The University Times Issue 5 Volume 2

Hitting the streets Gavin McDermott and Ana Lezcano meet Dublin’s buskers

IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN

Gerry Adams talks to Eugene Reavey: page 8

The SU candidates - confirmed and profiled Rachel Barry | Ryan Bartlett | John Cooney | Ronan Costello | Aaron Heffernan | Caroline Keating | Sebastian LeCocq | Louisa Miller | Elaine McDaid | Chris O’Connor | Darren O’Gorman

The University Times Irish Student Newspaper of the Year TUESDAY, 25 JANUARY 2011

facebook.com/universitytimes

twitter: @universitytimes

ROCK BOYS RUN RIOT

» Female ski tripper assaulted Tom Lowe Editor

being rough. One of them masturbated at me. They left me in tears.” The victim added that the DUSSC committee were very helpful throughout her ordeal and qualified her contribution to this story, saying “they were so sound about this whole thing” The Junior Dean is conducting an investigation into “a series of alleged incidents which took place at Les Deux Alpes resort in which members of the Dublin University Snow Sports Club were staying, as well as other Trinity students, independent

» “Spend-off ” sees student throw smartphone off mountain

publication of details of the assault in the Sunday Independent, he had correA UNIVERSITY Times insponded with the other stuvestigation has revealed dents who had been on the that members of a group of parallel ski trip. between 25 and 30 students, Mr Maguire also acalumni of the private South knowledged that the fact Dublin schools Blackrock that his name showed up on College, CBC Monkstown the phone indicated that the and Mount Anville wrought perpetrators were from his havoc on Trinity’s Snowsski trip group. ports Club’s annual ski trip Students on the DUSSC in the week prior to the start ski trip, in interviews with of term.

The University Times, deIt is clear that the French scribed the behaviour of police were called at least the group as “sociopathic”, twice to the Les Deux Alpes reporting a “spend-off ” beresort, near Grenoble, tween two former Blackrock where both the 300+ strong students, one from TrinDUSSC contingent and the ity and one from UCD, in separate group were staywhich they ing. Both the DUSSC trip competand the external trip were ed to see ejected from the hotel by who could gendarmes after a swastispend or ka was daubed on the wall waste the of the third floor of the homost montel with a two-inch thick ey. paint marker. Displaying Tac t ic s a swastika is punishable included Dear Editor, by a custodial sentence throwing a B l a c k B e rin France.

In recent hours it has become appa ry down a A third year Trinirent to a group of on publishing an us that you inten article regarding ty student was assaultmountain, d The Trinity Ski Tr in which you refer ip to Les Deux Al ence a group of pes, us in a negative ed by four of the group. buying ten we would like to light. With this in make our position mind clear, should anyth The four males entered pints and untrue be publish ing that is in anyw ed we will indeed ay be forced to take the publishers, thu her room as she and her emptying a libel suit again s we suggest tha st t yo be u have extremely fore making any two female room-mates them immestrong evidence such claims or ind eed naming any slandering our dig diately, smokslept. names. For risk nity, integrity and of character under are 100% serious ing a €50 The victim, who does false precedence and this is not to . We be taken lightly. recommend that Hence we strongly not wish to be named, note, using a any such article is withdrawn, in being taken any order to prevent further. spoke of her experi€20 note as a this from cigarette paence with The UniYours Sincerely, per, and payversity Times. “Four ing a barman of them came into Trinity and UCD students €50 to fasten ski my room while i was boots. asleep, woke me up When a resort by picking me up and security guard throwing me down approached one on the bed, generally

of the DUSSC trip, and other Irish students.”

One of the perpetrators accidentally left his mobile phone in the room during the assault. He later returned and apologised to the victim while his friends jeered from the door. In his absence, the phone had received a call from Robert Maguire, a fi rst year Business and Computing student who had attended Blackrock College. Speaking to The University Times, Mr Maguire denied any knowledge of the events, although he acknowledged that following the

Students’ Union Sabbatical Officers get pied for RAG Week. Photo: Dargan Crowley-Long. RAG Week report: p2 of the contestants to notify him of a €2,000 fi ne relating to damages, he reportedly took a €50 note out of his wallet, said “I eat this shit for breakfast” and promptly did so.

A video of one of the group, Paul Quinn, a Commerce student in UCD, surfaced on YouTube in the days following the Ski Trip. Visibly inebriated and clothed only in thermal underwear, Mr Quinn states that he “fucked [his] phone down the river”. When asked why, he states that “I was trying to impress my friends... I was trying to impress Conor

Foundation pulls Student Centre funding Ronan Costello News Editor THE TRINITY Foundation has reneged on a promise to contribute €7million to the construction of the long-awaited Student Centre.

The Foundation began to pare back its commitment at a Luce Hall Planning Committee meeting on December 21st of last year, with its Director Nick Sparrow saying that the Foundation would have to cut the promised €7million to €3.5million. Of the €22million euro that’s needed to cover the cost of construction, €10million was to be raised by college, and €5 million was to be raised by students, with the remainder to be picked up by the Foundation.

Th is promise had stood for eighteen months and it had been agreed as late as last October that a referendum based on that arrangement would be put to students in February, requiring students to agree to

» Times editor receives threatening email

paying a levy to cover the €5million that was to come from them.

Following this initial disappointment, Nick Sparrow came back to the Planning Committee with further bad news, saying that the Foundation could no longer guarantee any money towards the cost of construction. When asked what figure the Trinity Foundation could commit to the Student Centre, Sparrow said,“Try zero”.

SU President Nikolai TrigoubRotnem then assumed that students and College would split the nowmissing €7million in half. However, at a Planning Committee meeting last Monday, College informed Trigoub-Rotnem that it would not underwrite the difference and said that if the Foundation could not raise the €3.5 million then students would have to. Th is meeting was apparently very tense and was adjourned early. Then, on Thursday last, the Provost called Trigoub-Rotnem and said that college would

guarantee it. The students still have to cover the remaining €3.5million that was defaulted on by the Foundation.

“It’s disappointing that students were let down at such a late stage,” said Trigoub-Rotnem. “Given that the Students’ Union allows the Foundation to come into SU Council to tell students how important it is that they donate when they leave college, it’s embarrassing for them to have defaulted at such a late stage.”

Suspicion abounds that the Trinity Foundation left its decision to renege until Professor Patrick Prendergast had departed the office of Vice-Provost. Professor Prendergast had acted as Chair of the Luce Hall Planning Committee and was in charge of overseeing the fi nancial arrangements. Knowing that Professor Prendergast is odds-on favourite to be elected Provost, it’s thought that the Foundation did not want to bite the hand that might feed them while he served on the Planning

Committee.

As regards the referendum itself, Trigoub-Rotbem was keen to stress that “the SU was tasked with getting the best deal for the Referendum.

The SU is advocating neither a yes vote or a no vote. If students reject the referendum proposal then it’s no skin off our nose.”

The €8.5 million that students now have to contribute will be paid over twenty years, including the running costs of the centre. The levy figures that will be put to students in the referendum will be liberal estimates of what will be required to construct the building. The actual cost of construction may be a lot less because the estimates are those that were solicited two years ago at the planning stage. “Students won’t begin to pay the levy until after construction has fi nished,” said Trigoub-Rotnem. “So the figure that students vote on in the referendum may be larger than the one they’ll eventually have to pay.”

Williams because he’s a ledge”. He also remarks that “I hate Trinity. I don’t even hate Trinity. I say I hate Trinity because I’m not intelligent enough to get into it.”

He then whispers “I’m just a stupid UCD c*nt.”

During the night before this newspaper went to print, the editor received an email from Conor Williams from the email address trinityucdstudents@ gmail.com. Th is email, pictured above, threatens legal action in the case of an article portraying the group “in a negative light.” It appears that Mr Williams intended

the email to be anonymous but failed to realise that his name would appear in the “From:” field.

When The University Times spoke to Mr Williams, he said that the article was written by “a group of us... too many to name”. He denied any involvement in the spend-off, the assault on the Trinity student, and vandalism in the hotel.

When asked if he was under investigation by College, Mr Williams said “if I am, I don’t know about it.”

Well-placed College sources have told The University Times that five

students, including Mr Williams, are facing disciplinary hearings from the Junior Dean following their behaviour on the trip.

After receiving this information, The University Times asked Mr Williams again if he was under investigation. He claimed that “this is a personal matter” and that he had “already had to refuse comment on this” Mr Williams said he has no regrets following the trip, remarking that “everyone enjoyed themselves.”

Additional reporting by Ian Curran

Ó Broin resigns USI post Ciaran Nolan Research Editor FIANNA FAIL politicians were not the only ones resigning important posts last week, as Union of Students in Ireland Deputy president Conan Ó Broin also announced his intention to resign his post in the national students’ union. Ó Broin, a former Trinity student, who also held the position of Students’ Union president last academic year, said that he was to resign owing to a confl ict of interest with a job offer he had received over the Christmas Continued on p2

All prospective candidates for the Provostial election are called upon to take part in

The Provostial Debate March 15th 2011 Graduates’ Memorial Building Contact: elections@universitytimes.ie Organised by The University Times and The University Philosophical Society

Tuesday, January 25th 2010 | The University Times

2

TIMESNEWS News in Brief compiled by Ian Curran

A fresh Discovery for Trinity Orchestra Continuing on their trend of adapting the music of contemporary artists, the Trinity Orchestra will perform Daft Punk’s 2001 album, “Discovery,” live in the exam hall on Friday the 18th of February. The orchestra have had great success in the past in adapting the music of artists such as Radiohead and Sigur Ros. Conductor, Rob Farhat, has every confidence in the endeavour. “I think it’s a great way for the Orchestra to attract the interest of the average college student who is not interested in classical music, while continuing to innovate and do what an orchestra does best - play music for an audience,” Farhat told The University Times.

Finance Bill targets student tax relief The Finance Bill, the document that enacts the governments budgetary plans, was published last week amid controversy and rumour surrounding the Taoiseach’s leadership. The Bill states the government’s intention cutback on tax relief for student charges. The Bill states, “Tax relief for student charges and fees will be curtailed also there will be no tax relief on the first €2,000 of charges for full time students, the first 1,000 for part time students.”

In reality, this means that a full-time post-graduate student will lose 400 euro a year and part-time post-grads will lose 200 euro in relief. This is on top of the government plans to increase the student registration fee to 2000 euro for the first-born in any given family.

SU to poll students twice yearly Students’ Union Council has mandated its Communications Officer to put together a comprehensive survey twice a year to assess student satisfaction with the SU. The survey consisted of questions across a broad range of topics such as student health and welfare, individual student well-being and the perception of SU policy issues. In total 1711 students responded to the survey.

82% of students who took part in the survey said they are generally happy with the job TCDSU is doing, with 6% disagreeing. 72% of respondents said they agreed with the statement, “The Students’ Union accurately reflects the general opinion of the student population in its policies.” The survey also revealed a very high level of student satisfaction in the newly introduced SU Deal of the Week, with 71% of respondents stating that they have availed of it as of week ten of last term. The results also showed that 78% of surveyed students had attended at least one Ents event last term with only 7% complaining of a lack of variety in the events. The TCDSU Communications Offcer, who tabled the motion at SU council said, “This is a hugely important step for the Students’ Union to take, and I’m glad it received such support from reps.” He went on to say, “The Union and its elected representatives will be forced to evaluate themselves in the eyes of the student population - if you were worried that the SU was operating in a bubble before, this new mandate has burst it.”

JCR President disqualified from Ents race Ciaran Nolan Research Editor Plunkett McCullagh, President of the JCR in Trinity Halls, was left reeling after his application to run for the position of Ents Officer in the upcoming Students’ Union Sabbatical elections was refused, on the grounds that in the current academic year, he is not a registered student and had not paid the compulsory capitation fee.

McCullagh acted as Ents officer for Trinity Halls JCR in the 2009-2010 academic year, and is currently taking a sabbatical year to focus on his duties as the president of the JCR. McCullagh, who is resuming third year Economics and Maths in the next academic year, has expressed his disappointment in not being able to run and has attempted to appeal the issue to the Electoral Commission, consisting of

various stakeholders in college, however they were not in a position to amend or make an exception in his case.

Speaking to The University Times, McCullagh has said that he believes that no individual is to blame, and that Education Officer Jen Fox was of great help to him. “I don’t think any one person is to blame, Jen Fox was very helpful, basically it was a technical oversight”.

Last week, Trinity students were treated to a jampacked week of events, for the yearly RAG Week, with tutorials and labs not timetabled for the week, students had more than enough time to enjoy and partake in the many events hosted and organized by both students and Trinity Ents, headed by Students’ Union Ents officer Darragh Genockey. The money made from the event went to 8 charities based in and around the Trinity College community, VDP, VTP, S2S, SUAS, FLAC, Amnesty, Cancer Soc and the Student Hardship Fund all benefited from the week of events.

A wide range of students took part in activities across the campus, from dressing up as cartoon characters, tying “animals” to ones bodies, sponsored silences, slave auctions and many

Trinity hires topflight creatives Tomás Sullivan Staff Writer

Barra Roantree College Affairs Correspondent

College has appointed several leading individuals from the arts world, including novelist Terry Pratchett, playwright Michael West and the film-maker Lenny Abramson, as adjunct lecturers and professors.

These appointments are part of a college initiative to improve the links between the college and creative practise in several departments. Individuals are currently working in various creative industries and are at the top of their respective fields. Appointments range from writers, music composers, theatre and filmmakers, to graphic designers and a museum director. They will run classes in the skills of the respective trades, including creative writing and music composition, give lectures, hold readings and collaborate on research projects. The appointments will last for three years.

The provost has said that the new adjunct staff ‘will bring the world of academia and creative practise closer together’, the appointments are part of a much wider college initiative aimed at changing Dublin and Ireland as well as the college, and he said ‘this is but the

first step’.

The Discworld novelist Sir Terry Pratchett, the founder of the Gallery Press Peter Fallon and Irish editor and literary agent Jonathon Williams have been appointed to the Oscar Wilde centre for Creative Writing, historically the first of it’s kind in Ireland. The centre has trained successful young authors such as Claire Kilroy and Chris Binchy. Previously the centre had focused on writing classes but now it is expanding areas such as publishing and literary translation.

Sir Terry Pratchett is seen as an author that has achieved both ‘practical artistic commitment’ and commercial success. He is to give a lecture to the undergraduates of the School of English on Wednesday, 9th of March.

Commenting on his appointment last year he said: ‘Until recently I couldn’t even spell academic and now I are one!’

Playwright Micheal West, as an adjunct lecturer, and director of Siren productions, Selina Cartmell, as Arts Council Artist in Residence will join other practitioners such actress Fiona Shaw and playwright Marina Carr in the Drama department. Next year, the School of Drama, Film and

Music will open the Lir, also known as NADA, in conjunction with RADA (National/Royal Academy of Dramatic Art respectively), which will offer programmes such as a new BA in acting and Ireland’s first Masters in Playwriting.

New fields are being opened in areas such as creative technology, where computer science and the arts meet. The new Centre for Creative Technology benefits from five appointments, including the Chief Scientist of a leading visual effects software company, the foundry. The School of Histories and Humanities will gain the expertise of Microsoft Principle Researcher Curtis Wong, a researcher into interactive, data visualisation and media technology.

The great benefit of adjunct professors, the fact that they continue to work in their various fields, also means that they are not comparable to full time academic staff. Yet this new, more practical, and job based, approach to the Arts and Humanities no doubt makes sense in the current climate, and in the context of Trinity, where 50% of students are belong to the Arts and Humanities faculty.

more intriguing and interesting events. With collections taking place throughout the week, the main collection was on Thursday last, when many students took to the streets of Dublin to raise money for the charities benefiting from RAG week. The main event of RAG Week was the RAG ball headlined by Republic of Loose, and supported

by Killer Chloe and Bipolar Empire, students packed the Button Factory for the award winning acts.

Moneys raised from the various events are up over 300% from last year, at time of going to press the amount raised was well over €12,000, a phenomenal improvement on 2010 figures and the most money raised in the week since records began. Ents officer Darragh Genockey said that many people got involved in the activities and he thanked all who took part, “I’d like to give a huge

thank you to Daniel Farrell, Stephen Denham & Camilla Rye, Lucy Whiston, Elaine McDaid, Fiodhna HoranMurphy, Emma Walker, and Tiernan Kennedy, all the charities involved, all the individual fundraisers, everyone in the SU, and every single person who raised money, helped out, donated, or just had some fun”.

The SU and students alike believe that the format of this year’s RAG Week, is something that can be built on in the future, to ensure students and charities continue benefit from RAG in the years to come, “I think we’ve shown that Trinity RAG Week has the potential to be one of the most entertaining weeks for Trinity students, and financially important for Trinity charities. There is no reason why the week cannot grow again next year” said Genockey.

next two decades”.

The Irish Universities Association (IUA) welcomed the report as setting out “a strategic framework for the development of Higher Education”. They echoed the “proposal to develop a system of income contingent loans” and for expansion of participation to focus mainly on “part time and adult learners, post graduate and international students”.

The College noted that the contents of the report had not been “formally discussed by College fora

yet”, referring the University Times to the statement by the (IUA). “many of the recommendations have already been implemented by Trinity already”.

