie. Tickets €12.50 plus booking fee. February 14th 9pm.
Suffragist City
Tatty Green Lampshade by Cliodhna Timoney
The Eight Gallery will present a new work by Cliodhna Timoney from 8th-16th February. Timoney’s work makes reference to pop culture, music and history of art through her translating forms of visual art. The base of sketching and drawing is researched on both soundscape levels and visual levels, and ultimately turned into sculptures, with the aim of creating an entertaining, playful space. From 6-8pm. www.collegetribune.ie
This year marks 100 years since the Representation of the People Act was passed. It’s considered the greatest milestones hit by the suffragette cause. It enabled certain women over the age of 30 to vote, and paved the way or all women to vote a decade later. As well as this the Parliament (Qualifications of Women) Act came into effect in 1918, allowing women aged 21 (the same age as men) to stand for election to the House of Commons. Countess Markievicz was the first women elected, but declined to take her seat as a member of Sinn Fein. To honour the achievements of these women, Dublin City Library are currently holding an exhibition which will run until the end of February. It will tell these women’s incredible stories. 0731
The Artists’ Suffrage League
The Suffragette movement was a testimony to how protesting and resilience can truly make a difference. The women of the suffragist era took on incredible demonstrations with little fear of breaking the law, all in desperation to campaign for their right to vote, so much so that they were often regarded as ‘militant campaigners’. Women were willing to become martyrs for their cause, Emily Davison being the most famous example when she jumped in front of King George’s horse at Epsom. Apart from these large demonstrations that were so essential to the cause. The artwork and posters that accompanied these marches and demonstrations and were present in the media were a smaller aspect but just as crucial to the movement.
The Flames of Paris The Lighthouse Cinema will broadcast the Bolshoi Ballets’ live production of The Flames of Paris’ .This ballet is based on the French revolution, and a lot of the plot is taken from the book Les Marceliers by Felix Gras. It follows sibling Jeanne and Jerome who leave Marseilles for Paris and encounter love along the way. This ballet, created in the 1930’s is known for its outstanding technicality and vivaciousness, all to represent the feeling of the revolutionaries during the time. Showing 4th March at 3pm.
Keep Not Silent, Temple Bar Duke Special Belfast singer-songwriter Duke Special will play at the Unitarian Church Dublin on Saturday 24th February at 19:30. His sound of alternative pop, rock and folk, combined with his vaudeville, playful influences will perfectly accompany the inspiring setting of the Church. His new album Hallow is based on the poetry of Belfast poet Michael Longley,and is curious and playful. Tickets €22.00 13.02.2018
As part of the Qlub Season 8 No Victim, LGBTQ experience around the world, ‘Keep Not Silent’ will be screened in The New Theatre, Temple Bar. Keep not Silent follows the story of three lesbians in Jerusalem who face different situations,oppression and persecution in the eyes of their religion but are all part of a common group, the OrthoDykes, a group created for Orthodox Jewish women who are homosexual. Documented and directed by Ilil Alexander, it won the Israeli Academy award for best documentary in 2004. Saturday 17th February, 14:00-16:00, Tickets €8.00.
The Artists’ Suffrage League was established in 1907 and lasted until 1918. It placed its emphasis on using its art as propaganda. It began as an aid to the Mud March 1907, yet continued on after this and became an essential part of creating visuals for the suffragette cause in the form of posters, banners, christmas cards and postcards. This new wave of posters and cartoons from a woman’s point of view in order to push for acknowledgement of their rights was a first, and often regarded as the first major stage in promoting feminism until the burst of feminist art in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Mary Lowndes (1856-1929) was the chair of the ASL. Having trained at the Slade School of Fine Art, Lowndes went on to design stained glass windows and having founded ‘Lowndes & Drury’ in 1897 and ‘The Glass House’ in 1907, she created a huge body of work with designs featured in churches all over England. Lowndes’ stained glass training had a huge influence on the composition of the posters, maintaining strong colours and shapes, with striking contrasts of orange, blue, green and magenta, as various groups identified with different colours despite green white and purple being the most recognised of these.
These posters were an opportunity to get a political message across with strong messages , wit, dominant female profiles and audacious scenes in which women were portrayed as the better sex. The ASL was a body of talented artists and illustrators of who could combine their artistry with politics to achieve recognition. p.23
LifeStyle.
Honey: A Timeless Treasure LifeStyle Writer Mallika Venkatramani takes a look at the history of honey and explores the medicinal aspects of this sweet treat.
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hat lasts forever and never goes foul? Love? While that may be true, the correct answer to that question is honey! While most of us know that honey is great in smoothies, porridge and for relieving sore throats, we are learning more and more about this superfood as time goes by. This humble liquid has stood the test of time as one of the most crucial substances to humankind and we will see the various roles it has played over the millennia. ‘I take Thee to wife…and promise to deliver to Thee yearly twelve jars of honey,’ stated one marriage contract of a groom in Ancient Egypt to his wife-to-be. It could have been that she was a huge fan of honey but the real reason for the gift was that honey was once a treasured and revered substance, signifying sweetness and eternity. In Ancient Egypt, honey was used as a medicinal substance for preventing miscarriages and for the healing of surgical wounds. It was also of spiritual significance, an important oblation that was offered to the gods. Ramses III, a pharaoh, was said to have offered 21, 000 jars of honey to Hapi, the Nile god. Honey was also an indispensable beauty product– Cleopatra’s most famous beauty secret was her milk and honey bath, a technique used in different forms by many women today. In ancient China, honey was considered neither yin (cooling) nor yang (heating) – a neutral substance that had a neat balance of heating and cooling properties. It was regarded an effective medicine and was used in wine by the royals. Li Shizhen, the author of the classic Chinese traditional medicine book Compendium of Materia Medica, believed that the regular consumption of honey led to clear vision and rosy cheeks. Versatile indeed! Similarly, in Ancient India, honey has been elaborated in Ayurveda
(traditional Indian medicine system) as a medicinal food item used in healing various diseases, from diabetes to worm infestation. It was, and still is, used in religious ceremonies and marriages as part of various rituals. Interestingly, the Kamasutra, an ancient Hindu text on the art of love and passion, lists honey as an important aphrodisiac! Ireland also has a long history with honey. Mead, a type of wine sweetened with honey, is a traditional Irish treat. Honey existed in abundant supply in Ireland due to the large number of bees that scoured the vast lands of orchards and woods. Early Irish people designed special laws, the Bech Bretha, exclusively for the protection of bees. Stealing a hive was even punishable by death! Other laws stated that if one was stung by a bee and did not retaliate, he or she would be treated to a honey meal from the beekeeper as compensation! Beekeeping was an important activity that both the clergy and common people alike were involved in. Today, the honey remains an important product. It is widely incorporated in meals due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and immuneboosting properties. Many opt for honey as their preferred sweetener. Like in Cleopatra’s time, it is still used as a natural face and hair mask, due to its humectant and nourishing properties. Singers use warm honey tea to soothe their voices and it is commonly used as a cold and cough remedy. Unfortunately, bees in many parts of the world do not have the level of access to trees and orchards as they did a century ago, due to deforestation and environmental degradation. Bees manufacture honey and they are the most important pollinators in the environmental world. Without bees, numerous ecosystems would collapse. Bees and honey are important assets to humankind and we ought to cherish them, they have been an important part of our history and continue to play important roles in our lives today.
