The University Times www.universitytimes.ie
November 3rd, 2009
Drop in the Ocean Kate Ferguson puts homeopathy under the microscope. Features p6
Senate needs Reform
Societies Shunning Rachael Shearer examines the nature of cliques in college. Features p7
Elizabeth Maye opposes abolition. Opinion p17
Strike may shut down College Unions agree to nationwide work stoppage November 24th Marykate Collins Deputy Editor Trinity College students and staff are sure to be affected by the recently proposed public sector pay cuts. Public sector unions have agreed to a nationwide 24-hour strike on Tuesday, November 24th. The unions discussed plans for the strike following talks with the Department of Finance on how to achieve €1.3 billion in cuts in the public sector pay bill. On Friday night last it emerged the Government will save about €300 million in a full year arising from the moratorium on recruitment in the public service and initiatives such as the incentivised early retirement and career break schemes aimed at reducing the numbers on the State’s payroll. The Government’s side in the talks has insisted that such savings cannot be taken into account in relation to the €1.3 billion reduction in the public sector pay bill it is seeking for 2010. Trade unions have said there was a need for the Government “to put up in lights” the amount already contributed by public servants through pension levy, pay rises foregone and operating with fewer staff as a result of the moratorium. College’s Communications Officer stated; “Should the
proposed strike action proceed on November 24, College will have in place procedures to maintain essential services and to respond to any emergencies that may occur during the course of the strike. Once the details of the proposed action become known Heads and Managers in each area will give due consideration to the number of staff available for duty in order to ensure that appropriate levels of supervision are in place throughout faculties, departments and laboratories to adequately protect the health and safety of students and others on campus.” However if the college security do decide to go on strike they will have to have skeleton staff in place, which would entail having the bare minimum members of security working. This is in keeping with college safety regulations. It is unsure yet as to whether teaching will stop on the day, if not then students will be faced with the decision of whether or not to pass the picket line. Students’ Union President Cónán Ó Broin stated that; “the Students’ Union does not have a stance on the merits or demerits of the strike. We are simply trying to protect students’ interests.” The Irish Federation of University Teachers’ (IFUT) Executive
has not yet had a chance to decide on their response as the proposal to have a national stoppage was only made to them on Wednesday last. Today however the unions who are proposing the strike will meet to work out the details of what exactly they will be doing on the day. It is expected to be announced this evening. If the strike action goes ahead as planned, the department of Finance will send out notices to unions stating that workers will not be paid for “unauthorised absence”. If even a fraction of the 320,000 public sector workforce went on strike, the Government could end up saving millions in pay costs. The total bill for the public sector is currently €20bn per annum and is being scrutinised by the Government for further cutbacks following last year’s pension levy. Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan had this to say, “The simple, stark reality is that we don’t have the funds to fund what the public service unions expect. And they are going to have to address that reality with us. If they choose to deny that reality, if they choose to embark on industrial action, for example, all that will happen is further damage to the economy and the people of this country.”
Students and other bus gate supporters stage a demonstration of their backing of the College Green bus corridor last Tuesday. Photo: David O’Dwyer
Students fight for bus gate Businesses take legal action to have the corridor removed Simone Hall News Writer Students protested last week in College Green regarding the proposal by certain Dublin businesses to abandon the bus gate, despite a remarkable reduction in bus journey times and a huge increase in the number of cyclists. Dublin City Council has been under pressure recently from certain businesses as they claim business has fallen by 30 per cent since the public transport priority measure was introduced on July
27th and that late-night retailing on Thursdays has been particularly hit because carborne shoppers find access to the city centre more difficult. The bus corridor, from which cars are excluded from 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm, Monday to Friday, is the subject of a High Court action against the council by 12 plaintiffs, including Brown Thomas, Louis Copeland, QPark and other multistorey car-park operators. Many Trinity students attended this protest to mark their indignation at the abandonment proposal. The
protest, organised by Students’ Union Environmental and Ethical Trading Officer Barra Roantree, has been quite successful, with both Noel Dempsay and John Gormley opposing the lifting of the Bus Gate. The Bus Gate has seen Dublin city centre become much less congested and much cleaner. The bus corridor at College Green was initiated by Dublin City Council in September 2009 to reduce commuting times for bus users, cyclists, drivers and reduce congestion. It has been remarkably successful at
achieving these aims, decreasing the maximum peak journey time from Parnell Square to Nassau Street from 40 minutes to just 10. Cyclist traffic along O’Connell street has increased 64% since the bus gate started while average speed in the city centre has more then doubled during hours of operation from 5km/ hr to 13km/hr. The fact that footfall along College Green has increased by 6% should in fact be seen as good for local businesses. A rally was organised yesterday at City Hall by Trinity
students to coincide with the Dublin City Council meeting where the decision was to be taken on whether or not to curtail Bus Gate hours during the Christmas period. At time of print the decision had yet to be announced yet speculation was rife that councillors would rule in favour of it. Green Party TD Ciaran Cuffe hoped the council would “hold firm” rather than ditch the bus gate for a period, while the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport described the move as “shortsighted in the extreme”.