Student reaction was more hostile, with the Union of Students in Ireland saying the recommendations in the report would “lead to brain drain and reduction in access to education”. Gary Redmond, USI president said while he welcomed many of the recommendations relating to part-time students and standards of

Continued from p1

The publication of the Hunt drew a wide range of responses from various groups, many represented on the committee which drew up the report. Launching the report, Minister for Education (and Health) Mary Coughlan said the report was “the future blueprint for the sector” and was necessary given the prediction “the number of students seeking higher education will increase by 70% in the

THE LONG-AWAITED report of the National Strategy Group on Higher Education, known as the Hunt Report after its main author Dr. Colin Hunt, has been published by the government and seems certain to reignite the debate over third level fees.

Despite being submitted to the Cabinet for approval in August, the report was only officially released on 14th January. While there are few surprises contained in the report, which has been subject to persistent leaks since it was submitted, the official publication will force political parties to take an explicit position on the funding of Higher Education.

Recommendations that will be universally welcomed are those relating to barriers facing students from non-traditionary entry routes. Such students, including thousands of parttime students, are currently ineligible for local authority grants. The report calls for parity of treatment for students entering higher education through either traditional or non-traditional routes.

In a blow to Waterford IT’s ambitions to gain full University status, the Strategy Group recommends a “process of evolution and consolidation” for the institute of technology sector. After amalgamating with other institutions, ITs could be eligible to apply for “designation as a technological” university rather than a fully fledged university.

The recommendation that will be of most interest

to prospective students however is the call for a “ reform of student financing, including a new form of direct student contribution based on an upfront fee with a deferred payment facility.” The report bases its recommendation on what it perceives as an inability of the higher education system to sustain growth in numbers while maintaining the quality of courses, as well as higher average private earnings for those who complete higher education. The group “did not consider the technical details of how any [loan] scheme might work”, deferring such a decision to an “expert group with international representation”.

Other recommendations relating to financing are reforms of the recurrent grant allocation model through which institutions receive most of their public funding; reforms for means testing of maintenance grants; and discounted fees for courses in areas of identified skills shortages.

On research matters, the Group recommend that “funding should be based on national priority-setting exercises” identifying “a number of thematic areas in which Ireland can excel, make its mark internationally and maximise economic and social return”.

The report is lacking in the kind of detail and evidence the UK’s recent Browne Review on Higher Education contained, deferring many decisions to expert groups or state agencies. That will not stop the document acting as the reference point for proposals to reform higher education over the coming years, of which we can be assured of many.

period, helping to run the campaign of Labour Councillor Robert Dowds. During his resignation speech he said that “a conflict of interest now exists between my duties and responsibilities as Deputy President of USI and what is in my own personal interest”. Ó Broin said he made the decision after much consultation with close family and friends after he was offered the position. O’ Broin cited the flawed political system in Ireland as one of the main factors for his resignation, “I have seen how flawed our

national political system is and how crucial it is that we change the way we do our business in this country, The Labour Party has committed to making those radical changes in the lifetime of the next Dáil”. Ó Broin will not be replaced as Deputy President, following the USI convention position will not be filled as it is over half way through the boards lifespan and instead his important workload consisting of campaigning for students and informing students of the political position of education in parties mandates, which is an extremely

important task given the imminent March general election will be burdened by existing members of the board.

Organizations in opposition to the USI have reacted angrily to the resignation half way through his paid term. Aidan Rowe, a member of FEE in NUI Maynooth has described O’ Broins resignation as another example of politics intruding with students interests, “I think his stepping down in order to take up a position within the Labour Party validates what FEE has said about the culture of student politics: that Student’s Unions and USI are seen as stepping

stones for students with political ambitions rather than as representative organizations for students.” Stephanie Fleming, Welfare officer in Trinity Students Union also accused O’ Broin of having lost interest in the Trinity College Students Union after his election to USI. O’ Broin officially stepped down as Deputy President on Friday last. His name was removed from the signatories of the USI bank account and replaced with that of Eastern Area Officer John Logue.

teaching, “the proposal for a student loan scheme is unworkable, unfeasible and if it is implemented, it will be a regressive step for this country, and will in fact lead to increased exchequer borrowing”.

Jennifer Fox, education officer for Trinity Students’ Union, said that “while a large amount of the report was positive, there are fundamental flaws linked to a number of the recommendations. I don’t believe it was unplanned that many of the progressive suggestions in

the report are vague while funding changes are specific.”

Unions for staff in third level institutions were more equivocal in their response.

IFUT, the Irish Federation of University Teachers welcomed the call for a substantial increase in funding for higher education, but called the report “uninspiring”. With a change in government imminent, IFUT remarked that “Colin Hunt and his team may well have created one of our alltime most expensive dust

accumulators” Fine Gael said the report illustrated the failures of successive Fianna Fáil governments.

Education spokesperson Fergus O’Dowd TD claimed Fine Gael were the “only political party to set out a comprehensive strategy for reforming third level”, and reiterated his party’s support for a graduate tax.

Ruairí Quinn TD, Labour spokesperson on education, said the delay in the publication of the report “is sadly indicative of the lack of

urgency within the Department of Education and Skills to confront a range of important issues”. He condemned the report’s recommendations on undergraduate fees, saying the conclusions were “vague, poorly described, not quantified in any manner and would receive a D mark if submitted as an answer to a Commerce Degree exam”.

Report reactions vary widely Barra Roantree College Affairs Correspondent

McCullagh in October last, and he spent a lot of time devising campaigns and policies, his friends were also proactive about his decision to run, saying “it occurred to me in October that I might think about running, all my friends gave me a lot of support, they all really wanted to get involved. I did spend some time coming up with a campaign and policies”.

McCullagh has now put his support behind the

Hunt Report published

RAG Week take up 300% USI Dep Pres resigns due to conflict of interest Ciaran Nolan Research Editor

He also said that this rule was getting in the way of fair competition and the majority of students would not have knowledge of the SU’s constitution, “It’s pretty unjust and unfair that I can’t run. I think competition is helpful, students don’t have a knowledge of the constitution and they want who they think is best for the job to be available to them.”

The idea to run for the position of Ents officer came to

campaign of Ents candidate, Chris O’ Connor who he says has similar views for the position as his own views, “I’m helping Chris O’Connor with his campaign. Chris is a good friend of mine and our policies were very similar”.

McCullagh has not made a decision on whether or not he will run for the position of Ents officer in the 2012 sabbatical elections.

Academic freedom discussed Barra Roantree College Affairs Correspondent As the national press descended upon Merrion Street to hear Brian Cowen deliver his resignation last Saturday, a very different gathering was taking place in the Gresham Hotel. Academics from around the country met to discuss opposition to the implementation of the Croke Park agreement and public sector pay and reform, which they perceive to be an attack on academic freedom.

The public meeting was called following a letter to the Irish Times signed by over 150 academics, led by UCD Professor Emeritus of Politics Tom Garvin, which cautioned that the “imposition of managerialist structures and business models” combined with proposed changes to tenure posed a “serious threat to academic freedom, Irish scholarship and indeed, Irish democracy”.

A diverse group of speakers addressed the meeting, with some stressing that opposition to the Croke Park agreement should be part of a wider opposition to the “capitalist system and market Stalinism”. Mr. Martin O’Grady (Tralee IT) attacked “tyrannical and destructive growth” which was being applied to student numbers by “educational industrialists”. He decried government targets to increase participation in higher education, saying we “cannot have a university which educates the most intellectually capable and the less intellectually capable”.

Former Fine Gael Taoiseach Dr. Garrett FitzGerald said those attending the meeting had the opportunity of forming a body “concerned with academic issues, not the interests of academics.” He spoke of the early experience of the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT), which was initially proposed to fulfill such a function, before becoming a trade union for University staff.

Senator David Norris also addressed the meeting, expressing solidarity with those there. He highlighted the successful amendment made to the 1997 Universities Act by Senator Joe Lee and himself, which enshrined the responsibility of Universities to “preserve and promote the traditional principles of academic freedom in the conduct of its internal and external affairs”.

This amendment formed the basis for Swedish legislation on the issue soon after.

The initial recommendation of the meeting was that academics should petition their respective governing bodies to call for a declaration on academic freedom, similar to the one passed by the Board of Trinity College Dublin earlier this year.

If the passion evident at the meeting is replicated in opposition to the Croke Park reforms, University managers could find it increasingly challenging to keep finances in the black without looking at cutting pay again.

3

The University Times | Tuesday, January 25th 2010

TIMESNEWS Rachel Barry SS Law Education Officer This Wicklow girl with a Liverpudlian twang looks set to be the only Education Officer candidate from the Arts Block.

The current assistant campaigns officer for the SU, it’s fair to say that Barry has spent much of the year preparing for this race, being highly visible as an organiser of the “Education not Emigration” and “I’m a Vote” campaigns.

Barry has held numerous positions on various student bodies, including a stint on the SU Electoral Commission, a Law Soc class rep and a committee rep on the netball club. The twenty-two year old is one of three Law students vying for a position on next year’s Sabbatical team.

With an intimate knowledge of the demands of the office, Barry hopes to bring the committee work of the Education Officer out of the meeting rooms and into the light by providing a fortnightly report on the progress of the SU in campaigning or increased library hours and a

John Cooney SS Engineering Education It came as no real surprise that longtime SU activist John Cooney will be contesting the election for Education Officer. Since his first year in college the fourth year Mechanical Engineering student has been involved in activities on campus.

Last year he represented his school as Engineering School Convenor and Deputy Faculty Convenor for Engineering,

Aaron Heffernan JS Law, Harvard President After winning the primaries in early February, Aaron Heffernan will be contesting the election of the President of the USA (United Students (a)Union).

Positions this candidate has held in the past include President of the Harvard Law Review, PGA golf championship winner, United States Senator and President of the United States of America (USA). He claims that this is an “honour ...it will fare in the top eight things I have done in my life if elected”, ranking it ahead of “breakfast” but behind “my recent Nobel peace prize”.

When he was asked about the state that the Union was in he clarified that he had already addressed this in his recent ‘State of the Union’ speech and refuses to be drawn into a debate on the matter. On what he would change about Trinity College, he has replied that he was inspired after a recent viewing of “Back To Future 2” in which the characters “were all

Sebastien LeCocq SS History & Philosophy President Sebastien Lecocq is an outspoken Englishman with an eye on pipping his fellow Englishman, Bartlett, to the Presidential post.

An altogether different candidate to Bartlett’s CV-filled manifesto, Lecocq says that what he lacks in extra-curricular experience, he makes up for in dedication and ideas. The twenty-two year old has dedicated himself to getting “the

better plan for semesterisation.

Barry also wants to see the Education Officer take a more proactive view in formulating policy with the College Board instead of adopting a reactionary stance to decisions made within the academic community. With a new Provost in place and a reshuffle in the various positions of authority, Barry sees an opportunity for the student body to assert itself in the new hierarchy.

One issue on which Barry sees a real lack of progress is Christmas Exams.

While 90% of students voted in favour of Christmas exams last year, there have been no announcements of any new policies from college to accommodate the obvious student opposition to the lack of continued assessment.

“Trinity is falling behind other colleges on this issue,” says Barry. “Continuous assessment improves overall academic performance and doesn’t adversely affect the college experience. A clear proposal taking into account differences in faculties and drawing on examples of semesterisation in other colleges should be drawn up and presented to college by Maths and Science. One of his more notable achievements was the founding of EMS Day, an annual event which has raised over €9,000.

This year Cooney claims to have minimised his SU involvement in order to focus on his academic work. This has allowed him to gain some perspective on the work the SU does. With first-hand experience of being on the grant, failing exams and taking out a welfare loan, Cooney claims that he has seen how SU services can be delivered more effectively and efficiently.

“In general, I think the Students’ Union needs to be much more approachable, transparent and efficient,” says Cooney. “I found it surprising that a lot of students I’ve talked to didn’t even know who some of their Sabbatical Officers were. The SU can often be seen as a clique - this must change as it could discourage students from seeking its assistance when they really need it.”

Like almost all Education Officer candidates in recent years, Cooney maintains that the SU should keep students better informed of its policies and encourage ordinary students to participate using “hover-boards”, which he deemed “pretty awesome”; the candidate believes that Trinity Students should receive hoverboards as one of their “basic rights”. He also claims that he will “fight anyone” that disagrees with this.

The candidate most importantly understands about student finances, which is something he knows we’re all concerned with. This is why a fundamental part of his mandate will offer change. Change you and he can believe in, change you and he can touch, change you and he can spend in a shop. Literal, honest-to-God change. COINS. He also believes that the “don’t ask, don’t tell policy” that Trinity has operated on over the last few years is shameful. He also feels that students who hang around the Arts Block should be able to express themselves in which ever way they see fit. This may through wearing silly clothes, sporting ridiculous hairdoes and enjoying inane conversations about said silly clothes and ridiculous hair-does. This he feels “can be more than just a dream”.

One of the College’s potential best possible grade” in his degree and immersing himself in the Irish culture.

A class rep this year, the History and Philosophy student has attended SU council regularly to ask “pertinent questions”. Lecocq is of the opinion that SU is far too centred on the fees issue. While he acknowledges the importance of this issue to Trinity students, he feels that the SU is out of touch with the student body.

“For instance, though we should campaign against fees and lobby TD’s, we should definitely not be unofficially supporting particular parties just because they support us on one issue,” said Lecocq. “The SU should not be affiliated with particular parties and ‘suggesting’ to vote certain ways, is not part of what the SU was set up to do. After all, though a party may support us on fees does not mean that their policies, as a whole over the long-term, will be in the benefit of future students and the country as a whole.”

Lecocq has a novel approach to combating the cuts in the student grant. “I wish to introduce a grant from the SU, to these poorer students. We would not ask for this money back. I would fund this

Ryan Bartlett JS Theoretical Physics President

the start of next academic year .”

Recognising the plight facing many undergrads entering the job market, Barry wants to see the SU organising graduate fairs where Trinity students can meet prospective employers face-to-face and get information on internships and job prospects.

in SU Council The usual bugbear of all Education Officers is the relatively poor library services offered to Trinity students. As Cooney says, “We have the biggest library in Ireland, however we still have the lowest opening hours of any University in the country, even with the current Sunday opening!”

On the course the college should take in the future, Cooney notes that the country will more than likely have a new government by late Spring and Trinity will have a new Provost in August, making student involvement in the policymaking process, particularly in regards to the issue of fees where there is broad consent that fees should be avoided but also a growing recognition of the fact that an increased student contribution of some sort is unavoidable.

It’s widely assumed that Ryan Bartlett has been planning a run for SU President since he was elected class rep in his first year. Now in third year, the theoretical physics student is following through on this long held ambition.

Bartlett has been omnipresent on campus since his first year and, this year, has done the seemingly impossible by increasing his extra-curricular workload.

Such is his inclination to be present at college events, Bartlett has reportedly recruited note-takers from his class to ensure that his implicit electioneering doesn’t take too heavy a toll on his degree.

The Englishman, who’ll turn twentyone on the first day of campaigning, has been onvolved in sports clubs, student societies and the SU. He’s served as PRO and Intermediates Manager for the GAA club and as men’s captain of the swimming and water polo club. He was on the

Ronan Costello SS Law Communications Officer Ronan Costello comes into the Communications race as the odds-on favourite. It helps that he’s uncontested. The newspaper and media junkie has been lining up a run at the job since his second year. Now in his fourth year, Costello reckons he has built up the experience necessary to tackle the position.

In his four years, the Carlow man has been heavily involved in student

Caroline Keating SS Occupational Therapy Welfare Officer

Presidents looks forward to getting out amongst the students to “kiss hands” and “shake some babies” and find out what is really wanted from a Student Union President.

by cutting back on the costs of class rep training, and other areas of SU expenditure.”

Lecocq asserts that the SU is “primarly funded by private sponsorship”. In reality, the SU relies on the student contribution for about 50% of its funding.

As regards general cuts that will affect the students, Lecocoq wishes “to make sure the next Provost keeps to the assurances, made by the current Provost, that he will defend teaching and research in trinity from being cut; and will not cut the arts and humanities budget in order to keep the science budget the same.”

“I want students to be able to leave the 24 hour study room at 2am, to grab a coffee and a bite to eat, and then be able to resume their work; instead of being barred access,” says Lecocq. “I do not feel students should have to pay fees, to use services in the Sports Centre, when they are already paying a yearly subscription.”

Caroline Keating has been involved in the SU for as long as she’s been in college. The twenty-one year old was elected class rep in her first year in college and has been active in campaigns ever since.

The Occupational Therapy student has had experience working with people with mental health problems and keeping people informed of services available to them. She says that she would bring these skills to the position of Welfare Officer.

“I have been involved in the Student’s Union the past 4 years, as a class rep then as a member of the electoral commission and am currently the Health Science Faculty Convenor,” said Keating. “I have been a Welfairy the past two years and am currently a member of the welfare committee. I have been involved many societies in different positions of responsibility and am currently secretary

Louisa Miller SS Social Work Welfare Officer Like a lot of the candidates in this year’s elections, Louisa Miller’s run at her desired job has been a long time coming. The Laois native admits that she’s been thinking about it for “at least the last year and a half”.