LifeStyle Loves
Yoga On Campus
Going Up
Ciara Landy Lifestyle Editor
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ommitting to the ancient Indian practice of yoga can reap numerous emotional, physical and cognitive benefits. After just one class, yogis can experience reduced stress and anxiety levels, improved brain function and increased flexibility. Yoga strengthens the mind-body connection which can help improve personal body image, emotional regulation as well as promoting feelings of psychological self-efficacy. Over time, and through continuous practice, yoga can help reduce blood pressure, chronic back and neck pain and improve lung capacity and overall muscle tone. If you have suffered a concussion or a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), yoga can be of particular assistance, aiding physical and mental rehabilitation and positively impacting a practitioner’s overall quality of life as they adapt to their injury.
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A recent review, published in the Clinical Psychology Review, suggests that practicing mindfulness may help to interrupt or prevent craving cycles associated with the abuse of food, drugs, cigarettes and alcohol.
Coffee Angel The independent Dublin coffee chain will now donate 20c to Friends of the Earth every time a Coffeeangel KeepCup is used to purchase a coffee in any of their shops, as part of their ‘#YourCupOurFuture’ initiative. Coffeeangel KeepCups are available to purchase in store and online, with prices ranging from €18-20.
Lidl Special Offers
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Committing to the ancient Indian practice of yoga can reap numerous emotional, physical and cognitive benefits.
If you don’t fancy using a communal mat or wish to practice at home, Dunnes Stores have produced a range of yoga mats, all €12 , for the new year.
Ireland’s Processed Food Problem
Leggings
When practicing yoga it is important to wear nonrestrictive and comfortable clothing. Lululemon produce high-quality and long-lasting yoga gear but their range is out of budget for the average college student. For cheaper alternatives, check out H&M’s sportswear range, pictured above are H&M’s yoga tights (€27.99) versus Lululemon’s ‘Fast as Light Tight’ (€118) Specialist yoga menswear can often come with a hefty price tag, but these ‘Slim Fit Leggings’ are a good alternative and are just €15 from Dunnes Stores.
Keep an eye out for affordable hiking and outdoor gear this week in Lidl (available from the 8th of February), such as these ‘Crivit Lightweight Men’s Trekking Jacket[s]’ (€19.99) and their range of 30l hiking rucksacks which will set you back just €14.99!
Going Down
Get The Gear
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Luckily, UCD Gym offers free beginner and intermediate yoga classes at various times throughout the week – be sure to check the UCD Gym timetable on SisWeb for this week’s times! If you fancy taking things to the next level by trying your hand at hot Bikram yoga, Dublin City Bikram offer €10 off-peak, drop-in classes for students in their city centre studio (located above Starbucks on Drury Street), and offer a 10% discount for students purchasing monthly unlimited sessions.
Mindfulness
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A recent study in the Journal of Public Health and Nutrition ranked Ireland as the third highest consumer of ultra-processed foods among 19 European countries, with ultra-processed food items making up 45.9% of the average Irish shopping basket.
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If you want to stay at a hotel or try a new restaurant maybe just pay for it? p.25
Science.
It’s All About the Blockchain
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Sean Mooney Science Writer
n 1999, economist Paul Krugman said, ‘By 2005 or so, it will become clear that the Internet’s impact on the economy has been no greater than the fax machine’s.’ Krugman’s error was not underestimating the potential of the Internet, it was conflating that technology’s potential with the dot-com bubble. Many are making a similar mistake today. While cryptocurrency markets possess all the hallmarks of a bubble, the underlying technology – the blockchain – could still have the power to transform our world. Cryptocurrencies are a monetisation of blockchain and just one potential use for this technology. Blockchain technology relies on peer-topeer networks which means that transactions can take place between directly parties without an intermediary. Even on the Internet today, most of transactions require a middleman, in the form of a bank or other financial body. Using blockchain, people can interact directly because each transaction is verified by users around the world and recorded digitally on a public ledger. New transactions can be appended to the ledger, but older transactions cannot be erased. The fact that this ledger is distributed across the network and because it is effectively unhackable means that it is impossible to defraud or retroactively alter. At present, information can be transferred around the world instantaneously because when you send a file to someone, you are sending a digital copy. A value transaction, such as payment between banks on different continents, is still slow and expensive as you cannot send a duplicate, so intermediaries handle the transaction. Using blockchain, people will have the capacity to conduct value transactions, such as trading stocks, intellectual property, or music, with the same fluidity with which information transactions like sending emails and sharing images are conducted today. Someone can send you an asset and the fact that you are now the owner is written to the public ledger. Such value transfers are permanent, and instantaneous. This versatility will allow us to move from our current Internet of information to what is known as the Internet of value. Value will move around the world as information does and it has potential for a wide range of industries. The Government of India is trailing the use of a blockchain to combat land fraud. Several companies are attempting to apply blockchain technology to voting as it is more secure than current electronic voting systems. Health records for over a million citizens of Estonia are stored on distributed databases. Another rich possibility is that of smart contracts, which utilise blockchain to selfexecute automatically when certain conditions are met. For example, you can arrange to sell a laptop using a smart contract stored www.collegetribune.ie
Lab Grown Love: A Study in Intimacy Aífe McHugh Science Editor
on a public ledger. It will automatically pay you when the laptop arrives at the buyer, providing efficiency and transparency while doing away with the need for a middleman such as eBay. The decentralised nature of blockchains can empower people too. Regarding music, Spotify have been criticised for unfairly compensating artists hosted on the platform. This could be addressed by new artist-friendly business models based on blockchain where a musician is paid directly every time you listen to their song anywhere. From songs to films, blockchain can result in more direct and transparent royalty payments. Like all new technologies, blockchain is not without its flaws. Since its use is not widespread today, there could be scalability challenges ahead. Secondly, an uneditable ledger is both a blessing and a curse as errors are impossible to amend. Smart, self-executing contracts are efficient but real-world contracts often have some flexibility. For example, you could have to pay your car tax before your smart-contract with the government executes, thereby unlocking your electric car over the Internet. This sounds fair until you are presented with an emergency. Issues such as these, however, are implementation challenges as opposed to unsolvable problems. Overall, the decentralised nature of blockchain means it will not be going anywhere. The World Economic Forum agree, predicting that 10% of global GDP will be stored on blockchain technology by 2025. For blockchain, there is no bubble to pop.
I
n the late 1990s, Professor Arthur Aron of Stony Brook University faced a dilemma. He wanted to sttudy love. A psychologist fascinated with human intimacy, he was facing a serious roadblock – how do you compare two relationships? One pair might be in the deepest and most passionate love within weeks of meeting, another might live together for decades without getting that close. Some people display love gaudily and grandly but barely feel it, others would sacrifice everything for people they barely speak about. People lie to others and themselves about their feelings, particularly when there is a scientist probing them about it. Even when you get someone in off the street to participate in your research, how can you know they’re feeling the kind of love you want to investigate? In face of all these complexities, Professor Aron tried a simple solution – to create
human intimacy under lab conditions. Aron took some undergraduates and asked them some very personal questions – Were they in a relationship? Were they religious? Political? What attitudes were important to them? They filled out personality questionnaires and described the nature of their closest relationships. Then they were paired up. Some pairs were created to be antagonistic – extroverts vs introverts, emotionally secure versus insecure, people who disagree about things they rated as very important to them. The aim of the study was to see which of these pairings developed intimate feelings for each other over the course of a carefully constructed conversation. The pairs were given envelopes of questions and told to answer them, as honestly as was comfortable with this total stranger. Over the following fortyfive minutes, participants found themselves revealing things they’d never said
aloud to another person. The questions started easy, Given the choice of anyone in the world, who would you have as a dinner guest? But grew continually more intense, Is there anything that you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven’t you done it? until participants were answering questions like Of all the people in your family, whose death would you find most disturbing? Why? After answering all the questions, participants were asked to stare into one another’s eyes for four minutes. Most of the participants answered all questions, and most of them ended up liking their participant partner very much. It made no difference whether the participants disagreed on important issues, it made no difference if the participants had much in common, it made no difference whether participants were told in advance that they 0731
Section.