Over two hundred reps Norris to fight Seanad attend training weekend abolition proposal James Hagan News Writer This year’s class reptraining weekend took place at the Carlton Hotel in North Dublin on the 17th and 18th of October last. The training took the form of a series of lectures and interactive exercises which aimed to inform the incoming reps regarding representing their classes to college authorities and organising social activities for them. It was a chance for the reps to familiarise themselves with the work of the Students’ Union at large and the role they play in it and introduce themselves to each other so they could work together over the coming year.
By these standards, the weekend was considered successful by most who were involved. The reps certainly got to know each other with much interaction and socialising taking place and a friendly atmosphere pervading in the hotel. In casual conversation during the weekend most reps asked about the training also said they felt they were learning a lot and that the weekend was valuable in this respect. Ashley Cooke, Education Officer, had this to say: “class rep training is intended to fully equip SU reps with the skills they need to carry out their job. It is also great for developing cohesion between the reps so that the union can be as efficient as
possible throughout the year. We are delighted about how the training went and all reports I have received from class reps have been overwhelmingly positive.” As well as lunch and dinner, the reps were treated to lectures from speakers both inside and outside the Students’ Union which formed the larger part of the training. Each of the Union’s Sabbatical Officers spoke, Cormac Cashman’s delightfully succinct lecture on welfare being a particular highlight. President Cónán Ó Broin emphasised the important role of the class reps within the wider Union and highlighted the lobbying power of the SU, particularly in regard to fees. The external speakers
included Collie McGivern, a negotiator who was involved in the Northern Ireland Peace Process and Ronan Hodson, President of the Graduate Students’ Union, whose informative and humorous speech on student representation was well received, offering as it did an invaluable insight into how decisions are made in Trinity. However naturally the weekend involved much socialising, which unfortunately led to damages being done. Many attendees were seen to be intoxicated on the night of Saturday the 18th leading certain people to unnecessarily discharge six fire extinguishers. They then Continued page 3
Leanna Byrne News Writer Dublin University Senator David Norris strongly opposed Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny’s proposals to abolish Seanad Éireann in an interview with The University Times last week. Senator David Norris ardently stated that Kenny’s “political stand” was a populist move. In fact, he views Kenny’s move as being an
effort “to atone for the sins of the Dáil”. The decision is said to be another bid for Fine Gael to take political control over Fianna Fáil. The Senator then went on to criticise the manner in which the order of business was dealt with last Saturday, claiming that “he didn’t even consult his own party before releasing his brilliant plan”. Such a dramatic announcement came as a shock to many senators. Senator
Editor: Robert Donohoe Deputy Editor: Marykate Collins Volume 1, Issue 3 ISSN: 2009-261X Phone: 01 646 8431 Email: info@universitytimes.ie Website: www.universitytimes.ie
Norris stressed that up until last Saturday the order of business for the government was to make necessary reforms to the Seanad. The recommendations of Seanad reform were also supported by the Labour Party. A Dáil report had pointed out many flaws in the Seanad voting system, highlighting especially the eleven senators appointed by the Taoiseach as a particular area that needed reform.
This newspaper is produced with the financial support of Trinity College Students’ Union. It is set in 9pt Utopia and Whitney – a classic newspaper typeface and a modernist sans serif respectively. It was printed by Mortons Print Ltd.
Senator Norris articulated his view that “the 43 senators that are elected are elected by county councilors that have no right to vote.” He suggested making adjustments by giving a voice to such groups as trade unions, farmers, nurses and teachers in the Seanad. Mr Kenny went against this report and announced his plan to abolish the Continued page 2
To contact the University Times write to: The Editor, The University Times, 6 Trinity College Dublin 2