A fourth year Social Work student, Miller’s course would seem to place her in a position of relative expertise. “I think

organising committee for RAG Week, the SU campaigns committee, the education committee and the Joint Executive of the SU. Reflecting his international credentials, Bartlett was also the International Students Officer of the SU as well as the convenor for the EMS faculty.

While this list is by no means exhaustive, it serves to highlight the work ethic that has made Bartlett an invaluable presence to those in the SU who count on enthusiastic volunteers to implement policy.

Bartlett feels that his experience has allowed him to learn from the mistakes of past Presidents. “With my experience comes the ability to put the issues in context and find solutions that work,” says Bartlett. “One of the most important changes that should be implemented in the Students’ Union is to make it more transparent to all students.”

“There are many simple changes that could make a massive improvement to the lives of students in college. For example, I am currently working on getting timetables put up on the doors of journalism and society-level communications. As News Editor for The University Times he has overseen a news team staffed by Rónán Burtenshaw and Barra Roantree that has broken stories which were picked up by the national media, including an article outing College Board appointment Jackie Gallagher as a former special adviser to Bertie Ahern and publishing a leaked survey of academics that showed academic dissatisfaction with the restructuring process.

Prior to holding this position, Costello had also acted as Deputy Editor and Opinion Editor for the old “University Record” in his second year. He’s been elected class rep twice and sat on the SU Communications Committee, creating strategies for SU campaigns.

Costello was also elected PRO of the DU Law Soc. In that position he produced the first Law Shock magazine that was sent out to all incoming Freshers.

This raised the profile of the society and helped it almost double its membership that year.

“If elected I intend to ensure that The University Times continues to unearth stories that help students hold College of the Juggling and Circus Skills Society, Amenities officer of Dance Society and Chairperson of Therapy Society.”

As an off-campus student, Keating believes that a lot more has to be done to advertise the Union’s services both on and off campus in order to raise awareness of things like the welfare loan to those who need it the most.

“Late night opening hours for particular services and also clinics off-campus locations would also help to promote the Union,” said Keating. “As for college in general, I think there also needs to be more accessibility and promotion of non-SU services and to remind students of what they can benefit from.”

Keating believes that welfare services should not just be confined to House 6 and that more of an effort should be made to make students aware of all that is available to them, “The accommodation advisory service is also sometime that I would like to continue to improve and to keep it up and running throughout the year,” says Keating. “This would assist international students particularly. The ATIC rooms are a I can bring so much to this position as I have a lot of experience in different areas that will be useful for this position,” says Miller. “We all need a little help now and then, with the smallest or greatest of issues. I feel that I am prepared to handle anything that may come to the door.”

“In second year I did a placement in the adult mental health services. It reinforced to me that our mental health is so important and it needs to and should be looked after.”

The twenty-two year old is currently Vice President of Activities for Vincent de Paul. “This means that I am there to help all of the activity leaders if they need me. I’m responsible for the Garda vetting of volunteers, child protection, queries from students and I take part in different activities every week.”

Miller rose to this position as a result of her work in setting up classes which helped adults with literacy difficulties and for overseeing the counselling classes for two years. This is her seventh year as a member of VdP. She was also a peer supporter in Trinity Halls in her second year of college.

Not content with bringing her brand

computer rooms, so students can see when they are free.”

One issue that has vexed many involved in sporting clubs in recent years is the lack of student input on what student contributions to the Department of Sport are spent. Bartlett believes that “the student contribution can no longer be allowed to disappear into a black hole.”

to account. We’ve had a great team this year, next year I want to build on our successes,” said Costello.

Aware of the disconnect between SU policy making and the general student body, Costello wants to organise “SU Town Hall meetings, held in the GMB and open to all students. These will be public meetings, where guest speakers will inform students about the issues we face. Any students in attendance who want to have their say can do so. These meetings will hopefully become an instrumental part in formulating SU policy that is truly representative of the student body.”

“I also want to increase the video output of the SU. Students will watch a video far quicker than they would read a report,” said a passionate Costello. “I want to ensure that the SU Facebook page is regularly updated with video reports on stories that matter as well as video interviews with the Sabbats and other Union officials, so that students know that their representatives are doing what they’re being paid to do.”

service that could continue to improve, especially in off campus locations, and I would like to work closely with the Disability Services and the Disability Officer next year to ensure services are most beneficial to those who need them.

I have in-depth knowledge of how the Student’s Union works and how college itself operates and so feel that I would be able to work within the current system to make these important changes.” of welfare to the students of Trinity, Miller was a Suas volunteer last summer in Kolkata. Miller said that she learned a lot on the trip, including how to manage a team and how to cope with working under pressure.

Miller thinks that the SU can and should do a lot more to improve its student services. “For example, it is their responsibility to fight for after-hours services for those hundreds of students who are on placement and cannot access certain services during the week,” says Miller. “It is their responsibility to make the transition to college life not just bearable but enjoyable. There is something on every single day for students, yet only a small proportion of students are engaging in these. This can be changed.”

Overleaf: McDaid, O’Connor, O’Gorman, Kennedy

Tuesday, January 25th 2011 | The University Times

4

TIMESNEWS

Elaine McDaid SS Law Ents Officer This year’s prospective Ents candidates are, as ever, already firmly dug into the Ents crew. None more so than Elaine McDaid, the current Secretary of the Ents Crew and Ents Officer for DU Snowsports Club. Managing a 300 strong team of enthusiastic volunteers, the Derry girl and Senior Sophister law student plans to climb the final rung on the Ents ladder.

McDaid’s responsibilities as Ents

Darren O’Gorman SF Natural Science Welfare Officer Continuing the recent trend of having the LGBT Auditor as a candidate for the Welfare Office, Darren O’Gorman has thrown his hat into the ring as the only male in the race.

The second year Natural Sciences student has shown considerable commitment to the LGBT cause, as evidenced by his swift rise to the position of Auditor.

In his first year, O’Gorman was Publicity Officer of the LGBT and worked hard to bring the LGBT to a wider audience. O’Gorman also claims that he has been “involved with every Welfare campaign since I’ve come to college.” Added to this, O’Gorman was a tutor for Voluntary Tuition Program.

As regards improvements that could be made to the way the SU operates, O’Gorman says that “the structures of the Student’s Union should be more transparent. I want every student to be aware of and comfortable with the

Secretary see her co-ordinating events and raising funds for the Ents war chest.

Twenty-two years old, she’s also also been involved with Trinity Singers, acting as PRO during her second and third year of college. This year Elaine has run events and fundraisers in conjunction with Cancer Soc, VdP and many of the sports clubs in college. She has also hosted numerous class parties in the Mezz, where she runs promotion for “Messy” on Tuesdays.

McDaid also runs “Vogue” at Andrews’ Lane Theatre, a night that has proven very popular with Trinity students. With so many strings to her bow, McDaid can legitimately claim to be well-connected within the entertainment industry, something she intends to fully utilise next year if she’s elected.

Genockey’s tenure as Ents officer has been widely regarded as successful, with general appreciation for his efforts to cater for a wider variety of tastes than his predecessors and an unmatched work rate which sees him grafting into the wee hours most nights of the week. McDaid seeks to build on this goodwill by giving students more of a say in what they want from their Union, particularly from Ents. services of the SU being their first point of call if they ever want help or advice.”

One area where O’Gorman sees potential for improvement is the general availability of the SU’s welfare service.

“I would aim to make the service that the Welfare Officer provides a more integrated service,” says O’Gorman. “I would like to extend welfare services into off campus clinics” O’Gorman also sees problems with how College deals with students in need of welfare services.

“Welfare services aren’t always easily accessible,” said the Clare man. “I want college services to understand how they can best serve the needs of the student body and help students access the support that they are entitled to. A strong Student’s Union is the best mechanism to do this.”

O’Gorman is of the opinion that dialogue between college services and the Welfare office is the most important way to ensure the best quality service for all students.

O’Gorman is also keenly aware of the importance of the welfare office in this challenging economic times. “In times of

Mc Daid says that “if students are given the chance to run their own live gigs, fundraisers and events, with the support from and backing of Trinity Ents, then we can open up the range of events on and off-campus and make Trinity Ents more accessible to more students across college. Ents should exist as a resource for all students.” Citing the unprecedented success of RAG Week as an example of how independently organised ventures can have great success and enrich college life, McDaid wants to see Entssupported events organised by eager students who want to offer something different to a college community with diverse tastes.

McDaid feels that one of the obstacles students face in organising on-campus events is the plethora of college regulations which can deter even the most enthusiastic event organiser. McDaid says that she has “four years of experience navigating the often tricky college system and will encourage and support the use of these venues, helping students run their own events in their own space.”

Chris O’Connor JS Law Ents Officer With a Law head-to-head in Ents this year, Chris O’Connor will have to impress voters with his ideas and enthusiasm. His competitor has the edge in experience but that doesn’t faze O’Connor.

The twenty-one year old has been active in a diverse group of societies. The ents officer for the Trinity Investors Society has worked with the Sailing Club and the DU Snowsports Club, as well as having a brief stint on the Ents executive.

Tiernan Kennedy SS Engineering Ents Officer

difficult financial circumstances for the country as a whole,” O’Gorman said to The University Times. “The Welfare office has the potential to be the most important point of contact with the Student’s Union for the student body. I would make sure that lobbying on the implementation of the Students Support Bill would continue to ensure an efficient grant system came to fruition.I would make sure to defend Welfare and SU budgets in an effort to protect the most vulnerable in college.”

Some late-breaking news from the corridors of House 6: as we were going to print, word reached us that after a weekend of hemming and hawing, Tiernan Kennedy has submitted his nomination form for the position of Ents Officer.

Kennedy has long held out that he would not run for the position, preferring to stay out to clear the path for longtime friend and fellow DUSSC committee member Elaine McDaid.

Late on Sunday night, Kennedy denied in a phone conversation with The University Times that he would be contesting the position, but all of that changed at 3pm yesterday afternoon as DUSSC Captain Rory Farrell raced around campus collecting nomination signatures on his behalf. It is also rumoured that Farrell put up the e50 deposit required for nomination.

The late nomination is liable to cause hassle in Genockey’s Ents Crew, with his second- and third-in-command now

As for his ideas, O’Connor thinks that Trinity Ents needs to bring our students to better locations. “To this end I have worked with Dandelion, DTwo, The Wright Venue, Pygmalion among others.

The possibilities are endless for clubbing in Dublin and its time the blinkers came off,” O’Connor said to The University Times. “There needs to be lower prices for Ents nights. Under my leadership we should be able to negotiate with clubs in order to guarantee a low price entry fee to all top venues. Students should never have to pay a cover charge of more than e5.”

In an unusual move, O’Connor looks set to appeal to the postgraduate community. “Postgraduates feature strongly in my thoughts and I plan to introduce a special Ents team to cater for their needs,” claims the young Dubliner.

“Separate nights and a discount card are just a taste of what’s in the pipeline for them.”

As well as the postgraduate students, O’Connor aims to target the sports clubs. At the moment a lot of clubs have their separate nights out but O’Connor wants to unite the sports clubs on joint nights out. vying for the position.

The shaggy-haired Engineering student from Galway has been involved in Entertainments since first transferring to Trinity following stints in NUIG and the Temple Bar Music Centre.

Tiernan has put his technological skills to good use: as Trinity Ents Technical Officer, he is responsible for making sure that all of the electrical bits and pieces required to run an event work properly, and as Media Officer with DUSSC he is responsible for the club’s website, video and photography. He’s also put in good work as a member of the Cancer Society Committee, organising this year’s naked calendar with his own particularly pervy flair.

Unfortunately, we have to go to print now, and we’re given to understand that Kennedy is locked in a heated phone conversation with McDaid, so we won’t be able to get in touch with him to talk about his policies. However, if we know Tiernan, his brand of Ents will be boisterous and hilarious with the particular brand of fun that only a Galway man can bring to the table.

We’re also not ruling out Kennedy

In general, O’Connor believes that the position of Ents officer has developed significantly in the last number of years and that it can only get better with him at the helm. He believes that the students should always have their own say in terms of the entertainment for the college through forums and polls on the Ents website.

“Using these methods of polling, I will like to take ents to the next level, ensuring student get exactly what they want,” he claims. “For example I would like to bring big acts to Dublin frequently to play concerts exclusively for Trinity students. Not only would these be outstanding events in themselves, but would increase the attractiveness to artists of the Trinity Ball, further enhancing the headline of every Ents year.”

bottling the nomination at the late stages, given his close relationship with McDaid.

Watch www.universitytimes.ie for more information on this story as it develops.

Belfield’s Boy: Des Fitzgerald, Provostial candidate After being cleared for nomination, College Affairs Correspondent Barra Roantree approached external Provostial candidate Des Fitzgerald to talk about his vision for the office, the Croke Park agreement, and his controversial €400,000 pay packet in UCD

Professor Desmond FitzGerald comes to the Provostial election with a wealth of experience, both at home and abroad. Graduating from UCD’s medical school in 1977, he trained in cardiology and clinical pharmacology at Vanderbilt University in the US, heading up a large coronary care facility. He returned to Ireland in 1991 to take up an academic consultant role with the Mater Hospital, before being appointed professor and head of the Clinical Pharmacology department in RCSI. After moving to UCD and establishing Ireland’s first Clinical Research Centre, the CSET Centre for Human Proteonics, he was appointed vice-President for Research in 2004.

Fitzgerald is now seeking election as the next Provost of Trinity College Dublin.

He says his number one priority if elected is to increase the autonomy of the University and individuals within it. In his words, he wants to ensure “freedom for the University to make decisions over who its going to recruit, who its going to promote, and which students its

going to teach”.

FitzGerald believes “we’re going to go through a period of tremendous change” in the years to come and Trinity should be “intimately involved in the reshaping of Ireland”. His vision is that the University should be “known for what it does and what it discovers”, providing an “environment where students meet their ambitions”.

income-contingent loan scheme as regrettable but inevitable, given the financial situation facing the state. He links the issue of funding to that of independence, saying “autonomy derives from the ability of the University to make its own decisions, and in order to do that it needs financial stability”. Fitzgerald says his main concern is to uphold

Freedom of information requests submitted by the national media in 2009 revealed that as Vice-President for Research in UCD, Fitzgerald’s salary was over €400,000.

When asked about the funding of Irish higher education, Fitzgerald says he sees the introduction of an

the “basic principle that the university will provide access for all” regardless of means. He points to his own

Prof. Fitzgerald (third from right) at the launch of the TCDUCD Innovation Alliance. Photo: Trinity College Dublin

experience as an undergraduate, when he received a scholarship from Dublin City Council, without which he “could never have attended UCD”.

In regards to the division of staff priorities, Fitzgerald says “research and education are two parts of what the University does” and “that one of the challenges [for Universities] is to better integrate research and teaching”. In addition, he believes “all researchers should be involved in education, and all educators in research”. He sees attempts by the Government to enforce a fixed proportion of time for research in education as misguided, pointing to varying research demands for different staff.

Fitzgerald sympathizes with those who see a managerial culture diluting the academic nature of Universities. He says that “one has to recognize [the University is] a community of people, not a company with a series of departments”, and warns against “overbearing” managerialism.

With opposition mounting to the Croke Park

agreement on public sector pay and reform, it seems increasingly likely that further pay cuts for those working in higher education are on the agenda. Fitzgerald says while the “college has done a very good job already in controlling its costs”, it must continue to do so along with a major focus on income generation. He cites figures from the OECD which show “the amount of funding given to Irish universities, given their output, is way below what it should be” and argues that Irish Universities must work with government to ensure they are adequately funded. Another source of income generation Fitzgerald highlights is increasing the numbers of non-EU students, but he ackowledges “that’s going to require the development of services for students”.

Freedom of information requests submitted by the national media in 2009 revealed that as vice-President for Research in UCD, Fitzgerald’s salary was over €400,000. Along with other senior managers in UCD, Fitzgerald also received an allowance described as

“unlawful” by the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee. When asked if he

be a point of friction with staff if elected, Fitzgerald said that he had “taken a big

Fitzgerald says his main concern is to uphold the “basic principle that the university will provide access for all” regardless of means. He points to his own experience as an undergraduate, when he received a scholarship from Dublin City Council, without which he “could never have attended UCD”.

felt his former remuneration package could prove to

cut in salary” which he accepted, and that payments

like those he received were a relic of the Celtic Tiger days.

With the salary of Provost half that of his current position, Fitzgerald is clearly motivated by much more than money.

Having been cleared to seek election for Provost following an interview with members of the University Board earlier this month, Fitzgerald is at a disadvantage being an external candidate for the position. The last Provost appointed to the position from outside the University was F.S.L. Lyons, who served as Provost from 1974-81, though he previously studied and taught in Trinity. While Fitzgerald has spent much of his adult life at UCD as both a student and academic, he has a connection to Trinity through his two daughters, both scholars in medicine.

With a strong record in attracting funding and developing research in UCD, Fitzgerald’s main challenge is to convince the senior Trinity academics who will vote in the election that the time is right for an outsider to move into No.1 Grafton Street.