How to Hack Your Habit
I
had been paired with someone they would be expected to like. Right after the study, the participants were asked to rate how close they felt to their participant partner. These ratings were compared to ratings other students had given of their closest relationships, and the results were very surprising. Not only did the study find no barrier to affection developing, on average the participants in this study felt as close to their participant partner as 30% of similar college students felt about the closest, most important relationship in their lives. So that’s what it takes to fall in love – to learn some increasingly personal details about someone and tell them about yourself in turn. This study is particularly interesting as it overturns much of what we thought we knew about love – that people are 13.02.2018
attracted to like-minded individuals, and people they have things in common with. This study shows us that we aren’t more likely to fall in love with these people, we’re just more likely to give them the time of day. There’s some debate to be had about whether lab-grown love is ‘real’. This study didn’t ask loyalty or commitment of its participants. Forty-three percent of the people who took part never talked to their participant partner again. But the closeness these people felt to one another felt as real to them as the closeness any of us feel for our ‘real’ friends, family, and partners. For anyone feeling lonely this Valentine’s Day, it might be nice to know that you’re only forty-five minutes and thirty-six questions away from experiencing the closest connection you’ve felt in your life. At least for a little while.
Danielle O’Rourke Science Writer
t is the beginning of February, and chances are most people have given up on g their New Year’s Resolutions. Every year it happens. Why is it so difficult to build a new habit? Well, first we need to define what a habit is. While different definitions are used in different situations, the strict neurological definition is that a habit is a response that is associated with a stimulus, acquired from reinforced learning. Our understanding of what underlies habit formation in animals has come on in leaps and bounds in recent times. The main brain areas involved in stimulusresponse, or habitual, behaviour, include the substantia nigra and the basal ganglia. The activity of dopamine sensitive (or ‘dopaminergic’) neurons in these regions reinforce certain behaviours, or routines, after registering a stimulus, or trigger. Researchers have studied this process in rats by looking at the activity of different pathways in the brain while the animal navigates a maze to find some food. The
opening of a gate to a maze coincides with a stimulus, usually a sound, and the rat wanders around the maze, using spatial cues to find where the food is. If the rat is guided to turn, say, left, to find the food, over time it will start to automatically turn left without referring to many spatial cues, instead relying on its learned behaviour. The rat now has a habit of turning left. Even if the food has been moved to the other wing of the maze, or removed altogether, the rat will still turn left. Monitoring the brain during this process shows that once the rat has formed a habit of turning left to find food, the dopaminergic activity spikes, coinciding with the sound, but then there is a notable lapse in activity until the rat finds the food This suggests that the rat is on autopilot during the maze, paying no attention to spatial cues, acting on habit. Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit, has gone in depth into the science behind habit building and maintaining. He has shown that this initial cue, the sound in this case, is the key to performing the habit-
ual behaviour, regardless of if the reward is still there or not. You might not like the idea of comparing yourself to a rat in a maze, but this research can be incorporated into our own lives. How many times have you went to make tea for someone else but, due to habit, accidentally made it how you take it instead? By recognising the stimuli that trigger our habits, we can train our brain to associate them with the automatic response. Creating an association between a stimulus and a response helps us to build a habit. It is easier to start going to the gym right after your last class on a Wednesday than it is to ‘start going to the gym’. Like the rat in the maze, you will eventually just do it on autopilot. So, by being aware of your routines and anchoring new habits to a specific situation or time of day, it is easier for your brain to make these habits automatic. This stimulusresponse association is the key to making habits last, so use this to your advantage to get back on track with your New Year’s Resolution.
‘The aim of the study was to see which of these pairings developed intimate feelings for each other over the course of a carefully constructed conversation.’
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Gaeilge.
Caighdeán na Gaeilge ag Dul in Olcas i mbunscoileanna Erin Nic An Bhaird Eagarthóir Gaeilge
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e réir tuarascáil chigireachta ón Roinn Oideachais a foilsíodh ag tús na seachtaine seo, tá caighdeán theagasc na Gaeilge i mbunscoileanna na hÉireann ag dul in olcas. Rinneadh beagnach 5,000 tuairisc chigireachta idir Mí Éanair 2013 agus Mí Meitheamh 2016, agus clúdaíodh idir bunscoileanna agus meánscoileanna ar fud na tíre. Ar an drochuair, ó bhí an tuarascáil chigireachta deireanach a rinneadh ceithre bliain ó shin, tá caighdeán na foghlama agus an teagaisc tar éis laghdú i bunscoileanna. De réir an taighde, bhí caighdeán na foghlama ‘míshásúil’
i gceathrú de na ranganna Gaeilge. Tá an chodarsnacht idir na hábhair le feiceáil go soiléir sna torthaí seo a leanas: i 28 faoin gcéad de scoileanna, bhí caighdeán an teagaisc agus na foghlama sa Gheilge ‘níos lú ná sásúil’ – ní raibh an caighdeán chomh olc sin sa Bhéarla nó sa mhata in ach 7% agus 4% de scoileanna, faoi seach. I meánscoileanna na tíre , faraor, cé go bhfuil dúshláin ann fós maidir le teagasc agus foghlaim na Gaeilge, tá feabhas tagtha ar an gcaighdeán ó bhí an tuarascáil chigireachta deireanach. É sin ráite, níl cúrsaí Gaeilge chomh sásúil is a bhfuil cúrsaí mata agus Béarla – tuairiscítear nach raibh ach 28% de
cheachtanna sa Ghaeilge ‘an-mhaith’, i gcomparáid le 34% sa Bhéarla agus 41% sa mhata. Tá seans maith ann go raibh tionchar ag an straitéis náisiúnta chun feabhas a chur ar litearthacht agus uimhearthacht i measc daoine óga ar na torthaí seo. Moltar nach mór níos mó deiseanna a thabhairt do pháistí cumarsáid a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge, agus go gcabhródh rannphár-
taíocht gníomhach agus comhoibriú sna ranganna le múinteoirí dul i ngleic leis an bhfadhb seo. Rud eile gur féidir cabhrú leis an bhfadhb ná leas a bhaint as teicneolaíocht sna seomraí ranga. Tá súil ag an Roinn Oideachais go dtiocfaidh feabhas ar an scéal go luath, go háirithe leis an gcuraclam nua a tháinig isteach an bhliain seo caite, chomh maith le hacmhainní nua atá á fhorbairt acu do
theagasc na Gaeilge faoi láthair. Rud faoi leith atá spéisiúil a d’aithin Tuarascáil an Phríomhchigire ná go mbíonn raon éagsúil scileanna teanga in aon seomra ranga amháin, agus cruthaíonn sé seo deacrachtaí don teagasc agus don foghlam dár ndóigh. Ní mór do mhúinteoirí seo a choinneáil i gcuimhne agus iad ag pleanáil do na ceachtanna Gaeilge. Rud eile iontach tábhachtach atá soiléir ón taighde seo ná, cé go bhfuil an córas nua do Ghaeilge na hArdteiste (ina bhfuil 40 faoin gcéad de na marcanna ag dul don bhéaltriail) i bhfeidhm le ocht mbliana anois, fós níl daltaí meánscoile compórdach ag labhairt na Gaeilge. An raibh dea-scéal ar bith le fáil ón tuarascáil seo? Bhuel, cé gur ‘mórábhar imní’ é an scéal seo, de réir na tuarascála tá caighdeán ard ann i scoileanna Éireannacha go ginearálta… ach is léir go bhfuil níos mó oibre le déanamh ag an Roinn Oideachais maidir leis an nGaeilge.