5

The University Times | Tuesday, January 25th 2011

TIMESFEATURES

Hacktivism gets political Tommy Gavin talks to internet activists, self-dubbed “Anons” and representatives of the Pirate Party, a group advocating information freedom Tommy Gavin Deputy Editor What is Anonymous? Is it a relentless and merciless and merciless cabal of cyber-terrorists whose collective passing whims can wreak havoc on lives and organisations? Is it a gathering of online activists who champion free expression and fight tyrannical oppression? Or is it a horde of bored 15 year-olds whose attention span has been scrambled from unlimited access to the greatest information and communication resource in the history of cognitive thought? Anonymous is all of those things, and none.

It is whatever the individual behind the monitor wants it to be, and if enough people join them, the shared will of Anonymous is exercised, for good or ill. Often times, this will is in the pursuit of Lulz, i.e. for the hell of it. Other times, it is to correct a perceived wrongdoing, such as the existence of scientology, or identifying Mary Bale as the person captured on CCTV throwing a cat in a wheelie bin in Coventry, UK. Most who claim the mantle though are people who post on websites like 4chan.org and Encyclopedia Dramatica (ED), with a shared sense of humour, jokes and nomenclature.

Earlier this month, a Fine Gael statement was released claiming that their U.S. based website was “professionally hacked” by “the Anonymous group,” even

though the site was “absolutely secure” according to one FG spokesperson. That this was reported without correction betrays an ignorance of the internet by FG and a lack of basic research by the national media. In reality, while an Anonymous banner was left on the FG website, credit was claimed by “rapesauce” and “palladium”, thus they were not anonymous. Far from “absolutely secure,” a ridiculous phrase in itself, the “professional hack” was just JavaScript code posted as a comment, altering the code of the website to show the banner. It was a comically unsecure website. However, this was the fi rst time Anonymous was commented on in mainstream Irish media.

Irish ‘Anons’ are not a new phenomenon; they have been publicly protesting the scientology headquarters on middle abbey street once a month for over three years now. They are not a large group, but they’re consistent and determined, and they genuinely want to warn people about what they see as an “exploitative cult”. Their ranks include disgruntled ex-scientologists and students & graduates of unnamed colleges who wear the Guy Fawkes mask from V for Vendetta.

Most of them are not necessarily highly skilled at computer use, but still may be self-professed ‘nerds’. They dispute that Anonymous is anything other than a vague idea though, a private joke;

whether one crowd of people can legitimately represent the Anonymous more than another is in dispute even among them.

They are personally united by a shared contempt for scientology, and ethos that dictates “if you’re going to have fun at someone else’s expense, they may as well deserve it.” They reject that they are members of an organisation or group, but rather believe “it’s a methodology, a banner you can act under.” While there is a shared culture, well documented on ED, there is no organisational structure or hierarchy. In Ireland, those who claim to represent Anonymous are typically antiscientology fi rst, Anonymous second. So while the effort against scientology may be one international Anonymous project (project chanology), most Irish Anons feel no obligation beyond protesting scientology.

They did bring placards supporting wikileaks to their latest protest as it coincided with global wikileaks support rally day, but they were discarded as the whole thing was seen as being too confusing.

The Pirate Party International (PPI) is another movement that has sprung from the internet, only it is a serious political movement centred around intellectual property law reform, and has 2 sitting members of

European Parliament. None of those p r e -

sent at the scientology protest were aware that there is an Irish Party, which is testament only to its own inactivity. One Anon said that he would vote for them if

they were politically serious

because “they’re big into freedom of speech, have good computer literacy, are likely to have a good

level of scientific literacy which is something just so absent from our current crop in the Dáil.”

While the Irish Pirate Party have been

mo s tly inactive over the last few months and unavailable for comment, there is a DU Pirate Party active on Trinity campus.

Founded two years ago

by Theoretical Physics student Stephanie Hyland and now graduate Stephan Roantree, it took inspiration from the PPI , and actually predates the Irish Pirate

Party. Still a provisional society, DUPP has over 150 members, but they are not a youth version of the Irish Pirate Party. Hyland explained “we see ourselves and the Irish Pirate Party as both being subsets of PPI, rather than us answering to them.” The Student response to the society has been mixed, with some students already being aware of what the society is about, while others confuse it for a pirate-appreciation society.

“Law students were particularly interested due to our stance on intellectual property reform, but they have some opposition to joining political societies.” Member Padraig Coughlan disagrees that they are necessarily a political society as they do not give any endorsements or do campaigning; “While these are issues that greatly impact society as a whole, unfortunately not a lot of people feel that way, we’re predominantly just trying to raise awareness.”

The Irish Pirate Party has no discernable plans for the imminent general election, but the UK pirate party under Laurence ‘Loz’ Kaye has been extremely busy raising its profi le, and in his words “punching above our weight.” Kaye describes himself as part of a second wave of activists coming into the party who are not very computer savvy, but are drawn to it for its aims and beliefs, as he sees it as the only party that addresses issues regarding the internet. “My background is as a musician and one of the things I was particularly unhappy about was how the musicians union began to get involved in the same kind of lobbying as the music industry, cracking down

on fi le sharing and punishing fans. The whole industry music body released a report on the 20th of January about how 2011 is the year they’ll crack down on music piracy, bringing in legislation in countries across the world. Its an international issue.”

Kaye was initially drawn to the party due to its opposition to the Digital Economy Act which threatened to cut people off the internet for fi le sharing. “I’m not out to do myself out of my own wage packet, we’re just asking for balance; the latest figures show that despite the complaints of the music industry, never in the history of recording has have so many units been sold.

Physical units are down, but the internet presents a whole new distribution model that people are using to purchase music, but fi le sharing is hardly different than burning cd’s or making photocopies.” The party also wishes to see patent law reform, to prevent pharmaceutical companies from “holding the sick and dying to ransom.” According to PPUK figures, by removing the existing patent laws and using 33% of the money used to subsidise generic drugs to research new medicine, the same amount of research would be done for less, with more medicine generally available. The PPUK is now making plans for contesting the Scottish parliamentary election, where they will have a greater chance due to the PR system, as opposed to the British fi rst past the post.

“I’ve talked to people in other parties, and some of them are beginning to look over their shoulder.”

Trinity student on life on the ground in Afghanistan Caelainn Hogan Features Editor International ‘skypeathons’ are not what come to mind when one thinks of Afghanistan, but it is one of many innovative projects undertaken by the Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers (AYPV), who Farah Mokhtareizadeh travelled to Kabul to work with. Currently writing a PhD in Trinity focussed on female activism and women’s rights in Afghanistan, Farah claims “I got my start in all of this in Ireland because the fl ights would always stop in Shannon!”, having been a witness at the controversial Pit Stop

Ploughshares trial. She travelled to Iraq with Voices for Creative Non-Violence, an organisation she has worked with for the past ten years, in its campaign against sanctions policy. The organisation’s objective is to educate the public about US Foreign policy in the Middle East and to give a true report of how it affects the civilians on the ground and also to oppose “any kind of violence, whether it be economic or military violence, in countries in the Middle East predominantly.”

After Iraq, Farah explained that “many of us felt badly that our focus had been so much on Iraq

even though the fi rst country the US invaded was Afghanistan, the US has been there for more than 10 years now.” She is careful to emphasise that since her experience of Afghanistan was limited to Kabul, she cannot say she has “an idea of what it’s like to be under the warfare of Afghanistan”, which is mostly in the Southwest. Although she and her group wanted to travel further afield “the UN had decided that they weren’t going to take us and we don’t know exactly why”. What she did experience of Kabul was a city that resembled a giant prison, with no sewage system in place, and air

so polluted a reported 3,000 people died from that alone last year.

The AYPV is a small organisation set up four years ago, formed by young Afghanies, mostly from Hazara families in the Bamiyan Province. “Hazara’s were one of the most persecuted groups in Afghanistan before the invasion, because they’re an ethnic minority and also a religious minority, so that’s the amazing thing about them, that this group that has been the most discriminated against in their country is trying the hardest to bring together themselves with other groups.” The AYPV had read

a report submitted by Oxfam to the Lisbon Summit titled ‘Nowehere to Turn’, which gave recommendation to the US and NATO forces on how to create security for civilians. While the report was largely ignored by the summit and the media, the AYPV identified with it, and decided “this is what we feel, this is what we see on the ground, and we’d like to go and interview the NGO’s”. Farah travelled with Voices to Afghanistan to help them with the interviews, getting a better perspective of the situation themselves and helping the AYPV complete their Alternative December Review,

Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers in Afghanistan.

which “not only criticised the military policy but also focussed on the civilian infrastructure, such as education and healthcare” which was ignored by the December review issued by Obama last year.

The ‘skype-athons’ were a reaction to a statement by Hilary Clinton claiming Afghanis didn’t care about world public opinion on the war because they believed they were right and would continue with the same strategy. “So the boys were saying that no, world public opinion matters to us.” and so Farah and the boys organised two 24 hour skype calls to reach out to people

across the world and allow the AYPV to have their say on what their experiences were in their own country and how they wanted it improved. While in Kabul Farah also set up a Twitter and Facebook account for them as well as a blog, although in Bamiyan few people have electricity let alone internet access. From her experience she sees the 2014 deadline for US and NATO forces leaving the country as highly unrealistic. She emphasised the fact that “86% of the Afghan army is illiterate” and the shocking report that a report carried out in the South part of the country revealed that “92%

of men polled said they had never heard of two planes crashing into a building and thought the war was over Islam or the war was between Afghanis themselves.” Her opinion that “people are being fed misinformation about what’s going on in Afghanistan” makes her work with the AYPV even more relevant, providing a new and optimistic forum where young Afghanis can voice their opinions directly on an international scale about alternatives to the military strategy and needed changes for their country.

Tuesday, January 25th 2011 | The University Times

6

TIMESFEATURES

The roots of our rage Rory O’Donovan Senior Staff Writer Have you ever been hit in the face? Have you ever been punched in the ribs?

Kicked in the stomach? Taken a blow to the head? If you have, I am willing to bet you didn’t laugh, didn’t shrug it off with a smile. But so often amongst young adults nowadays, it is not unusual to hear a violent encounter being made light of, a fight being discussed as a joke, or even a beating being described in boastful tones. Violence, particularly the alcohol-infused variety, has become normalised to the extent that, for some, what is legally adjudged to be assault, is considered part-and-parcel of their evenings’ entertainment, a story or a joke to be shared with friends the following day.

Aidan*, a second year Trinity student, tells me he can’t remember the last time he went on a night out without getting in a fight. ‘I am the fi rst to admit that when I was a teenager, I struggled with my temper. It wasn’t that I’d go looking for fights, but when I was drunk, my fuse was shorter and, naturally, the drunken people around me would annoy me. But even now that I have accepted – mainly thanks to wise words from loyal friends – I have a problem with fighting and aggression, no matter how hard I try, trouble still fi nds me.’

Discussing drunken fighting with Trinity students over the Christmas period, I encountered a fairly narrow set of responses: Those who didn’t encounter violence frequently generally abhorred it, identifying the aggressors as idiotic. Others who regularly saw, or were involved in fights themselves, were quick to blame alcohol or drugs, as well as the other parties involved. Most whom I discussed the topic with, also identified a theme

that Aidan touched on – the fact that, for some, violence seems to follow them, no matter how hard they try.

Diane*, another Trinity student, said she often sees male friends fighting on nights out and that it was, more often than not, the same few people who, regardless of their mood or how much they had had to drink, they would end up in violent altercations. “From my experience, it appears that aggressive people can spot other aggressive people very easily, especially when they’re drunk. They seem to know exactly how to push the buttons of their target to ensure that any encounter will result in a fight. No matter how much we plead with a particular friend, that

altercation itself is horrible to watch. I remember how shaken I was the fi rst time I saw a friend of mine in a fight after a night in Coppers. He was punched by a couple of guys until he was on the ground then, with one of his legs up on the curb and him lying in the road, one of them stamped directly on his knee and broke his leg. The two guys ran and I managed to get my friend to hospital. I cried and cried but, as soon as he had been given pain killers and some of our other male friends had come to the hospital, he was laughing and joking about the whole thing. I really couldn’t understand that.”

The case Diane is describing may appear ex-

He was punched by a couple of guys until he was on the ground then, with one of his legs up on the curb and him lying in the road, one of them stamped directly on his knee and broke his leg.

‘it isn’t worth it’, or ‘they’re only trying to wind you up’, it seems that, in the heat of the moment, because they have that tendency, there is no stopping them.”

I asked Diane how she felt when she saw friends involved in a fight: “The actual

treme, but, what can begin as a pointless drunken scuffle, can easily develop into something far more sinister.

The death of eighteen year old Brian Murphy outside Anabel’s nightclub in 2000, caused nationwide outrage and highlighted to many,

particularly a generation of parents, how prevalent and how potentially dangerous drunken violence can be.

The case also highlighted the point that violent altercations are not exclusive to Dublin’s more neglected areas, but that these instances are widespread amongst a particular age-group, rather than a particular class.

Th ree former students of the prestigious Blackrock College were originally charged following the incident, undermining claims that a night out in Dublin 4 was highly unlikely to end up in violent altercations.

Similarly, many of our parents may deem Trinity College as an elite establishment fi lled with respectable and nonviolent students.

Generally speaking, this may be the case, but one would be naïve to think that anywhere that young people gather amongst a potent mixture of drugs and alcohol doesn’t have the potential to become a setting for violent scenes.

So why are young adults who become involved in these altercations often so quick to dismiss them, or to present them to others as entertaining stories? Is it because they have become a social norm? For many, it appears, getting in a fight has become just another part of a night out, along with getting drunk, getting the shift and getting chips.

A friend of mine, who is a former Trinity student, said he and his rugby team often got in fights on nights out, mainly because “with all of us there, we were fairly confident we could win.”

He tells me they would often meet up the next day, laughing about who had been hit, who had done the most hitting and so on. Th is stopped abruptly, he tells me, when one night, a fight got out of hand and someone’s ear was bitten off. CCTV ensured that a court case followed

and a friend of his was imprisoned for eighteen months.

“Somet i mes,” he said, “it takes something horrible to happen to make boys grow up and stop fighting.” *Names have been changed to protect anonymity

The Seanad: Reform, Replace or abolish?

Tomás Sullivan on Trinity’s senators Th is probably isn’t the grandest point in the Seanad’s history to point out Trinity’s strong ties with it, but, then again, with the political parties fighting over who gets the kudos of abolishing the Seanad, it’s also the ideal time to remind people of Trinity’s unique contribution.

Out of six university senators, three are picked by Trinity graduates, while UCD has to vote with the three other NUI institutions to elect the other three and places like DCU and the ITs don’t get a look in. Th is practice dates back to hundreds of years, as before independence Trinity contributed MPs to Britain’s House of Commons. During the Free State Trinity elected TDs, before the modern Seanad Eireann was eventually formed in 1937.

Over the years Trinity has used the privilege well. The best choice that graduates can give themselves a slap on the back for is undoubtedly Mary Robinson. As a Trinity senator she played a crucial role in bringing Irish gender laws out of the stone age: she proposed allowing women to sit on juries, to serve in the civil service and be married at the same time, as

well as working to liberalise rigid contraception laws. She also worked with David Norris as a homosexual rights activist. She is remembered as the fi rst female Irish president, and an international human rights activist now, but it all began with her twenty year career as a Senator.

Other previous senators include the current president of the Law Reform Commission, Catherine McGuinness, the writer and intellectual Conor Cruise O’Brien and Noel Browne, a former Minister for Health that resigned under heavy criticism from the Catholic Church and medical profession over his proposal to provide free healthcare to children under the age of sixteen and free maternity care to all mothers (the Mother and Child scheme).

In modern times the Seanad as a whole is probably best known for senator David Norris, a former student and a lecturer of Trinity’s English department.

He is the leading figure of Ireland’s homosexual rights movement, having taken a case to the European Court of Human Rights to decriminalise homosexuality in

Julianne Cox and Ciara Begley talk about Seanad reform 1988. Perhaps following in Mary Robinson’s footsteps, he has announced that he will seek nomination for presidential election this year.

Shane Ross is another long-serving senator.

He is an award-winning journalist and recently an author of a book criticising the banks and the government. He is to stand as an independent in the forecoming general election.

The fact that Ivana Bacik, the other Trinity senator, is going to run in Dun Laoghaire for Labour could mean a completely new generation of Trinity senators in the 24th Seanad. On the other hand maybe the three realise that there may not be a 24th Seanad and they are jumping ship before being forced to walk the plank.

Arguably Trinity has an unfair privilege, and represents everything elitist about the Seanad, but another view to take is that the calibre of the College’s senators demonstrate how the representation of universities in the Seanad has been invaluable to the country as a whole and should be expanded to other universities rather than completely removed.

Our present Seanad was established by the 1937 Constitution of Ireland.

The Seanad is interwoven with numerous articles of the Constitution, dealing with the legislative, executive and judicial functions of the State. Its establishment had a worthy cause - to ensure that legislation would be critically examined by individuals with particular expertise in the relevant area. Its emphasis on providing a voice for civic society meant that it offered real opportunities for building bridges to citizens. It was supposed to have developed into a political platform where citizens representing different sections of society were provided with a voice and given the opportunity to demand difficult answers from the government.