Tá na Meáin Shóisialta ag Cruthú Sochaí Frithshóisialta Lorraine De Staic Eagarthóir Gaeilge
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é go bhfuil sé deacair le creidiúint, bhíodh am ann tráth ina raibh ar dhaoine labhairt aghaidh ar aghaidh chun fiú an chumarsáid is bunúsaí a dhéanamh le chéile. Ní hamháin nach raibh na meáin shóisialta acu, ach ní raibh fón póca ag an gcuid is mó dóibh. Samhlaigh ar feadh nóiméid é, gan bheith in ann fáil amach cén cuma a bhí ar dhinnéar Katie aréir, nó conas a mothaíonn máthair Hannah faoi na Kardashians 2.0......cuireann sé mearbhall orm chun na fírinne a insint.’ Seo mar a bheidh sliocht de chuid scríobhneoir ré na meáin shoisialta má leanaimid orainn mar atá faoi láthair. Sa lá atá inniu ann, tá an duine óg ag caitheamh, ar an méan, níos mó ama i ndomhan na meáin ná mar atá siad á gcaitheamh sa fíorshaol. Marachtálann siad sa chibeardhomhan ar nós carachtar ó cluiche Sims. Tá siad in ann a gcuma, a bpearsantacht agus beagnach gach uile cuid dá saol a ionramháil i gcibé bhealach gur mhiste leo. Níorbh aon dochar iad na nósanna seo nuair a thosaigh na meáin amach i dtosach, ach de réir mar a druideann am ar aghaidh, is léir go bhfuil tionchar diúltach á n-imirt ag na nósanna seo ar fhorbairt scileanna shóisialta díobh siúd *a cleachtaíonn iad. Is minic a feictear i mbialann mar shampla; máthair, athair, déagaóir, páiste, iad go léir amuigh ar son dinnéir clainne a roinnt le chéile. Sé an rud iarónta faoin suíomh seo ná go gcaitheann siad níos mó ama i gcomhludar daoine eile le linn an bhéile ná mar a gcaitheann siad i dteannta a chéile. www.collegetribune.ie
Mar ‘aoieanna’ eile ag an mbord bíonn; buachaill cara Megan, ceannaire an athair, John a oibríonn sa bheár, Betty ó thíos an bhóthair, Cáit a dhéanann an máthair íoga léi agus cibé Youtuber is déanaí atá an páiste gafa leo. Ba í aidhm na meáin shóisialta chun daoine a tharraingt níos cóngraí le chéile, ach tá an cuma ar an scéal go bhfuil ag éirí leo a mhallairt ar fad a bhaint amach. Le linn an béile hipitéiseach seo, bheadh sé réasúnta glacadh leis go mbeadh thart ar deich abairt mallartaithe idir an ceathrar acu (agus sin má ghlactar le ‘Salann le do thoil’ mar abairt cheart!) Cloisimid go minic faoi na forbairtí atá á dhéanamh le róbait, agus go mbeidh siad ag glacadh páirte sa ghnáth saol sula mbíonn 2030 buailte linn. Faoin am sin áfach, tá an seans ann go mbeimid féin níos cosúil le róbait ná mar a bheimid cosúil lenár muintir a bhí ann romhainn. Is iad cinn de na príomh rudaí nach bhfuil róbait in ann déanamh ná caidrimh a chuthú le chéile, agus mothúcháin a léiriú i suíomhanna sóisialta. De réir mar a chailleann daoine na cumais seo, is giorra a éirímid i gcosúlacht le róbat cliste. Is sinn ag caitheamh níos mó ama sa chibearshaol chuile lá, cé chomh fhada is a bheidh go dtí go mbímid a maireachtáil sa domahin sin amháin, sáite chomh deimhin sin ann nach mbeidh an deis againn filleadh i gceart ar an bhfíorshaol arís? Tá sé go mór i mbéal an phobal go bhfuil ár domhain nádúrtha á scroiseadh againn trí faille, ach caithfimid tabhairt faoi ndeara go bhfuil seasmhacht ár sochaí i mbaol de bharr ár bhfaille freisin. 0731
Law.
Data Protection Bill Published by Government Daniel Forde Law Editor
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he Government has published the Data Protection Bill 2018 which will sign into the law the new EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The GDPR, which will enter into force on the 25th May, has been enacted with the purpose of giving individuals greater control over their own data. Similarly the Data Protection Bill 2018 will hopefully modernise Ireland’s data protection laws. Minister for Justice, Charlie Flanagan and Minister of State for Trade, Pat Breen, published the Bill on Friday 2nd February. Mr Flanagan commented that ‘the world has changed a great deal’
since the last EU Directive on Data Protection in 1995. He also stated that the GDPR would help to strengthen a citizen’s rights in a number of ways; it would improve their right to obtain access to personal data, their right to ask for incorrect personal data to be corrected, and their right to request that unlawfully processed data be erased. He also stressed that these new laws would not apply to data processed for purely personal reasons or for activities carried out in a person’s home. Breen meanwhile emphasised that the new legislation would help provide support and advice to businesses. One such example of this would be through the new
Data Protection Commission. This new Commission shall be composed of three people and will replace the old Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. It will also give them stronger supervision and enforcement powers for the state in the area of data protection. Breen also pointed out that Ireland was a front runner in Europe regarding data protection. Furthermore, he suggested that countries
which were compliant with the GDPR would have a great advantage. However, the new Data Protection Bill has been met with some criticism. One concern is over the fact that public bodies are not subject to fines under the new legislation. The Bill does allow for those who have been affected by data breaches to seek compensation in the Circuit Court, but this will only apply when private
bodies have breached data. Government agencies shall be exempt unless they are in competition with a private organisation. The Data Protection Commissioner, Helen Dixon, last year stated that it was a matter of serious concern that public authorities were not fined under data protection laws. She said that ‘the purpose of the punitive fines under the new law is to act as a deterrent… and we see no basis upon which public authorities would be excluded’. A justice committee, in a report on the legislation last year, similarly recommended that public authorities should be subject to fines. The Bill is currently being debated in the Seanad and will be signed into law on the 25th of May. As of the time of writing, it is yet to be seen whether the substance of the bill will change to address any concerns.