However, our presently enfeebled Seanad suggests that it has not been developed in this way.

Currently the Seanad’s powers are weak. It has no say in the formation of government, which is entirely decided by lower house, Dáil Eireann. It can delay a bill for up to ninety days but this power is not extended to monetary bills which can only be delayed for up to twenty one days. The Seanad can recommend specific changes

to a bill but this power is weakened by the ability of Dáil Eireann to overrule any suggested amendments. Under article twenty seven the Seanad may petition the President not to sign a bill into legislation but instead to submit it to referendum. Th is has never happened and is unlikely to as government nearly always has majority in Seanad. It is also worth noting that the Tao-

ignored by the media is perhaps worth considering, yet in spite of all six amendments NAMA is still widely considered to have been a spectacular failure. The arguments against retaining the 73 year old Seanad are worthy of some consideration. Report upon report recommended reforming the Seanad, and yet implementation of these recommendations has here-

With a new mechanism of election and a creative ability to adapt and innovate, perhaps the Seanad could inspire and justify the cost of its maintenance. iseach does not take questions from Senators.

When discussing the role of the Seanad with Senator David Norris he hastened to argue that the legislation surrounding NAMA was amended six times by himself and Joe O’Toole another senator. He vehemently pointed out that members of the Seanad are not sitting pretty and indeed, do significant amounts of analysis in fulfi lling their duty of recommending amendments. His frustration that the work done is entirely

tofore failed. Perhaps the question we ought to ask is not why abolish the Seanad, but why keep it? It is arguably an elitist institution; the manner in which members are elected is somewhat undemocratic. The six University candidates – 3 elected by graduates of Trinity and 3 elected by graduates of the National Universities of Ireland seem to spark considerable ire.

In a speech at his party’s Presidential dinner in October of last year, Enda Kenny informed us that he

had reached the conclusion that an upper house of the Oireachtas could not be justified. For all the populist appeal of Kenny’s proposal to abolish the Seanad , it overlooks the importance of the checks and balances that a Second House has the potential to contribute to our democracy. Checks and balances on democracy were established in recognition of the fact that political representatives may be tempted to arrogate power for themselves.

Our current economic and political crisis has testified to one thing above all. It testifies that democracy cannot exist unchecked. The reputation of our Parliament and our politicians is at an all time low. To overcome distrust and build a relationship of mutual respect with the electorate our Parliament must be placed at the centre of an effective democracy. Only the most meaningful reform initiatives will be adequate enough to bring about the constructive change that will enable the public to trust their political system. Enhanced scrutiny of government actions and of legislation is an urgent priority and will not be achieved if checks and balances are removed.

The government is not

dependent on the Seanad and consequently the house is seen to have greater freedom with regard to debate. Th is then is the key distinction, freedom to allow for depth of debate. The Seanad has a philosophical role that is often ill considered. On topics relating to morality and those in vulnerable societal positions the Seanad is (in theory) a guiding hand that ensures the protection of the collective Irish ethos and those likely to suffer at the hand of the legislative decisions of the Dail. The importance of this role is not to be underestimated; it is to be at the centralised as the most important function of the Oireachtas, of Irish politics. Imagine the difference, if those governing us were constantly slammed with references to their actual purpose by senators quoting the proclamation and constitution! With a new mechanism of election, a creative ability to adapt and innovate and increased powers particularly with regard to legislative scrutiny perhaps the Seanad could inspire and justify the €25 million per annum cost of its maintenance. Attempts thus far have failed but does that mean we should stop trying?

7

The University Times | Tuesday, January 25th 2011

TIMESFEATURES Gerry Adams in his own words - Q&A with Eugene Reavey Are you happy with the reception you have received in the Louth constituency up until now?

Yes. Sinn Féin has held several public meetings in the constituency and will hold several more in this New Year. Thus far the response from everyone has been very positive and welcoming.

Did you know of Dermot Ahern’s illness before you decided to run, and did that influence your decision?

No. What do you think of Dermot Ahern’s comments that there will be a large ‘Anyone but Adams’ vote’ in Louth?

I noticed that some on the social web sites quickly turned his ‘ABA’ back on him with ‘anyone but Ahern’. Truthfully I didn’t pay too much attention to his comments. It’s part of the cut and thrust of politics but I don’t do negative campaigning. The people of Louth and East Meath will determine who represents them in the next Dáil and I don’t believe anyone will be influenced by that sort of jibe. People are concerned about the state of the economy; their jobs or efforts to fi nd employment; about cuts to their benefits; about the state of the schools their children are attending and all of the other more serious matters that affect people in their daily lives.

How will you deal with the transition from the political landscape in the north of Ireland, where partition is such a big issue, to the 26 counties, where more local issues dominate?

Sinn Féin is an all-island – all-Ireland party. In Louth we have a very strong local team of Councillors and a sitting TD, Arthur Morgan, all of whom have done an excellent job representing the party and our constituents. I am also the party leader and consequently I am already very familiar with the breadth of issues that exist in the south. I have been an elected representative in the north for over 25 years and have long experience in dealing with every issue conceivable on behalf of citizens there. That experience will transfer very easily into the south. I am also a team player and I plan to be part of the Sinn Féin team in County Louth and in Leinster House, if I get elected.

So, the transition will not be that difficult.

The issue of partition is just as important for citizens in the south as it is in the north although some may not realise how damaging it is to their lives. Partition has had an adverse impact on all aspects of life on this island from the economy to politics to health care and education and much more. Th is is most obvious along the border counties.

I believe that getting rid of partition and of the tensions and competitions created by having two states on this island will be good for all the

people of Ireland.

Sinn Féin have done well in recent years in border areas, as evidenced by Pearse Doherty’s recent win, how long do you envisage it will take for that progress to reach areas such as the West and the Midlands for example.

Sinn Féin is organisationally underdeveloped as a party in many parts of the south. We recognise that fact and much of our effort in recent years has gone into building the organisation and party capacity. That is a slow process. Already we have good local representatives in many parts of the state and the organisation is getting stronger but there are no short cuts to building a political party. It has to be from the ground up, rooted in communities and relevant to people in their daily lives.

Sinn Féin has consistently said they are not part of the ‘cosy consensus for cuts.’

How important do you think your Republican principles are in deciding where the axe should fall?

If you want to know what our core principles are then read our mission statement the 1916 Proclamation.What is it about? It is about freedom and empowerment of citizens, and equality and inclusivity and sovereignty.

It is about the nation – the whole nation – all 32 counties.

Our core republican principles and values are about citizens rights, fairness, equality, civil liberties, and equal opportunities. These guide us in every decision we take. These are Sinn Féin’s core values.

So, how do we translate all of this into a new type of politics? How do we make genuine republicanism relevant for citizens in 2011?

Pearse Doherty spelt it out eloquently and passionately in his budget speech.

Sinn Féin is about defending public services, constructing a new and fairer tax system. We are about protecting the disabled and disadvantaged, as well as low and middle income earners. Our policies are about stimulating the economy and protecting and creating jobs; promoting the interests of our rural communities, including the promotion of the farming community and fishing industry.

And republicans are for a root and branch reform of this discredited political system. Decisions over the lives of our children and their future should not be surrendered to others. Citizens have the right to be involved in all these matters.

And politicians and other public servants must be accountable to their peers.

All of this is an argument for republican systems of government; that is, systems in which the people are sovereign and equal. Such a society has to be tolerant. Society must reflect and include the entirety of its people, not part of them. Why should

gender or sexual orientation be the basis for the exclusion of anyone? Or disability?

Why should race or class or skin colour or creed give one group of human beings the ability to deny other human beings their full rights or entitlements as citizens?

And if citizens have rights, why are they not all-encompassing rights?

Should the right to the basics for life not include economic rights as well as political and social rights?

Sinn Féin believes that all human beings have the right, as a birthright, to be treated equally. To have the right to a job; to a home; to equal access to a health service that is free at the point of delivery; to equal access to education at all levels for all our children; and to a safe and clean environment.

A rights-based society – a true republic - requires citizens to fulfi l their obligations for the common good.

It also requires the state to inform all citizens of their rights, and to uphold and defend these rights.

The political system in the 26 counties needs completely overhauled and democratised, and all with an eye to advancing the all-Ireland institutions and structures that will benefit society on this island.

I believe that citizens are looking for a new kind of politics. A politics they can trust, that empowers and includes them. A politics that sets aside elites, doesn’t pander to the wealthy and seeks to build a new kind of Ireland.

For all of these reasons I believe there is no more important time; no more relevant time than this for republican politics and core republican values.

And it is these values that determined our pre-budget submission and our opposition to the consensus for cuts that has shaped the politics and policies of the other parties.

In the aftermath of the last general election Sinn Féin took a lot of criticism over their perceived lack of economic savvy, do you think such criticism was fair, and do you think this time round your economic policies can inspire public confidence?

I think you should look back to then and examine what Sinn Féin was saying at that time. We were warning that the wealth of the Celtic Tiger was not being used to build public services for the future, that it was not being used wisely.

We were proposing investment in health and education and infrastructure.

But our message was not one which fitted with the consensus economic politics of the other parties at that time which was about tax cuts and tax breaks for the wealthy.

Today the concerns we were expressing then have come to pass and the political and economic climate has changed. Pearse

Doherty’s critique in the Dáil of the December budget was a tour de force and I believe that more and more citizens are examining carefully our economic proposals and like what they see.

It now seems that the party’s goal of achieving Irish unity by 2016 will not come to fruition. Are you still hopeful of achieving unity in your lifetime, or do you feel the political will amongst the other parties no longer exists?

The party’s primary political objective is to attain Irish reunification. I believe that it is a doable and achievable project. I want it to happen sooner rather than later.

The party never had a position of achieving this by 2016. It will happen when sufficient political and public support has been attained. Bear in mind that under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement the Government of Ireland Act was scrapped and replaced with a new constitutional arrangement. The British government is now committed to legislating for a United Ireland if a majority of citizens in the north want it.

That places a huge challenge before all of us who want Irish unity. We have to win support for it. We have to especially reach out to unionists. But we also need to make the border irrelevant by building on the allIreland dimensions of the Good Friday Agreement and harmonising relations between north and south.

In the North, it is apparent that the perception that a vote for Sinn Féin as a vote for the IRA has long since been dispelled. To what extent do you feel this is a perception which still exists in the South, and how damaging do you think that perception is?

The IRA cessation was 16 years ago. The IRA is gone, the British Army is no longer on our streets, the RUC has been replaced by a new accountable policing service and we have secured the transfer of powers on policing and justice. All of this is as a result of the hard work of many but in my opinion principally because of Sinn Féin’s peace strategy and our efforts through the peace process.

Republicans demonstrated enormous courage, tenacity, negotiation skill and ability in overcoming many, many difficulties during the peace process.

Sinn Féin brings those same talents to the process of change which is long overdue and now widely demanded in the south.

Co. Louth has in recent times become a hot bed for dissident republican activity. Do you think you may be able to wield your influence to help quell such activity?

I disagree with this view. County Louth is not a stronghold for or hot bed of so-called dissident activity. The vast majority of citizens in County Louth as in

all parts of this island reject the activities of these groups. They have no popular support, no strategies to advance republican objectives and by their actions they damage the republican project. They should stop.

Sinn Fein has offered to meet the different organisations involved to outline to them our approach and its merits in achieving republican goals and to listen to their opinions and to discuss these. While one group said it was prepared to meet, thus far that has not happened and the others have refused to talk to us.

At a recent student march, there was an insightful banner which read, “If you think Education is expensive, try ignorance.”

Does Sinn Féin stand in solidarity with students against the imposition of tuition fees, or is the money to continue to pay them simply not there?

Let me give you another quote; ‘Educate that you may be free’. Thomas Davis was a Young Irelander, an Irishman, a Protestant and a standard bearer for Irish people who struggled for an inclusive Irish identity irrespective of individual relig ion, class or creed.

He believed t h a t education was key to the future of the Irish nation.

The short answer to the fi rst part of your question is yes.

Sinn Féin does support students and is opposed to tuition fees. We believe that children and young people have the right to education up to and including third level.

Obviously, this is a college publication; do you ever regret not having the opportunity to experience university life yourself?

Yes, but not enough to distract me too much. Education is for life and every day I learn new things.

What is your message for young undecided voters in Trinity College, who are perhaps toying with the idea of voting for Sinn Féin?

I would obviously want as many students as possible to vote for Sinn Féin. The issue of ignorance and education which you raised in your earlier question applies as much to this issue. The key to deciding who to vote for is education and information.

Look closely at the positions of all the parties. Read their policies. Examine their record of work. And then, with an informed view decide who to support. Sinn Féin’s web site at www.sinnfein.ieand www.unitingireland.ie and www.anphoblact.com

contain our party positions on many issues and our published statements. I believe Sinn Féin offers a real, radical alternative to the staid politics of the other parties. But the decision who to vote for is yours.

If there was to be a Wikileak about Gerry Adams, what would you like it to say?

I have already had that experience prior to Christmas. It will be nice to read a

Wi k i lea k s story in 2025 that records my oft repeated belief that we will see a United Ireland in my lifetime came to pass.

Trinity students forsaking religion - UT survey Ian Curran Deputy Features Editor Tomorrow evening, the inaugural meeting of the 261st session of the College Historical Society will take place in the presence of one of the world’s leading philosophers and several distinguished guests, including Senator Ivana Bacik and Professor Peter Simons, the chair of moral science in Trinity, will respond to a paper authored by auditor Huw Duff y on the topic of modern atheism. With the census looming and one controversial Facebook campaign set up in the last month by Atheist Ireland designed to encourage Irish citizens to

be, “Honest to Godless,” and tell the truth about their religion (or lack there of), the theme of the meeting is definitely of relevance to a lot of people.

With all of this in mind, the University Times put together a survey to gauge student attitudes to atheism and humanism and to see what boxes will be ticked and in what order in the census by Trinity students.

So will Professor Dennet feel at home during his visit to Dublin University? Well it certainly looks that way with 36.2% of surveyed students saying that they do not believe in a god compared to 27.9% who say that they are practicing members of

an organized religion. But it doesn’t explain that while 34% of Trinity students say that they will be ticking the Roman Catholic box in the next census, the atheists are only 12% behind at 22%. Clearly people who are said that they don’t believe in a god are still ticking the Roman Catholic box. Th is may go some way to proving Atheist Ireland’s point that non-believers are still identifying themselves as Catholics.

Fifteen or even ten years ago, it would have been hard to imagine such a close race between Catholicism and atheism. One would think that agnosticism might have received a higher percentage

of the votes but a meagre 7.9% of TCD students identify themselves as members of the latter category. What is truly surprising is that more TCD students would identify themselves as atheist than lapsed Catholics (10.2%). In fact, a higher percentage of Trinity students actually identify themselves as atheists than any other religion that appeared on the census in 2006 other than Roman Catholic; including Church of Ireland and Islam. Of course there was the obligatory, “Jedi,” who completed the survey but a shocking scarcity of, “Sith,” subscribers.

The public’s attitude to atheism has yielded many

a silly statement over the course of history; whether it’s George Bush’s halfbaked notion that atheists shouldn’t be considered citizens of the U.S. or one surveyed Trinity student’s statement that atheists are, “attention-seeking.” But according to our survey, most students feel that there is little or no stigma attached to calling one’s self an atheist in contemporary Irish society (32.8%). However, only a very slightly smaller percentage of students feel that there is a defi nite stigma attached public and private individuals who call themselves atheists (25.1%).

Slightly smaller than this again is the percentage of

students who fell that those in the public eye who identify themselves as secularists face negative publicity (21.6%). It’s a fair point, considering the fact that only two openly atheist members of the Oireachtas; Ivana Bacik and Ruairi Quinn.

Remember the media coverage after Mick Lally’s death?

Many major newspapers paid more attention to the fact that he received a secular funeral than his acting achievements. They paid morbid attention to his atheism and quoted him ad nauseum, in saying that religion was nothing more than, “codology.” Th is writer can’t help but feel that while there is a strong trends towards

atheism among Ireland’s student population, maybe this attitude isn’t mirrored in Irish public life on the whole.

“Countmeout.ie,” is a website set up to provide people who were rattled by the allegations of child abuse in the church with an avenue for them to leave or, “defect,” as the website called it, from the church.

It set up a three step programme for defection which involved sending a letter to the defectors parish and asking for the person to be removed from the records of the church. As of the 12th of October 2010, after a change in canon law that disallows defection from the church,

the website has become an information source for those interested in defecting. According to our survey, 27.1% of Trinity students have actively left an organized religion. Th is figure marginally trumps the 26.9% of students who say that they are practicing members of an organized religion and the roughly 23% who are still members of a religion but choose not to practice. The site’s popularity and these figures defi nitely give credence to the notion that there is a growing current of disbelief and doubt in religion in Irish social life.

Tuesday, January 25th 2011 | The University Times

8

TIMESFEATURES

Dublin’s buskers speak

Words: Gavin McDermott Photos: Ana Lezcano

Buskers, fire jugglers, puppeteers, artists, dancers, sandy dog guy and even the scary ‘statue people’ all have something cultural to bring to the streets of Dublin City. People love the curiosity that grips them every time they set foot on those cobblestones. They may see a familiar face singing or new act performing something altogether different.