Brexit May Affect Extradition Agreements Daniel Forde Law Editor
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he Supreme Court has referred a question to the European Court of Justice regarding British extradition, following the challenge of an arrest warrant by an Irishman. Mr Thomas Joseph O’Connor, from Cloughbeirne, Roscommon, was sentenced in Blackfriars Crown Court in 2007 to four and a half years in prison for his role in a £5 million tax fraud. At the time of the sentencing, Mr O’Connor was not present, and was subsequently charged with absconding and breaching bail conditions. Upon returning to Ireland he was arrested under a European arrest warrant. Mr O’Connor then challenged this warrant on the basis that his rights could be violated due to the UK’s decision to leave the EU by March 2019. He has argued that his rights as an EU citizen will not be enforceable under EU law if he is extradited and also that the legal framework surrounding his potential detention is at significant risk. Essentially if Mr O’Connor is surrendered to the UK then it is very likely that his prison sentence will run beyond the proposed date for Britain officially exiting the EU. This will most likely affect the laws surrounding arrest of foreign citizens and whether they can be fairly applied. Counsel for Mr O’Connor argued that Mr O’Connor’s surrender is impossible as there is still insufficient clarity about the
13.02.2018
post-Brexit regime. Meanwhile counsel for the Minister for Justice claimed that the correct approach was to focus on the current state of the law and that hypothetical questions were irrelevant to proceedings. Chief Justice Frank Clarke eventually concluded that the issues raised by Mr O’Connor were not unstateable. He stated in his judgement ‘Furthermore, it is also the case that the precise consequences for Mr. O’Connor are equally unclear. What will happen to him if he is surrendered to the United Kingdom, the legal regime which will apply to him in those circumstances and many other matters are not clear at this stage and are unlikely to become clear for some period of time.’ The Chief Justice then commented that as no prior case of equivalent circumstances existed, this was a novel point of EU law and must be referred to the CJEU. The Supreme Court also remarked that it was aware that the principles advanced in this case would undoubtedly affect other areas of law. It was also very mindful of the fact that there are currently 20 other High Court extradition cases which will be affected by the CJEU’s ruling. Thus the Court recommended that the reference to the CJEU be handled in a ‘most expeditious’ manner. A short hearing will take place on the 13th of February where the Court will decide the final version of the questions to be referred. The Supreme Court will hear submissions from both sides concerning on the matter. p.29
Business.
The Technological Universities Bill 2015 in the Seanad
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Cian Carton Editor
he Technological Universities Bill 2015 passed the Dáil at the end of January and is now going through the process to obtain Seanad approval. The Bill sets out the framework under which the Institutes of Technology around the country would be able to merge into larger ‘Technological Universities’. Original plans could see up to ten of the fourteen Institutes become involved in mergers. It is the embodiment of years of attempted reform of the higher education sector in Ireland. The McCarthy Report in 2009 suggested dissolving both the Blanchardstown and Tallaght Institutes of Technology and incorporating them into the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) while merging institutes outside of Dublin in order to save money. The ‘National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030’, known as the Hunt Report, recommended amalgamating Institutes so they would be better able to achieve national targets and respond to ‘changed economic and social circumstances.’ The Bill went before the Seanad for the Second Stage on the 31st January, and before the Committee Stage on the 6th February, where Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, was present to discuss proposed amendments from Senators. While there is broad support to pass it, disputes over definitions threatened to derail the proceedings on several occasions. Here are some of the key issues raised during these discussions as Senators debated a number of amendments with the Minister.
What Is A University? The Green Party’s Grace O’Sullivan moved amendment 7, which concerned the protection of the name of a technological university. The proposed amendment would stop the Minister from removing the ‘technological university’ name from an institution in the future. O’Sullivan noted ‘there are the rather perverse prohibitions on institutes such as the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland which are not able to refer to themselves in Ireland as universities but can do so abroad. Institute of Technology Carlow was redesignated as Austin Waldron RTC but then had to campaign to have it returned to a more neutral descriptive designation.’ www.collegetribune.ie
David Norris expressed concern over the term ‘technological university’ being a combination of two institutions as they are ‘separate, distinct and equally valuable institutions. ‘As the name implies, universities have traditionally covered a very wide range of subjects, from music to the humanities, Latin, Greek, the classics, archaeology, architecture and medicine, whereas technological universities tend to concentrate on technical subjects. They started off as regional technical colleges and then became institutes of technology and are now to become technological universities.’ Norris cited correspondence from someone who teaches in an Institute and who is afraid that those who do not become technological universities ‘will be seen as second level and inferior to those that will engage in it.’ Norris observed how the ‘question then arises of who will go to the universities. He says he has seen more and more students go to universities not because it is the right choice but because it is expected, including by their parents. That reinforces the view that those that will remain as institutes of technology may be seen as second rate and that students may be drawn unnecessarily towards a university. Getting into university is seen as a badge of success or failure. If someone gets into university, he or she is seen as a success and if he or she does not, he or she is seen as a failure. That is not correct.’ He then asked ‘why not just call them Institutes? Many of them are actually not universities but some are. Some are very close to being universities, while others by their ethos and nature are just technical.’ Norris recognised that the name would not be changed at this stage, but felt it was important to raise the issue. Fine Gael’s Paudie Coffey then spoke about having studied in the Waterford Regional Technical College when it evolved into the Waterford Institute of Technology. Coffey mentioned how regional technical colleges played a vital role in educating graduates with engineering and technical skills to ‘serve the construction and engineering industries and stakeholders in the various regions where they were established, as well as providing apprentices to the construction sector.’ He then offered an interesting observation about Waterford’s attempts to achieve university status. ‘I have suspicions - Senator Norris can call them conspiracy theories if he likes - that the third level funding cake in this country is of a certain size. If the cake has to
The McCarthy Report in 2009 suggested dissolving both the Blanchardstown and Tallaght Institutes of Technology and incorporating them into the Dublin I nstitute of Technology (DIT) while merging institutes outside of Dublin in order to save money.
be sliced up to include an additional university, then the slices become smaller for the rest of the universities. There is resistance to this. I saw that during the campaign for a university for the south east over the past 20 years.’ Coffey said he had concerns over ‘some aspects concerning eligibility criteria’ and believed it was ‘watering down the standards to bring up the lowest common denominator.’ The Chair thanked him for his contribution, but said most of it had nothing to do with the proposed amendment.
Entrepreneurship
The next definition up for debate covered the purpose of technological universities. O’Sullivan’s amendment wanted to broaden their defined aims to include ‘promoting an entrepreneurial, creative and innovative ethos.’ The current section 9(1)(k)(iv)(I) states ‘promoting an entrepreneurial ethos.’ David Norris, Paul Gavan, Gerard Craughwell, and Alice Mary Higgins all voiced their support for it, with Norris suggesting his proposed amendment for the Report Stage would be even broader to encompass ‘promoting an ethos that supports entrepreneurship, creativity, autonomy, innovation and engaged citizenship.’ O’Connor rejected their arguments on the basis the whole Bill covers the inclusion of a creative ethos for technological universities. Marie Louise O’Donnell supported the Minister’s view, before getting into an 0731
with section 28(1)(c) of the Universities Act 1997 which provides that the composition of the academic council should include an ‘appropriate number of students.’ She suggested not altering the wording as this would ‘put technological universities in a different position from that of other universities.’ Norris told the Seanad that ‘we do not want to have a scenario where there is no student representation and I believe the Minister of State agrees with me on that point. A previous speaker referred to what the Minister envisages. What the Minister envisages does not matter a damn. What matters is what is in the legislation.’