It offers a five minute escape from the clutches of everyday banal activities such as cramming in the library. It is always an experience.

I have been trained to do stupid things and not fail at them. It would be wise of you to stay away from me because I’m crazy.” This wild proclamation does not relieve but merely excites the audience on Grafton Street. Bearing a striking resemblance to Ming the Merciless, Brian entertains passers by with a range of fire juggling acts and stunts on a 7ft tall unicycle. Performance is Brian’s life; it is both his passion and his job. He tries to put on four shows a day around the city however the cold weather means there is less people about. He astounded his audience with his trickery of flaming clubs and provided a few laughs as well.

At one stage Brian chased Grafton Street pedestrians on his unicycle with a knife.

“I did my first street show about four years ago, but I’ve only been doing it on a regular basis for a year and a half.” He has also been to Europe with his show and although he did not make much money, it was still a great experience for him.

The Dubliner feels there is a severe lack of circus arts in

Ireland but explained about a new movement called Dublin Circus Arts. “Its goals are to develop circus arts in Dublin. In France a village of 90,000 or so will have a circus school with full time performers whereas in Dublin, which has a population of a million, you’ve got nothing.”

Contrary to the general perception that permission is needed to perform on Dublin’s streets, Brian claims that there is no busking licence. “That’s a myth, but Gardaí will push you on if they think you’re being too dangerous. Security Guards will move you on if your crowds are blocking shop doors and the flower ladies don’t like it much either.”

“Everyone’s got a story to tell,” sings an energetic busker as he thrashes away on his trusty Fender Stratocaster. Paul, unlike Brian, does not find solace in pyromania but more in the way of the guitar as he gives a convincing rendition of ‘Seven Nation Army. “This is my first time doing this in a long time, but I want to start doing it regularly,” the native Dubliner explains.

Paul is working at the moment but he reveals that the money earned from busking can actually be quite decent. “In the most extreme case I made, on a summer’s day in Grafton Street, €70 in two hours. But the average would be more like fifteen euro an hour!”

Further down the cobbles of Grafton there is the majestic sound of Mutefish; a five piece ensemble with musicians from Dublin, Lithuania, Poland and the Ukraine. The fusion of styles like punk and reggae

with Irish traditional music is enough to turn any head.

Dáithí, Mutefish’s flautist/ whistle player, stands by his belief that busking is the best experience for any growing band. In fact, the whole band first met whilst busking! They now plan to perform in some European countries this summer.

It is mainly tourists that buy the band’s record.

However, one curse of the wintery weather at the moment is that the strings on certain instruments contract and so become brittle and easy to break. The time spent changing strings can cause a crowd to dissipate.

Busking has been really important for securing “bigger” gigs in the likes of The Button Factory for the band. He also remarks that, “Temple Bar busking is messier but more fun than Grafton Street, that’s where you get all the mad people coming up to youit’s more chillaxed here!”

The band prefers busking in Galway over Dublin. The Galway Arts Festival provides an influx of hippies, couples and families who enjoy their music. Dáithí believes it is the best place and time to busk in Ireland all year round.

Street performance is quieter this winter. However, it will liven up in the next few months when heavy crowds will once again be swarming around the cultural phenomenon that is Dublin’s busking and street performing. The shared characteristic between all these performers is the honesty they take to the streets with them. It might be for love, it might be for money but it will always be about the show.

From the Hamilton to the Nile A recent Trinity engineering graduate loath to jump on the ‘voluntourism’ bandwagon, Aoife Wilson is now orchestrating her own sustainable development project in rural Uganda

I travelled to Uganda last September to begin a nine month project through the Foundation for Sustainable Development. On arrival I was partnered up with a local organisation called the Phoebe Educational Fund for AIDS Orphans and Vulnerable Children, but most of their work these days involves the grandmothers who are looking after the orphans.

My goal as an FSD volunteer was to come up with a sustainable project which would respond to the needs of the community, in my case a group of grandmothers who are all individually raising AIDs orphans.

Fuel efficient stoves looked like something which could make the lives of the often overworked grannies just a little easier and the idea that they could build their own using local, affordable materials really appealed to me.

When they themselves suggested they could make a small business out of it, once they had the stove building knowledge, I was pretty excited.

At the moment, we’re learning how to make baskets for, “hay-boxes;” fireless cooking devices which can also be used to store food, keeping it hot. The grandmothers absolutely adore the hay-boxes and there are a group of 15 of them who are keen to take it on as a small business.

This group of fifteen have

all been testing the boxes at home and had fantastic testimonies describing how they were able to cook food on the fire for breakfast, go to the fields and then when their grandchildren came in, the food would still piping hot. One lady made dinner and then carried it in the basket to her sick mother in hospital. They all took great joy in demonstrating the devices to their disbelieving neighbours. The excitement is starting to spread and they have already come up with different solutions as to how we can make them more marketable, durable and adaptable.

I live on a farm in rural Uganda. The Nile is a 10 minute stroll from my house. I bathe outside with a bucket every night and I wash my clothes by hand.

We cook chapatti, matoke, beans, rice, ground-nut sauce and vegetables. There are 15 other people living with my family but the number seems to change daily.

Half my family are Muslim and half are Christian; they are all incredible. I have learned the basics of Luganda, the major language here. I know all the neighbours and they know me (last month the kids at the bottom of the road finally made the switch from “bye Mzungu!” to “bye friend!”).

I meet extraordinary people every day.

Flashback to last April; slouched in the 24 hour

computer room. My enthusiasm for soil diagrams was beginning to wane. I needed some new motivation for learning. Somewhere in an email from Engineers Ireland I came across a reference to the ‘Foundation for Sustainable Development.’

I was looking for some, “meaningful,” work. I’d seen the Careers Service. I had been to talks by Comhlamh,

by Engineers Ireland and by SUAS. I had sat in the front row at lectures on vague, ”development.” Every volunteering opportunity I encountered seemed to fit into one of the following two categories: short-term, unskilled, “volun-tourism,” or long-term, specialised work for people with a minimum of four years experience. I wasn’t interested in a quick

fix, local job-robbing contribution to the dependency culture.

On the plus side, I had been left enough money in my Uncle’s will to volunteer with FSD for 9 months but for anyone with a normal post degree bank balance, it could have been a bit of a squeeze. I’ve since discovered there are in fact grants available for those wishing

to get involved in this programme and many others just fund-raise amongst friends, relatives and local businesses.

Of course the Foundation for Sustainable Development is not the only organisation that allows people to do the kind of work I’m doing, it just happens to be the most suitable one I came across. They hook

you up with a relevant organisation and supervisor and provide a weeks intensive training on everything from language and culture shock to asset mapping and grant writing. I learned a huge amount about sustainability and the dangers of aid in that week alone but I’ve since found that ‘Rural Development; Putting the First Last’ by Robert Chambers covers a lot of it. It’s also very comforting to know that their offices are always close by.

During my stay I was required to spend the first while getting to know my community and figure out what it is was that they really needed. Then I worked with them and my host organisation to develop a project proposal, a budget and a timeline. One intern here has worked with her community to build a massive fishing pond so her community can begin to build a fishing

Photos by Aoife Wilson

culture and mode of commerce. Another, is building and stocking a children’s library. Another intern set up a skills training cooperative for local businesses and another is giving computer literacy classes and establishing an internet forum dedicate to HIV awareness.

The other FSD volunteers came from different backgrounds and with different skills. Most of us had just graduated and only one of us had a full time job before coming out here, but that didn’t stop anyone from creating successful projects.

Far more important than specific skills is an ability to be self motivated, flexible and open minded, creative, and (quite importantly in Africa) an ability to relax. You just have to keep the ideas appropriate and make sure the community are fully involved. If there is one thing I’ve learned here its that hand outs often do more harm than good.

I’m using my degree in ways I never could have foreseen. I’m also using every other resource I can dig up. I’ve had times where I wanted to grab my passport and make a break for it but most of the time, I think I’m the luckiest person on earth At this stage there are only three out of the six FSD volunteers who came over left. One girl has already gotten herself a job with the Global Forum for Girl’s Education in New York. However, not everyone plans to go on to do development work.

Whatever we all end up doing though I’am positive that this experience will change the rest of our lives in extraordinary ways. While you may not be a fountain of experience when you graduate, you are young. You’re not yet tied to a job or family. You should be excited enough about to life to be able to make a difference.

Read more at aoifewilson. wordpress.com

9

The University Times | Tuesday, January 25th 2011

TIMESOPINION

Desolation Row and the fate of Fianna Fáil Cathal Wogan Staff Writer ‘… And in comes Romeo, he’s moaning “You belong to me I believe,” And someone turns and says to him “My friend you’d better leave,” And the only sound that’s left After the ambulances go Is Cinderella sweeping up On Desolation Row.’ - Bob Dylan, Desolation Row

THE ‘CUTE-WHORE’ is a curious phenomenon indigenous to Catholic Europe.

While Iberian and Eastern European cute-whores have, for the most part, fallen from influential political positions, three nations stand at a precipice. One of these nations, Russia (admittedly not of the traditional Catholicism of the other areas mentioned but of similar traditions socioreligiously), is represented by a rather special kind of cute-whore political system, where state control allows a certain comfort of self-preservation with regards to media scrutiny and oppositional potency.

In stark contrast to the Russian system, two nations now stand at a wonderful precipice where the fate of an old guard, a standard of cute-whore politicians, lies in the hands of the democratic collective. The Italian voting majority have, for a multitude of reasons best left for another day, stuck by Silvio Berlusconi but it now looks to

be only a matter of time before the media magnate crumbles under the weight of his own indiscretions. The cute-whores of Irish politics have but six weeks.

The Irish cute-whore has, up to this point, been a consistently baffling creature. Invariably a male of middle age or older, the cute-whore has served his political apprenticeship in the service of a master-whore, or spin pimp, the Haughey-Ahern axis perhaps the most remarkable in our nation’s short recent history. The cute-whore looks after his constituents or is, at least, a fine talker in his sporadic visits to his local pub and/or brings extra sandwiches to sporting venues, ensuring that his seat in the Dáil or on the local council is never under threat. He exists within constant speculation of crooked dealings, but can never be pinned down due to his fluency in cute-whore-speak and party spin, knowing that he has the backing of regular voters.

With elections now set for March 11th, it stands to reason that the Irish voters might deem this the appropriate moment to exact revenge for what many have seen as the failings of Fianna Fáil’s tenure as the

dominant party. That revenge is, of course, the right of the electorate. So what is the fate of Fianna Fáil’s after golden generations of cute whores? And what will be left after that?

The departures of prominent parliamentary members over the past number of years, most notably Bertie Ahern and his group of lads who always looked after the other lads (‘those swindling bankers and developers,’ according to Joe Bloggs) mean that established cute-whores are

the most optimistic of speculators on the party’s future are to have their hopes realised. Perhaps the best that can be expected in terms of a numerical result for Brian Cowen’s successor, assuming he will not be the next Leader of the Opposition, is a minority where they blood new safe seats having held as many of those that have previously been safe as possible. Quiet targets for Fianna Fáil will include those identified as similarly aligned independents, including Michael

How can a party that has no intellectually formative lines of action or rhetoric than what they think will get them elected produce anything other than aspiring cute-whores with spinning tongues? few and far between for Brian Cowen’s charges. Campaigns that previously never really had to be run, for example Bertie Ahern’s Fianna Fáil seat and Jackie Healy-Rae’s supposedly independent seat, now need to be leapt upon zealously if

Healy-Rae in the Kerry South constituency who is to contest the upcoming elections in place of his retiring father.

And what of our new government? It will most likely be led

by Enda Kenny, a man who has spent so many years as

Leader of what was deemed an unelectable opposition by the electorate, that his reign will begin like a bizarre pipe dream. Unfortunately, having spent so long in an impotent position, much of Fianna Fáil’s younger guns have matured trying to be Fine Gael’s new Fianna Fáil. With both groups borne from history rather than any credibly consistent ideological positions, relatively young TDs like Leo Varadkar, who will most likely hold a position in a new cabinet, will represent what lies as the failure of any ideologically vacant party; more cute-whores. One wonders, how can a party that has no intellectually formative lines of action or rhetoric than what they think will get them elected or keep them elected, produce anything other than aspiring cute-whores with spinning tongues?

Political inception! Michael Healy-Rae, effectively Fianna Fáil’s last cute-whore for the time-being, will walk into the Dáil and say, ‘this belongs to me,’ only for Leo Varadkar to respond, ‘my friend, its not to be.’ And the only sound that will be left, when Fianna Fáil’s staples have left, is Enda Kenny sweeping up, on Desolation Row.

Featured Photo - AP Vyas: Students raise RAG Week funds with an icy dip in the Liffey

The Audacity of Harmon

One last chance for the Vatican to come clean Amid less turbulent political circumstances, the Would You Believe documentary that was shown on RTÉ1 on Monday, 17th January last would have received far more attention than it did. It was an excellent piece of investigative journalism.

The programme revealed a previously undisclosed letter that was written to Ireland’s Catholic bishops in January 1997 by the then papal nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Luciano Storero.

In the letter, Archbishop Storero, who is now deceased, expressed the ‘serious reservations’ of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy about the Irish church’s 1996 Child Sex Abuse framework document. In particular, the Archbishop wrote that ‘mandatory reporting’ to civil authorities of clerical sex abuse cases ‘gives rise to serious reservations of both a moral and canonical nature’.

While many have previously suspected that the Holy See encouraged bishops not to report abuse cases to the police, this is the fi rst time that a document expressing such a view has come to light publically.

While Dr. Storero’s letter does not excuse the Irish bishop’s from their failure to report crimes to the Gardaí, it does shed light on the internal politics of the situation and the confl ict that the bishops faced. On the one hand, the bishops had a duty to report a crime in the same way as any sensible person with any sort of conscience would do. However, at the same time they were receiving confl icting instructions from their superiors in Rome, who they were sworn to obey.

The letter also portrays a very different view of the role of the Holy See in dealing with the abuse crisis from that which Pope Benedict wrote about in his Pastoral Letter to Ireland’s Catholics last year. In his letter, the Pope reprimanded the Irish bishops for ‘grave errors of judgement’ and ‘failures of leadership’. The Pope said that the bishops had ‘failed, at times grievously, to apply the long-established norms of canon law to the crime of child abuse’. In other words, the cover up occurred because the procedures of church law had not been followed.

Of course, we now know that the situation was not as clear as Benedict implied and that, at best, the Irish bishops were receiving contradictory messages from Rome on how to respond. At worst, they were encouraged by Rome to cover up abuse. Given that the letter revealed by RTÉ was leaked by an unnamed Irish bishop, it appears that the bishops here were unimpressed with the manner in which the Pope laid the blame squarely at their door in his letter.

The Irish State can not ignore the revelation of this letter, particularly since it follows from the refusal of the Apostolic Nunciature to cooperate with releasing fi les to the Murphy Commission investigating abuse in the Dublin Archdiocese.

Following the publication of the Murphy report, the Papal Nuncio was summoned to meet then Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin. The meeting was a diplomatic ticking off but it is unclear what practical effect it had.

On this occasion, the new minister - who also happens to be the Taoiseach -should summon the nuncio to instruct him to hand over any fi les relating to abuse that may be in his possession or in the possession of the Holy See. If the nuncio or his Vatican superiors refuse to cooperate, the nuncio should be regarded as the representative of a hostile foreign government perverting the course of justice in Ireland.

Of course, it need not come to this. Even at this belated point, there is still an opportunity for the Holy See to do what it has shown itself to be entirely unwilling to do at every point so far: voluntarily cooperate and provide full transparency and accountability. Rome would do well to remember the words of the Gospel it itself preaches: “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; nor hid, that shall not be known.” (Luke 12:2)

Hunt Report doesn’t answer the hard questions Rachel Barry SU Education Officer Candidate After years of waiting, stakeholders in third level education awaited the publication of the government’s National Strategy for Education in 2030 - that’s the Hunt Report to you and me - with bated breath. A strategy years in the making, it was envisaged that the publication of the report would finally inject an element of certainty into a mix of stale policy and covert dealings. However, with so many interested parties to take into account, the Hunt Report fell into an age old trap – in trying to appease everyone, it failed to please anyone.

That isn’t to say that the report is an unmitigated disaster or, as was proposed

by UCCSU in a rather bizarre statement, will be ‘consigned to the dustbin of

immateriality’. The report is relevant, quite simply because it has to be relevant.

We cannot afford to let our national institutions to fall into disrepair due to high demand and poor funding.

The aim of the Report, of course, is to provide us with solutions. Unfortunately, we are merely left with questions.

The first part of the report focuses on the role of education in society and how this purpose can be fulfi lled. Indeed, there are some decent propositions put forward in this section. Students should be encouraged at the apparent desire to continue investing in research and development, and it makes sound economic sense to reap the rewards of this investment by harnessing the

Having marched the streets of the capital in November, students will find the funding chapter of the report of particular interest.

Yet, astonishingly, there appears to be no real plan set in place on this issue – the Strategy Report is itself lacking in strategy.

economic potential of intellectual property. Perhaps the best suggestion from the point of view of students is an emphasis on increased participation in evaluating the education system. The importance of the student voice on issues such as quality of teaching is valued in the report, and should the recommendations of compulsory evaluation and, if necessary, up-skilling be implemented they may go some way to combating the problem of poor lecture delivery.

Unfortunately, the rest of the report appears to be a myriad of contradiction and ambiguity. Having marched the streets of the capital in November, students will find the funding chapter of the report of particular interest. Yet, astonishingly, there appears to be no real plan set in place on this issue – the Strategy Report is itself

lacking in strategy.

It comes as little surprise to see that the Report favours equitable contributions from students to higher education in the current economic climate, but the Committee appear confused as to their reasoning behind this. On the one hand, they stress the importance of universities for the community and recommend that third level institutions take a more active role in interacting with those outside their walls. Yet on the other, they justify vast increases in student contribution (which could rise to €25,000) by emphasising the private benefits a student receives. This would be somewhat more convincing if the Committee didn’t refer to the USA as a comparator. Yes, American students pay more and have better facilities than Irish students. However, they are also head hunted

by companies in their final year of college, whereas their Irish counterparts scrap amongst themselves for jobs or leave the country due to a complete lack of graduate employment strategy. If these are the private benefits referred to in the Report, they don’t seem too attractive.

Of course, we have to be pragmatic - funding has to come from somewhere. The Hunt Report suggests a student loan scheme, but refrains from even discussing how such a scheme might operate. Who will give these loans and how will the capital be raised? Will we rely on our failing banks to prop up higher education or will a new, independent body be established? At 134 pages long, the Report is no bedtime read but a failure to even discuss such crucial issues is a huge failing for a document that claims so

much. Students from rural backgrounds will also be adversely affected, as plans to take into account assets as well as income when assessing the amount a student should contribute are set to hugely disadvantage students from the farming community.

Ultimately, the Report has some decent proposals, but the recommendation that another expert group be set up to decide on funding strategy leaves stakeholders feeling rather cheated, especially after all the time and expense that has gone into generating this ‘strategy’.

Tuesday, January 11th 2011 | The University Times

10

TIMESOPINION

LETTERS to the Editor

Letters should be posted to “The Editor, The University Times, House 6, Trinity College” or sent by email to letters@universitytimes.ie We cannot guarantee that all letters will be published.

Letters may be edited for length and/or style.

Catering Service not up to scratch Dear Editor, I am writing today to convey my dismay at the Trinity College catering service.

After a trip to NUI Galway I have to say that the Trinity catering service is nothing short of dismal and appalling and I think that the students of Trinity deserve better than the “attempt” at catering that the current staff are making.

More often than not the staff in the Buttery and other catering premises have absoloutely no interest in customer service and often hold their own conversations between themselves which is nothing short of unmannerly. The sandwich bar in the Buttery usually has not got favourites like chicken and other basic sandwich fillings and the display often looks like it was just lorried in and dumped in the display fridge. As a student currently working in customer service I am often appalled at the attitudes of the staff.

Whilst in NUI Galway I had the pleasure of dining in their canteen, An Bialann, where there is a fresh sandwich bar, noodle bar, salad bar, Subway, Starbucks and various other retail outlets. Also students get the opportunity to collect points on the purchases on their student cards which is also a great way to ensure value for money for students.

I do believe that with a better effort the catering service in Trinity could be alot better and I think I share the view of my fellow students.

Yours, Ciaran Nolan JF BESS

Correction In the issue dated December 14th, an article entitled ‘FF “spin doctor” appointed to College Board’ incorrectly implied that external appointments to Board are compensated. Th is is not the case.

Attacking student nurses helps no-one Steph Fleming SU Welfare Officer It’s Christmas Eve and I’ve kicked back in my parents’ house in front of a roaring fire surrounded by Christmas cheer. I decide to check my e-mail to see what work I’ll have when I get back into the office. There are two emails, one is a forwarded message from the INMO and the other is from another nursing student. So I glance through both e-mails and well if it wasn’t Santa telling every nursing student in the country that they’d been bad little children and were getting fewer presents this year. But Santa is forward thinking these days, he includes projections in his news – in 2012 the nurses will get fewer presents again, in 2013 fewer still, in 2014 they’ll get half the presents they got last year and in 2015 they’ll get none. One can only assume that in 2016 they’ll get coal.

What I’m talking about is the decision by An Bord Altranais to phase out wages (formerly 80% of a nurse’s minimum salary) for nursing students completing their nine-month internship in fourth year. Ah, but it’s a recession you say, we can’t pay unqualified people! What other student gets paid in their final year?

What makes nurses so special? Well, I’ll tell you.

For some reason the demographics of nursing students are different from other courses – there is a higher portion of mature students, of foreign nationals, of students in receipt of the maintenance grant and of student parents than in most other level 8 courses. There is also the small matter of the amount of work they do.

Nursing students work in hospitals from their very first year. In those early

days they are (like all young health science students) little more than note takers or messengers or someone to tell Mr. Smith to please put his pants back on. By second year they take an active role in patient care, they help the other professions by monitoring the patients; Did he sleep? Is she in pain? Has he had a wee? Did Mr. Murphy do his breathing exercises today? By third year they have a very real responsibility for their patients. They work 13 hour shifts, nights, weekends and all manner of holidays. They do this while writing literature reviews, submitting essays, studying for exams and often working part time jobs.

By fourth year these students have worked 2,870 hours in public hospitals without pay and are all but qualified. During their internship they are charged with the care of a ward containing around eight patients. That is eight human lives – eight sick people, eight scared people, eight

occasionally angry, often disruptive, occasionally dying and in need of comfort people.

For 36 weeks they do the job that so few others will.

They do things so essential to your basic quality of life that it can’t be discussed at the dinner table. They take all the abuse a patient and their family can hurl, they take all the arrogance of every surgeon and doctor they can find, they answer all the questions any medicine, physiotherapy and 1st-3rd year nursing student can throw at them. And what’s more is they are essential to the running of HSE hospitals.

Ask anyone who has worked or been treated in a public hospital in July and they will tell you it is chaotic. The only students working in these hospitals are fourth year nursing students – the med students are gone, the physio students are gone, the OTs are gone, the radiographers are gone, the nurses are the only ones

who remain dutifully walking the halls - halls that are stalked by newly qualified, newly rotated interns who couldn’t find their arse with two hands and a map (seriously, these guys don’t where the canteen is let alone their patient’s chart).

As a health professional I strongly recommend that you don’t get sick in Ireland in July unless you have good health insurance.

Your doctors will be inexperienced and terrified and your nurses will be underpaid, overworked and rightly pissed off.

So why are nurses such a soft target? The answer is they’re not. When you push them, they push back and I’d hate to be Mary Harney when she

Western students face strong competition Aidan Bond-James A scary statistic for you: once every 90 minutes an Indian student attempts to commit suicide. What drives a person so the brink of taking their own life? Mental illness, family problems, even a bad break-up…all reasons in the context of suicide, but imagine throwing yourself off a 3rd floor dorm room balcony as a result of failing an exam? What drives students to perform these drastic measures?

In my opinion it has something to do with the “programmed lives” that these students live. Children are born to fulfi l the legacies of their parents and many Asian parents push their children to overachieve.

They are not happy with a report card that says 94%...they want one that says 99%, they are do not want their kids to learn twinkle-twinkle little

star on the violin, they want them to perform Mendelssohn’s violin concerto in E minor on stage before they reach the age of 9. As these children are so young and polite, they dare not disagree to work as hard as they solemnly can.

By the time they reach adolescences they only know one style of living, so they carry on doing the same, into university. But this is not university as you and I know it, it’s a whole different ball game. Take India for an example, the majority of college entrants study Engineering, Medicine, Nursing or Commerce.

There is no point in listing all the differences between college here and college there, it is far easier to simply say that Indian colleges resemble Irish secondary schools. Many universities

world. No Western country is ahead of the USA in number of homicides per year, 5 per 100,000 by the latest figures. Canada, by comparison, is 1.81 and Ireland is 1.12. There may well be other factors at play in America but the consensus amongst criminologists is that the availability of guns is central. Removal of guns from the equation, as Senator Al Franken pointed out before he entered public life, is tantamount to calling Americans “homicidal by nature”.

The role mental illness plays in these incidents is both central and, in a way, irrelevant. No scientific consensus exists that Americans are in any way more disposed to mental health issues than the rest of the world. The American Psychological Association fits them broadly into the mix of nature and nurture reasons for conditions of dysfunction, with variations within normal ranges.

But then there are also the political dimensions of these killing sprees and the increasing amount of political violence in the US. The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence has started an “Insurrectionist Timeline” on its website. It details hundreds of threats of violence or acts of violence

against political figures and government officials since 2008. When I think about this I cast back in my mind to a conversation

insist on students wearing uniforms and impose strict curfews as to when students can freely roam the campus.

There are a number of large famous Indian colleges and Universities that cater for all degrees, and every year they roll out hundred’s of thousand’s of young graduates, but they also lose thousands of students to suicide every year.

In short, they are doing some things extremely well, but also doing other things extremely wrong. Where does it all go wrong? It could have something to do with the fact that the students are pressured, not only by the academics but also their parents into studying long hours and often, right through the night.

But what do they do it for?

Where do they get this drive to succeed from? And why don’t Irish students have it?

They do it for their

parents, and themselves to a certain extent. The students are loyal and respectful to their parents, who pay for their children’s educations and nurture their semi-developed minds until they eventually blossom into successful workers and parents.

Asian students also do it for themselves, as they are beginning to religiously watch North-American television programmes and want everything that they see in them. The only difference between them, and us is that we know from experience that what happens on those shows is scripted and vastly unrealistic and unachievable.

For Indian young people in particular, it is fair to say that a portion of their personal drive to succeed could be attributed to the fact that they know that when their parents go to arrange a

marriage for them, their educational credentials will be used as very valuable bargaining chips. Th is reverts back to the aforementioned “Programmed Lives” that these students live.

My next question to you is whether or not the students of Ireland and the Western world are aware that thousands of miles away, there are millions of students working hundreds of times harder then them? It many not seem like a big deal, but put it in context… they are all gunning for the same jobs as us.

How can Western students compare with people who consider 75% a mediocre score in a statistics or anatomy exam, as they all want 98%. Sure you could argue that there are some students out there in the globalised, westernised world that achieve these exam scores, but the question is

how many? The answer…not a lot.

But the ultimate question we must ask is…is this an education? I mean, sure these students are being academically educated, but what about a cultural education? What is the point in rote learning chunks of information off by heart just so you can throw them back into exams, I know we all did it for our Leaving Certificates, but we were also told that once we made it to college that would all change.

So this brings me to the central issue. Do our future employers care that we can speak four different languages or if we played on the fi rst rugby team in college, or do they just want to see that we got honours degrees and that we can work hard, because if it’s the second option? I fear for western students and would advise them to brace themselves.

rights attorney in Massachusetts had been describing to me the political cli-

mate in the United States since I last experienced it during the 2008 campaign.

She, many years my elder, pointed to a level of “desperation” and “anger” in the country that hadn’t existed since the Civil Rights days.

This is something that she should know a deal about, her father had helped organise Martin Luther King’s March on Washington.

That desperation and anger seems to come across particularly in white, working-class America.

Obama committed a political faux pas when he put his finger on it during his campaign, lucidly saying that people “cling to guns and religion” as a response. The demise of that class, both in economic terms – where their industrial heartland is now known as the “rust belt” – and in terms of relative importance in society, is often cited as a reason. The

people in that community feel disenfranchised and are suffering from higher rates of unemployment and a lower quality of life.

Both sides of the political spectrum appeal to the growing ranks of the desperate in America and they do it as they did in the 1960s, by pandering to their desperation with emotions from either ends of the spectrum.

The Democrats spent 2008 painting a utopian picture of hopefulness and a postracial, post-class society where everyone would just get along. Since Obama’s election the GOP have intensified an angry campaign, motivated by fear.

This fear comes from many places; fear of immigrants, fears of a black President, fears about terrorism, fears about their jobs. Both sides, cynically, play upon desperation for political gain; one does it by feeding desperate people false hope, another riles them up by playing upon their fears.

There is nothing inherently violent about being rightwing. But when your way of making people believe in smaller government is to make them fear the government they have, blame it for all of their ills and then you tell them to cling to their guns, your strategy creates a toxic climate. This strategy, though, will continue to have more of an appeal than a hope unrealised, which only adds to frustration and bitterness. Obama’s appeal to reconciliation and an end

to blame was the right message to give in response to this, but his actions as President have done little to lower the levels of desperation.

The toxic climate that exists now feeds from that well of desperation and leaves America more polarised than ever. As Paul Krugman put it in the New York Times, “One side of American politics considers the modern welfare state… morally superior. The other side believes that people have a right to keep what they earn, and that taxing them to support others, no matter how needy, amounts to theft.

There’s no middle ground between these views.”

I’d like to end this article with a solution. But I don’t have one. America is going to continue to fall victim to the murderous rampage of mad men, the political climate is going to remain toxic (and sinister undertones seem only to have increased) and the desperation isn’t going anywhere.

The responsibility required to find solutions simply does not exist. Some consolation can be found in the recovery of Representative Gabrielle Giffords and twelve others injured in the shooting.

Judge John Roll, Gabe Zimmerman, Christina Taylor Green, Dorwan Stoddard, Phyllis Schneck and Dorothy Morris were not as fortunate.

Climate of violence is here to stay Eye on America

Rónán Burtenshaw

I

t is very difficult to know how to strike the right tone when responding to an event like January 8th’s tragedy in Arizona. Anger at the perpetrator and those who facilitated his act. Remorse for the dead, the injured and the grieving. A conciliatory tone to respond to the pointed political rhetoric that jarred against the tragic images we saw. And a fear, that all of those responses are somehow insufficient and lacking but that silence is irresponsible when something like this could happen again.

But, after passing through all of those responses, those who are genuine will stop at truth. In Arizona as in life, “the truth is rarely pure and never simple” and identifying it poses more questions than answers.

Jared Loughner clearly has mental health issues. In the immediate aftermath of the shootings I trawled through his YouTube videos to try to get a picture of the young man the police had just named as the key suspect. They were deeply confused and incoherent.

Anti-government sentiment was mixed with fears about mind-control and grammar.

It has since been generally accepted that this was the act of a mad man. But that does not mean that it was

not also a politically-motivated assassination.

If a white man had opened fire in a meeting of AfricanAmericans after railing at great length on the internet about his distaste for their race we would not hesitate to call this a racist act.

If he also happened to dislike Mexicans, or to believe in UFOs or to be a Communist it would not change the clear connection between the racist sentiment and that act. Loughner opened fire on a room full of politicians, elected representatives and public servants after ranting about the government. The same standard should apply.

The killing spree of a mad man is not a rare event in the United States. Nor is it unusual that this is political, directed at specific Churches or schools of a specific creed or government officials. Cults with political aims that end in mass bloodshed are also not uncommon. It is undeniably the case that this occurs more often in the US than anywhere else in the world.

Why is this?

The ability to kill large numbers of people with a gun is certainly a factor. Even if crime rates have fluctuated in the US in recent years, levels of gun violence and homicides are unusually high for the Western

finds that out. Actually, I’d hate to be Mary Harney ever and I’d bet my degree that there’s not a nursing student out there who disagrees with me on that.

that I had had this summer. A friend who is a civil

Rónán Burtenshaw worked on Barack Obama’s 2008 Presidential campaign.

11

The University Times | Tuesday, January 25th 2011

TIMESEDITORIAL

The University Times O

SOUTH DUBLIN SOCIOPATHY

ur front page story concerns the antics of a group of well-to-do first year students of this college and others who by all accounts spent the week of 8th-15th January on a trail of destruction, aggression and arrogance.

The behaviour of these students has been widely condemned after the fact, but in reality, a culture exists - predominantly among those most favoured by the vagaries of the Celtic Tiger - in which “trashing” other people’s property, spending obnoxiously and physically abusing those less able to defend themselves are all marks of the alpha male.

Student trips from this college frequently devolve into a mad dash to see how quickly the accommodation deposit can be lost.

By what strange quirk of the herd mentality do students, removed from their normal surroundings, often seem so hell-bent on being the worst people they can be?

It is, of course, all too easy to make a target of the well-off when they behave badly, after all, what excuse have they to impinge on the rights of others? In reality, the wealthy are no more disposed to bad behaviour than anyone else.

However, the obnoxious behaviour of the group of students who have received

unwanted national media attention for their behaviour is symptomatic of a generation and class which have never wanted.

The email received by the editor of this paper from the group underscores their attitude.

Threats of heavy-handed legal action, thought to be made behind the cloak of anonymity (when in fact one of the senders accidentally included his own name) indicate an inability to even consider taking responsibility for the authors’ own actions. Needless to say, they also raised a few laughs in the newsroom.

People learn how to behave much like Pavlov’s Dog. Our response to a stimulus is determined by previous outcomes in similar situations. When rewards follow bad behaviour as well as good, the system breaks down.

However, perhaps every socio-economic group has its villains, and we are just more affected by the bad behaviour of the rich.