Student Or Student’s Unions
Student Representation Senators noted that the current draft of the Bill contains no definitive guarantee that students would be able to be a part of a technological university’s academic council or governance structure. The wording states ‘… shall provide for such number of students of the college, as it considers appropriate, to be members of the academic council.’ Alice Mary Higgins said this could lead to a scenario whereby a technological university could decide that it is appropriate to have no student representation on its council. Senators put forward two potential amendments. No. 19 would allow for at least two, but no more than four student members. No. 20 states that student membership cannot fall below one member. O’Connor noted that section 16 of the Bill is in line 13.02.2018
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Senators noted that the current draft of the Bill contains no definitive guarantee that students would be able to be a part of a technological university’s academic council or governance structure.
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argument with O’Sullivan about it. Order was restored, and Norris pressed on with the issue by noting the section contained the sole use of the word ‘ethos’ within the Bill. He said the ‘whole range, direction and movement is towards entrepreneurship. It does not include creativity, autonomy, innovation or engaged citizenship. These things may be mentioned in other places in the Bill but this is the governing clause. It is where ethos comes in. It is important for that reason.’ After another back-and-forth over Seanad procedures, the amendment was put to a vote and lost.
Sinn Féin’s Paul Gavin noted the original wording used ‘student union’ and called for it to be changed to ‘students’ union’. The Minister replied that the Bill was drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the government and contains the standardised legislative wording. ‘This definition mirrors the interpretation of the term “student union” as set out in section 3 of the Universities Act 1997.’ Higgins moved an amendment to add a statutory definition of students’ union into the Bill. It would be defined as an ‘autonomous body governed by students which promotes and represents the interests of students, both individual and collective.’ She stressed that ‘there is a danger under the current definition that a student union’s recognition and representation functions would derive from the recognition of its legitimacy by the institute or university rather than its own democratic mandate.’ Higgins noted that the proposed wording ‘or other representative body’ could allow the administration to recognise another body to
avoid dealing with a legitimate students’ union. Gavan argued that the word ‘recognised’ was the problem, while Norris thought the proposed amendment was ‘so vague’ as it ‘means the authorities would have to recognise any group, however extraordinary, that sets itself up as long as it is an autonomous body governed by students and one that promotes and represents the interests of students.’ He suggested the two proposed amendments were very similar to the government’s proposed wording, but this was rejected by Higgins. Norris then said that while he would accept his colleague’s viewpoint, ‘a students’ union that is not autonomous or that is governed by the university, lecturers or some secret Wizard of Oz behind the scenes is not a concept that I buy. I have never seen it in operation, and I was in a university for a long time.’ Rónán Mullen said ‘the question of whether one would include the word ‘autonomous’ or talk about students’ unions as autonomous bodies appears to be an attempt to bolster a case that is a live issue in some universities and colleges in which students’ unions do not want to be interfered with unduly by university or college authorities.’ He said that this ‘building up of students’ unions as autonomous groups is, in some way, in furtherance of that particular agenda.’ His solution is that if students’ unions want total autonomy over their finances, then they should go and collect the money from students themselves. O’Connor stated that the definition used in the Bill is the same as one from the Universities Act 1997, and cited section 16(2)(d)(iv) of the 1997 Act that Act states that in the composition of the governing authority there should be ‘students of the university who are elected officers of the Students Union or other student representative body in the university recognised by the governing authority.’ She argued that ‘the recognition by mutual parties must also prevent the unworkable and unwanted situation which could occur if there was a plethora of single-issue bodies purporting to represent student concerns. Even for a handful of students to require constant interaction by the technological university with such bodies would be to the detriment of the representation of all concerns of students by the recognised students’ union.’ O’Connor noted that the Bill referenced the potential for other student bodies, and gave an example of another students’ union for postgraduates. She highlighted that the proposed definition made no reference to either governance or accountability over the funding they receive from an institution, which would contradict the government’s aim of increasing the governance and accountability framework within higher education institutions, as another basis why she rejected the amendment. The debate was adjourned shortly afterwards. p.31
Turbine.
The Turbine A lway s S ati r ical - O c cas ional l y H u mou rous
Varadkar Recommends Buying Cryptocurrency to Raise Deposit for House In the Dáil recently, An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, suggested that people should turn to cryptocurrency markets in order to raise the money for the deposit required for a mortgage. Under current Central Bank rules, prospective homeowners must raise 20% of the purchase price themselves, for a deposit on their mortgage: Something that is increasingly difficult to do when rents are rising and wages are stagnating. ‘It has always been the case that a person must raise a deposit to buy a house’, Varadkar said in response to questions about a new government housing policy. ‘People do it in many different ways…. Some move abroad, others get money from their parents, or they move back home for a period in order to save. Others turn to cryptocurrencies, and take advantage of the rapid increases in value that this market offers.’ He explained how he ‘spoke to a young couple the other day, and they were able to raise enough for a deposit in one week by issuing their own cryptocurrency. By the time the house was bought, they had raised enough money to pay off the mortgage.’ The remarks drew criticism from Fianna Fáil spokesperson on housing, Barry Cowen, who said that they highlighted the Taoiseach’s ‘tech-savvy bias’. Cowen claimed ‘This is blatant tech elitism from the Taoiseach which highlights his complete disregard for the financial and technical abilities of the average voter. Not everyone can afford to develop their own cryptocurrency, nor does the average voter know how to. It’s a completely ludicrous proposal, and the voters won’t stand for it!’
Aquaman Dies After Ingesting Plastic Seán Farbuckt Turbine Writer It is with great sadness that I must recount the death of the dearly beloved superhero, Aquaman, AKA Arthur Curry, who passed away yesterday in a tragic accident. He was swimming with friends off the coast of California, when Superman realised he wasn’t following behind the group. The Flash went back to check on him and found Aquaman lying face up in the water. He was dead. The autopsy, performed by Superman just minutes afterwards, found that Aquaman had ingested large quantities of plastic over the years which had destroyed his stomach. Inside Aquaman’s ruined stomach, were things like lighters, bottle caps, sweet wrappers, pens, plastic bags, and even a radiohead album, completely intact. Scientists say due to high rates of pollution in the ocean, we can expect to see other water based characters die in the same manner and probably a lot of fish and underwater mammals too. With the death of Ariel, the Little Mermaid, back in October who died after choking on a six pack ring, the sea community has suffered another heartbreaking loss from similar circumstance. Aquaman is survived by all the fish and mammals in the ocean, a few humans and his superhero friends, and also Ant-Man, who I refuse to call a superhero. The funeral will be this Sunday in St. Poseidon’s Church, Atlantis. May he rest in peace.
Trump Resigns After Z-List Celebrity Roasts Him On Twitter Seán Farbuckt Turbine Writer
After a horrible year in office, during which time he enacted many awful policies that caused so much hurt and suffering for good people, Donald Trump was forced to resign as President of the United States. It was not the Russia scandal that did it, nor was it the countless shameful comments he has made pretty much every day, nor was it any internal rupture in the GOP. It was one woman, who had the guts to stand up for the average American who has suffered so much under the Trump Regime. That woman, was Sharon Waterstone, a well-known background actress who has appeared as an extra in more than 1 movie, almost 2 tv-shows and was also the woman who said ‘hell yeah’ in a Gatorade commercial in 1998. Sharon spent hours, commenting on Trump’s antics, or even directly tweeting him, calling him things like ‘Cheeto man’ or ‘Big Idiot man’ and more insults of similar comedic genius. But the tweet that finally removed Trump, the tweet that finally put a stop to the chaos, was simply one
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joke. One powerful, brave and insightful joke, that shook Trump, the GOP and all of their supporters to the very core of their existence. On February 11th, at 1:03 pm, Waterstone tweeted ‘@realDonaldTrump, more like Dumbald Drumpf’. And there it was… Immediately the world went quiet and all air seemed cold and stale. The birds stopped chirping in the trees, the wind stopped blowing and the dew swept grass stood verdantly still. People were in awe, having never seen such utter devastation before. Trump was destroyed. He had been beaten. Trump announced his resignation at 1:10 pm on Sunday the 11th of February 2018. He cited, ‘complete obliteration’ as the main reason. Sharon has told Youtube news commenters she will continue to tweet against the injustices in the world, and those who perpetuate them. She even has plenty of jokes in store for the new President, Mike Pence, including one which calls him ‘Blike Brence’. God bless you Sharon Waterstone! Never stop tweeting!
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Sport.
Be the difference We’re looking for young entrepreneurs with powerful and innovative business ideas that can be put into practice for a good cause. Can you be the difference for the Jack & Jill Foundation a charity that makes a difference for others, every day? How to get involved We want teams of 3 people to submit their groundbreaking business ideas in no more than 150 words to paula.gaffney@ boi.com by the closing date of 15 February 2018 at 5pm. We’re looking for creativity, ease of activation, low financial risk and cost effectiveness. Why get involved? • •
• 00.00.2017
The winning team will be given the opportunity of summer placements at Bank of Ireland; All participants in each of the twelve shortlisted teams will benefit greatly from being able to include ‘Shortlisted Candidate for the 2018 Bank of Ireland & UCD Social Entrepreneur Challenge’ on their CVs; You will have done something full of good. p.33
Sport.
Punishing Tennis Schedule Damaging the Game at Top-Level Jack Stokes Sports Writer
13.02.2018
and put their bodies through physical torment. Ultimately, they pick up new injuries or worsen existing ones, and end up side-lined for lengthy periods. This grim reality is best seen in the case of Andy Murray. Murray’s inhumane efforts to keep up pace with the ATP’s schedule and reach top spot in the rankings appear to have brought his career to a premature end. Between 2015 and 2016, Murray played a total of 35 tournaments, as well as 6 gruelling Davis Cup ties. In over 80% of these tournaments, Murray reached at least the semi-finals meaning that he played, on average, four matches over six days in a typical event. Murray has subsequently revealed that he played consistently with an underlying hip injury, having already undergone back surgery in Autumn 2013. Whilst Murray would go on to achieve the number one ranking, his exertions in doing so have dramatically taken its toll. Since becoming number one in the world, Murray’s form has plummeted, his injuries deteriorated and his longevity effectively rendered nonexistent. As a result of their ludicrous tournament schedule, the ATP appear to have abruptly lost one of their star players. Murray does not stand alone in falling victim to tennis’ punishing schedule. Former world number four Kei Nishikori remains absent
from the tour due to ongoing injury issues, whilst Stanislas Wawrinka, Milos Raonic and Novak Djokovic are gingerly returning from lengthy spells out of the game. Last year, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal returned from injuryenforced lay-offs extending up to six months. All of these absentees can be attributed to the incredible strain that the gruelling player schedule places on its star performers. Moreover, slower courts and longer baseline rallies have merely compounded the wear and tear inflicted on the professionals. Ultimately, the ATP’s reluctance to shorten match formats or reduce its quan-
tity of tournament offerings is rapidly diminishing its end-product. The now seemingly prevalent absences of top players has made tennis’ biggest and best events much less interesting. For example, Rafael Nadal steam-rolled his way to US Open victory last September without having to beat a top twenty opponent, owing to the widespread absence of the game’s elite (including Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray). Further the supposed flagship event of the ATP Tour, the ‘Nitto ATP World Tour Finals’, was hindered greatly by injuries to Nadal, Murray, Djokovic, Raonic, Nishikori and Wawrinka. In essence,
“ Ultimately, the ATP’s reluctance to shorten match formats or reduce its quantity of tournament offerings is rapidly diminishing its end-product.
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T
he Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) World Tour is facing somewhat of a crisis. For over a decade it has rejoiced in the exploits of the so-called ‘golden generation’ (comprising of Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Stanislas Wawrinka, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal) and reaped the rewards that this outstanding group of players have generated. Viewing figures have risen exponentially in the last ten years, whilst attendances at tournaments have reached record levels. However, in the last couple of years, cracks have emerged within the tennis community that threaten to burst the ATP Tour’s bubble. These cracks stem from fundamental flaws within the ATP’s structures and evidence of its detrimental effects has already become apparent in recent events. The main problem lies in the fact that the ATP Tour schedule contains too many events, whilst its ranking system favours quantity over quality. The ATP Tour has events running almost every week from New Years’ Day right up until the end of November. Given the highly taxing nature of the modern game, this is grossly excessive. In a desperate pursuit of ranking points and prizemoney, too many players play through the pain barrier
the somewhat farcical ATP schedule is gradually reducing the appeal of tennis’ leading tournaments and ultimately depriving viewers of the high calibre match-ups they crave. Major restructuring is necessary to save the game from plunging into a crisis whereby its leading players are forced into early retirement. Shortening the Davis Cup format in 2018 is a step in the right direction, but this should be extended to other tournaments urgently. ATP officials must seriously consider reducing sets to winning four games instead of the traditional six. Also, introducing ‘first point after deuce’ in smaller ranking tournaments must be considered as a viable alternative. Crucially, the tennis ‘off season’ should be extended from the current four-week period by at least a fortnight. Failure to implement such reforms and consider change will only lead to an escalation of the injury trends witnessed in the last few years. Unless the ATP moves quickly to protect player welfare and longevity, its future success and attraction appears vulnerable at best. p.34
Wales Seek to Become the First Side to Beat Jones’ Men at Home Conor Lynott
T
wo minds and a few dozen bodies will collide at Twickenham on Saturday when Warren Gatland aims to inflict a first home defeat on Eddie Jones. A fixture that at the start of the month looked a probable home win has become more intriguing after the manner of Wales’s victory against Scotland. It was against a side with a poor away record in the tournament and Wales were under pressure for most of the first half after taking a 14-point lead but it was the manner of their performance last Saturday that demanded attention. Wales showed composure in possession and, in a turnaround from a few years ago, were inventive and dangerous in broken play. The following day in Rome England also scored two early www.collegetribune.ie
tries before running away with the match. Their method was different, executing moves from set plays where George Ford and Owen Farrell exploited the 20-metre gap between defenders at lineouts to get the ball wide. Two of their first four tries came from a lineout and a third from a scrum. They finished off a tiring defence with tries from phase play, but Italy had 27 more rucks in the match, twice exploiting a narrow defence, but for the most part making little progress against the defensive wall either side of the breakdown. Wales had a flanker in Josh Navidi who, like Sam Warburton, is strong over the ball and showed against Scotland why he had been selected ahead of Justin Tipuric, winning a turnover and penalties as he competed for possession. England, in contrast, use their props Mako Vunipola
and Dan Cole to put pressure on support players at the breakdown, slowing down delivery and forcing penalties for holding on. It meant they did not need a player like Navidi on the openside and it is in one way a safer option because it removes the risk of a player being penalised for putting his hands beyond the ball, but Wales will have noticed how Italy’s two tries came from long passes that left England exposed out wide. Scotland, like England, like to attack from lineouts, but Wales disrupted their possession to reduce them to one move of note, which Scott Williams snuffed out. They will need to do the same to England, but that will be considerably more challenging with Dylan Hartley one of the most precise throwers in the game. He was armed with three second rows in Rome with
Courtney Lawes playing on the blindside but Wales have a tall six in Aaron Shingler and their captain, Alun Wyn Jones, got to know the England forwards coach, Steve Borthwick, on the Lions tour to New Zealand last year. Gatland and Jones are shrewd selectors, quick to spot potential in players. One of England’s headline acts in Rome was Sam Simmonds, a totally different No 8 to the injured Billy Vunipola. The Exeter forward, who has scored 10 tries in 11 Premiership and European Champions Cup starts this season, added two more for his country, showcasing speed rather than power. Simmonds made his debut for Exeter in November 2012, one day after his 18th birthday, as a replacement at London Welsh in the Anglo-Welsh Cup, but he did not make his Premiership debut until February last year against Wasps when he played at No 8 and scored a try. Simmonds started his club career on the openside. He is the same height and weight as David Pocock, the Australia international who made his name as a No 7 before being moved to No 8 before the last World Cup to accommodate Michael Hooper. He was switched after that to the blindside and flanker remains an option for Jones when Vunipola returns. Simmonds’s pace is an asset Jones did not think he would enjoy 12 months ago but while England also have speed on the wing, they do not play with the frenzy Wales showed against Scotland. The opening 20 minutes of that match were lung-bursting even by the standards of the modern game where there is an emphasis on a high ball-in-play time, a whirl of thrust and counterattack. Wales pride themselves on their fitness, an area where before the tournament Jones highlighted the need for improvement. If Gatland’s team look to run opponents to a standstill, England wear sides down, as they did on Sunday, picking their moments before the bench, or finishers, are brought on. At the end of Jones’s stint in charge of Australia, the Wallabies became a side who endlessly recycled possession, patiently taking play through phase after phase, waiting for a missed tackle or a hole to appear. His England side are more nuanced but still at a development stage, one reason why he still has a grip on the hand-brake and, for example, continues to pick Mike Brown at full-back. Jones used only two scrum-halves in his first two years in charge, apart from last summer’s tour, and Ben Youngs’s injury against Italy is a set-back for him. He had in Youngs and Danny Care an 80-minute package, the steadiness of the former with his swift passing perfect for a flat-lying Ford and the ability of the latter to up the pace of the game, inject it with chaos and exploit tired legs and minds. Wales need to slow down England’s possession and rupture the 9-10 axis, as Ireland did last year, but equally the home side will be looking to put the Wales No 10, Rhys Patchell, under pressure and force him to take quick decisions. Contests between England and Wales have long held an appeal of their own but the meeting of minds between Jones and Gatland makes this one to savour. 0731
College Tribune.
UCD Sports Clubs Round Up Chris Foley Sports Editor
W
hile the small matter of the Collingwood Cup had been sewn up in Belfast. Closer to home, the real business of the AIB Superleague continued, with each of the 58 teams pressing on in their efforts to keep up with the thrills, spills and unforgiving nature of this gruelling competition. In the Premier Saturday league, three sides find themselves neck and neck at the top, with FC Schustigan, McCuls FC and Borussia Spunkonyarmumsbach all level on 27 points. Tuborg Rovers are keeping up the pressure on the leaders with 26 points and a game in hand, fresh off a recent 6-0 victory over Fiddy Kiddlers. Two Goals One Cup round off the top four as they currently sit on 25 points, leaving it all to play for at the top as the season enters its latter stages. The league has been nothing short of goals for the neutral, with a recent fixture between Milner in the Ass and Salah Snackbar yielding 11 goals, an excelwww.collegetribune.ie
lent advertisement for the what the league has to offer. In the Premier Sunday league, SWOXI continue to lead the pack as they sit on 34 points, 11 points ahead of nearest challengers Kilmacud Tokes. Traditional heavyweights Futbolito currently find themselves in a disappointing 3rd place but are far from out of the title race with their 3 games in hand on the league leaders, a recent 10 goal rout against bottom boys Zulu a testament to their attacking threat. There have been no shocks in the Saturday Division 1, as reigning champions Colonel Getafe find themselves setting the pace once more. An identical points total exists for the top 3 sides in Saturday Division 1 as the Premier Sunday league (illuminati?) with Dellboys FC also due to have two games in hand on the leaders. While at the other end, Pickle Rock share the ignominious feat of having not yet recorded a point this season, along with Zulu and Pedoborough FC in the other two divisions. All things considered, this season’s
edition of the AIB Superleague has been as thrilling as ever, with each of the 1,000 registered players endeavouring to maintain the quality and credibility of the league. For those leading the title chase, the coming months will be a chance for them finish off the great work that they have carried out thus far. For the rest of the sides, solace can be found in pursuit of the cup.
One To Watch
Plying his trade with Premier Saturday side Dynamo Duncan Ferguson, Goalkeeper Thomas Mayaka has captured the imagination of the Superleague fanbase since his debut in the league last October. Boasting a wealth of playing experience in his native Zambia, Mayaka’s knowledge of the game can be seen in his on-pitch demeanour, and the reassurance he gives the defender’s in front of him. An excellent performance in The Dynamo’s recent 1-0 victory over Damba Banter yielded Thomas a clean sheet, and the title of AIB Superleague Player of the Week. An accolade that has been long overdue considering the string of excellent performances he has put in over the past few months.
UCD Volleyball
Congratulations to the UCD Women’s Volleyball team who gave a strong showing at the UK Intervarsity’s in Norwich last
week. The side, who qualified for the competition by virtue of being Irish champions, finished 5th in the competition overall. Their final position was confirmed on Sunday with a comfortable 2:0 victory over Cambridge, with their only losses coming against the two eventual finalists. The side’s final position in the 16-team strong competition is even more impressive when one considers the esteemed company in which they shared. Many future Olympians, such Maria Bertelli, Ben Pipes, Lucy Boulton, Zara Dampney and Alex Porter having cut their teeth in the competition in years gone by. In other news, the Premier Men’s team were unlucky to lose 1-3 following a plucky performance against DVC Bravo, and are in good shape ahead of the upcoming clash against Munster in Limerick next weekend. While the Premier Women, currently holding 2nd in the League based points, will take on Galway in a home tie this Sunday All things considered, UCD’s long established volleyball program is in as good shape as it’s ever been, and here at The College Tribune we will be watching the club’s progress with added interest over the coming months. It’s set to be a good season so stay tuned.
UCD AFC
Following on from a strong showing to overcome DCU in the semi-final, UCD went into the final brimming with confidence, but it was far from plain sailing for the eventual victors. Despite taking a lead midway through the first half courtesy of a clinical Timmy Molloy strike, things took a turn for The Students in the minutes preceding the half time whistle. Firstly, on 43 minutes, opponents Queen’s University managed to equalise thanks to a Ronan Young, who’s free-kick curled over the wall and past Gavin Sheridan. Things then went from bad to worse as talismanic striker Georgie Kelly was given his marching orders just before half-time, having initially been awarded a yellow card by the referee. Despite the numerical disadvantage, UCD maintained their intensity in the second half, with Liam Scales and Jason McClelland both having good opportunities to regain the side’s lead. However, Queens’ resistance was finally broken in injury time, as Player of the Tournament Daire O’Connor unleashed a powerful strike past the helpless Conor Lally to send the travelling UCD supporters into raptures. This victory represents a major achievement for a side brimming with experience, which many of the squad will be looking to take with them as the 2018 League of Ireland season gets underway in the coming weeks. 0731