As the keeper of an elephant preserve notes in The Simpsons, on being asked why one of the elephants is headbutting another: “Some of them act badly because they’ve had a hard life, or have been mistreated; but, like people, some of them are just jerks.”

S

STUDENT POLITICS: A VENAL AFFAIR

tudent politics is a strange beast. The terms are short, the stakes are relatively low and it’s often quite hard to get people enthused about it.

Candidates are sometimes (often) seen as careerist CV-padders who are simply using it as a platform from which to launch their political career.

Cónán O’Broin’s resignation from the office of Deputy President of USI to work on the general election campaign of Councillor Robert Dowds has, for some, proven that much of the above is correct. No one doubts that Mr O’Broin has done a good job in his time with USI. Nor would many people accuse him of being a cynical careerist.

Indeed, Mr O’Broin is a politician who wears his heart on his sleeve and has worked tirelessly and honestly for the student cause since he was elected President of TCDSU. Credited with fighting back the fees tide, Mr O’Broin changed the way the SU operated, transforming it into

a lobbying group with significant sway over certain politicians. His tenacity and perseverance, as well as his considerable charm, helped him educate politicians who had previously been ignorant of the financial pressures facing so many students.

Nonetheless, his departure is indicative of a general trend in student politics. Mr O’Broin leaves to work on the national stage as he’s always wanted to.

The truth of the matter is that he left because he was offered a more consequential job than the one he had. Consequential because, if Councillor Dowds is elected, O’Broin might find himself working as a parliamentary aide. From there he would surely cement his credentials as a political operative and, no doubt, contemplate a run for office of his own. There is nothing inherently wrong with any of this. However, it does devalue the job he held and the institution he served. If working on

the campaign of a Councillor is more important to Mr O’Broin than acting as Deputy President of the representative body for more than 250,000 students then how important, in the grand scheme of things, is student politics to him and his colleagues?

Mr O’Broin isn’t the only person in USI to be labelled a career politician. Indeed, his former colleague, USI President Gary Redmond, was featured in Phoenix magazine and painted as a “centre right” conformist who hadn’t rocked the boat during his tenure as UCDSU President.

While no one begrudges Mr O’Broin or Mr Redmond their ambition, their actions make it all to easy for the cynical student to view student politics as a shallow vanity pageant for those who aspire to make it to the grandest vanity pageant of all.

Yours is the generation to fix our broken State Martina Devlin When the Irish banking and economic collapse happened, we were all stunned at the turn of events. In reality it wasn’t new – it was just new to us.

But why, after everything went belly-up, didn’t anyone stomp down from Mount Sinai on Kildare Street to show errant bankers and developers the error of their ways – many of whom continue to live in denial about the consequences of his reckless, illegal and profoundly devastating behaviour?

Why haven’t we devised a new set of Commandments – number one among them “thou shalt not help to impoverish an entire nation” and number two “thou shalt not transfer all thy assets into thy wife’s name”?

Accountability seems to be missing from the Irish gene pool, that’s why.

Today, we are paying a high price for the lack of protection our government and our regulators afforded us.

Most people have lost out financially one way or the other – futures have been squandered. And more pain is roaring down the track in 2011. But the men once hailed as masters of the universe, while no longer masterful, remain virtually untouchable.

People are losing jobs, homes are at risk, businesses are folding, students are graduating and emigrating, young people are making plans to leave – not because they want to go but because they see no prospects in the scorched earth landscape that constitutes modern Ireland. Meanwhile, these men shelter behind the law, their gilded lifestyles protected.

No wonder many of us are disenchanted, fearful – downright furious.

But anger is not a policy, we are often told. Wrong. Anger has been a powerful tool for social change: we have seen it in civil rights movements, anti-war movements, the anti-slavery movement and the feminist movement.

Using anger constructively has changed the course of history.

The question is not a matter of whether anger is necessary or appropriate, but how it can be used to achieve

results. How can we harness anger?

Some favour mass demonstrations. Personally, I’m not one for storming the Dail.

That’s just smoke and mirrors. I’d prefer to lobby for weak laws to be re-drafted.

For example, laws that allow profligate bankers to retain generous pensions and bonuses; laws that allow high profile debtors to cherrypick in which jurisdiction to declare bankruptcy; laws that allow banks to take a bailout from taxpayers, then impose unfair charges on its poorest customers. (I mean you, Bank of Ireland.)

Bankers have been slow to relinquish their perks, even as the taxpayer has rescued them to the tune of some €50bn. Oh, and by the way, I’ve left out an additional €40bn for NAMA. So that’s €90bn in total – otherwise known as three years worth of tax revenue, and don’t forget we have to pay interest on that.

It’s said the only lessons we remember are those which come with hard knocks.

Our masters of the universe haven’t taken real knocks.

Of course they have lost wealth. But they are not fretting about how to feed and clothe their children, and marital property law means their wives will keep a roof over their husbands’ heads.

We probably can’t expect shackles and show trials.

But I would like to be reassured that many of the senior executives still in situ in banks will never again rise above the level of feeding money into A.T.M.s.

And while I’m on the subject of moral hazard – insulation against the consequences of your decision-making – let’s consider the Government. Its members remain cloistered away from the distress that is palpable out here in the country. Just as US car chiefs got into trouble for flying their private jets to Washington to ask for handouts, our Cabinet ministers failed to understand the appalling signal sent out when they arrived in Farmleigh late last year in a fleet of chauffeured Mercedes to discuss how to take money off the people.

I’ll summarise their fiscal

policy, if you like. Maybe things aren’t that bad. Stop staying saying things are bad. It’s unpatriotic. By the way, how much have you got in your bank account?

Right. Send it all in to the Exchequer. Lickety-split.

And so to that prince among men, David Drumm, former chief executive of Anglo Irish Bank. On his watch, Anglo operated the Golden Circle, made secret loans to directors and published misleading year-end accounts. Afterwards, he hightailed it to the US, from which bolthole he started spouting about understanding the pain people were feeling back home. I believe the Americans have a saying that fits here: tell it to the marines.

Will Drumm ever be forced to answer for his actions at Anglo Irish Bank? Nobody would bet their house on it. Extradition, as Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan indicated, is contingent on the gardai building a case against him. We’ll have to wait and see – a condition to which we’ve been obliged to grow accustomed.

Drumm is not the only reason Ireland is facing a bill estimated at between €29bn and €34bn for dealing with his bank. But he helped to dig that black hole into which our taxes are disappearing – money which cannot now be used for education and health spending, among other downgraded priorities.

His behaviour serves even to make Sean FitzPatrick look dignified. Fitzpatrick, former chairman of Anglo, is experiencing the full brunt of public opprobrium by remaining in Ireland, where he voluntarily filed for bankruptcy. Though he is far from being a saint, he has not run away. Drumm, by comparison, has the brass neck to seek damages for mental distress against the bank.

Then there is Michael Fingleton and the grubby little piggy bank he created, Irish Nationwide. Fingleton was assiduous in fostering links with politicians. No wonder he was allowed to keep that €1m bonus. As he said himself, he knows where the bodies are buried.

The lack of action against rogue financiers and bankers who behaved inappropriately leaves me troubled for our democracy. An entire generation of politicians, bankers and developers has left it tainted. But not irretrievably, I hope. Hope can be a policy, just as constructive anger can be one.

If our democracy is to be retrieved, I believe the young generation of graduates coming through the system now are among those who can do it. Yes, I mean you.

You have energy, idealism and fresh perspectives to offer. As discussed earlier, the accountability gene seems to be missing from the older generation’s DNA. Perhaps you can be the generation

to restore it. Make accountability a priority.

Currently, our democracy is not served by the lack of connection between pay and performance. By businessmen relocating to other countries, leaving vast liabilities in their wake. By the lack of effort made to reclaim enormous pension pots, bonuses and severance packages from those who did the State too little service, or whose behaviour contributed to the economic collapse.

But we have other problems which will take more than money to fix. I believe Ireland is a broken republic. And not just because the IMF and the EU are running our country now. Ireland is no longer a functioning republic in the true sense: government of the people, by the people, for the people.

How can it be a true republic when all the risk is taken by the community and all the profit is taken by the individual?

How can it be a true republic when the buck stops nowhere?

How can it be a true republic when failure is rewarded?

How can it be a true republic when the Government cynically delayed those four byelections?

Citizens must accept some responsibility for the substandard republic we allowed to evolve, however.

We were wilfully blind. We had corruption blindness, double standards blindness,

Sean Fitzpatrick hasn’t fled the country, but his behaviour has helped to bankrupt it

injustice blindness, dishonesty blindness and tax evasion blindness.

Now, we need to reform our political system. The parish pump element to winning elections is a dangerous reduction. We should consider a list system to bring forward able people who would stand on a national basis rather than represent a constituency.

Not only might this introduce some talent into the Dail, it counteracts the relentless parochialism whereby constituents expect TDs to deliver goodie bags.

Other overdue reforms include eliminating nepotism by introducing a rule to ban relatives of sitting or former TDs – say, up to two generations back – from running in the same constituency. That should extinguish the undemocratic notion of dynastic entitlement.

To those of you considering a career in politics, I say this. Work in the real world first before standing. Some deputies have a blank about life outside politics and this is a disadvantage in any parliament. Whatever happened to building a string of accomplishments, then entering public service?

The principles underpinning Ireland – a liberal and inclusive democracy which aspires, virtually bankrupt or not, to protect its poor, its children, its sick and its elderly – remain sound. The problem is that our society is no longer living up to its job

description.

The republic has collapsed, and I don’t only mean economically. Enormous harm has been done to our economy and to our financial system, but a more serious, long lasting disaster has also happened.

I mean the damage to the morale and sense of selfworth of the Irish people.

We are now the laughing stock of the western world.

Partly, this is due to circumstances beyond our control – but some of it is our own fault, and we also change our behaviour. We must lose our blindness.

Who needed the Anglo Ten scandal to grasp that a golden circle operated in Ireland? Many suspected it.

But nobody cared, beyond the odd grumble, until we realised our own pockets would be picked to set the mess to rights.

Who needed a banking collapse to understand that the way land was re-zoned for housing was questionable?

Or that the intimate relationship between property developers and politicians was a recipe for profiteering?

Who needed a degree in economics to work out that a 100 per cent mortgage was risky, especially when the buyer loaded up on additional debt to furnish the property and to pay legal fees?

Let’s acknowledge some responsibility.

Were we lied to? Of course.

By bankers and by politicians, among others. But a banker’s job is to boost profits for his bank – a politician’s is to serve the electorate. I say this in as apolitical way as I can. We have not been well served.

So where do we stand now?

There has been a clean out in the banks, in the regulator’s office, in the Central Bank and, unfortunately, many ordinary people have been cleaned out of their jobs, as well. The developers have gone bust – although you wouldn’t necessarily know it to look at their lifestyles. Yet many of those who landed us in this mess are still in place.

Fianna Fail has held unbroken power for the past 13 years – years in which it persistently pumped the property bubble full of air and behaved as though sharp implements were never

discovered.

It could have guided us towards a soft landing. Instead, the party failed to take tough decisions. It kept life sweet for its builder buddies long after property development should have been discouraged. Let’s not forget the Galway Tent has only recently been dismantled.

Both our current Taoiseach and his predecessor were finance ministers – and they guided us straight towards those rocks. Now the Government is peddling the following deal: “You’ll feel the squeeze for a year or two, but a solution will follow.

Trust us.”

Frankly, I don’t. This Government promised a cheap banking bailout – instead it delivered the most expensive solution in history. This government said the public finance gap to be bridged was €7.5bn – instead it now admits the bill will be twice that. We are left with a bunch of politicians wandering round in a daze because they can’t borrow any money. Why? Because nobody believes them.

A mountain of work lies ahead for the coming generation: those of you who are able to stay in Ireland and roll up your sleeves. I can’t promise easy times.

But I can promise that the work to rebuild and reclaim our country is worthwhile, necessary and important.

I’m banking on cometh the hour, cometh the man – and woman.

Martina Devlin is an op-ed columnist with the Irish Independent. She has an MPhil in Anglo-Irish Literature from Trinity College Dublin.

Tuesday, January 25th 2010 | The University Times

12

TIMESOPINION

Over-the-counter Morning After Pill a positive step Rebecca Murphy USI Welfare Officer Last week, Boots announced that they would start providing the Morning After Pill, a form of emergency contraception, over the counter in their stores across the country. Boots are able to do this because the legislation states that pharmacists can provide the pill under a protocol drawn up by a doctor. Boots operate this service under a protocol authorised by their company’s medical director, thus putting them in a position to provide the EC pill to the person seeking it. Boots charge €45 for this service, which still works out cheaper than a visit to a GP and the prescription for the pill.

The Irish Pharmacy Union are currently working on a protocol which would

allow up to 1800 of their members to dispense this pill over the counter in their pharmacies and hope that this will occur within the next 6 months, thus easing access to emergency contraception for thousands of women across the country.

USI wholeheartedly welcomes both these moves. We believe that people are entitled to complete control over their reproductive rights and choices, and the accessibility of the morning after pill over the counter is an essential part of that – this policy has been affirmed at our Annual Congress by members of Students’ Unions all over the country.

The advantages of over the counter Emergency contraception is obvious to

anyone who has attempted to access the morning after pill out of hours (such as at weekends or in the evenings). The failure rate of the MAP is between 1% and 3% and it is most effective within 72 hours of unprotected sex, and the quicker the pill is taken the more effective it will be. In cases where unprotected sex has occurred unexpectedly (through a condom split, sexual assault or any other reason) it is imperative that the pill is acquired as soon as possible to ensure maximum protection against pregnancy. As well as time being of the essence in this situation, cost is also of importance especially to students.

If one needs to access an out of hours service for medical attention it can cost approximately €60 depending on the service you attend, plus the cost for the pill itself which can be up to €15.

While €45 in Boots is still too expensive and a huge mark up on the actual cost of the pill to provide, it still works out cheaper than previous out of hours services.

In countries where the EC pill is available over the counter you do not see an increase in demand – just a change in where people access the service. GPs currently report a spike in MAP presentations on Monday mornings after weekends of partying – but if the unprotected sex occurred on the Friday night, the effectiveness of the pill has been dramatically reduced in the time since then. The woman could be already pregnant and the pill then rendered entirely ineffective. An unplanned pregnancy could have a negative impact on a woman’s life, and the result of delayed access to the morning after pill could be an abortion or a baby being

born to a mother unable to provide what is necessary for a child. Therefore, it is imperative that access to emergency contraception be as easy and as affordable as possible whether it’s Sunday at 9am or Wednesday at 6pm – accidents, by their nature, are not planned. Therefore services must be flexible to respond to this fact of life.

While access to emergency contraception and the morning after pill is essential and important the Morning After Pill should not be used as a regular form of contraception for a number of reasons. While it does not stop being effective if you use it more than once it is less effective in the long term than other forms of contraception eg condoms, the contraceptive pill - and is also much more expensive. The morning after pill does not protect against

Concern gifts get my goat Diarmaid Murphy There are many annoying things about Christmas. At the same time, I can’t think of anything more irritating than the radio ads for Concern Gifts that are seemingly just impossible to avoid.

The whole concept just gets to me.

If you’re one of the few fortunate people that hasn’t been subjected to these evil advertisements, let me explain. The idea behind Concern Gifts is that a person wishing to buy a present for their lucky child, parent, family member, friend or mistress, gets them a card.

Written inside is a message which goes something like this.

“You’re never going to guess what you’re getting this Christmas! A goat! Isn’t that what you always wanted?

Doesn’t that fill you with joy? A goat! I know it has some drawbacks. Its milk tastes shite and it’s not really up for having the craic, but still, IT’S A MOTHAFUCKIN’ GOAT! Oh wait, one thing. The goat isn’t actually for you. The goat is for a family on the other side of the world. You don’t know them and you’ll never meet them.

But hey, I feel good now for getting them a goat, doing my bit of charity, and giving you this rubbish card that isn’t really a Christmas card at all. Happy Christmas!”

Jaysus. Who wants that, like?

So with that in mind, picture the scene. It’s Christmas morning. I run eagerly downstairs, anticipating a mountain of presents, ready to indulge myself like I have every Christmas of my life. So what if I’m spoilt? So what if it’s extravagant? It is Christmas, after all.

So perhaps you can understand my initial disappointment at seeing a solitary envelope under the tree.

But all is not lost. Sometimes cash is the best present of

all. Open the envelope. “It’s your lucky day.

Oh wait, it’s someone else’s lucky day. They’ve got a water pump.

You’ve got fuck all. Happy Christmas, you muppet.”

What a disgusting thing to do to someone. Being charitable is one thing. If you’re one of these bleeding-hearted, smug, simpering, vainglorious, lefty prats with a martyr complex, if you think that it’s up to you to solve the world’s problems one stupid goat at a time, well that’s just your problem. But don’t impose your stupidity on me. If you’re getting me a present, get me a present. Don’t exploit me in order to massage your own ego. If I want to have a

Louis Ryan Jaygo is the quintessential Trinity Graduate. Arrogant, smug, and of course, wildly deluded about his own future grandeur, he oozes effortless pretence with his retro dickie-bow, neon rosary beads and decorative elbow patches. Significantly, Jaygo is also wearing glassless glasses.

But has this always been Jaygo’s kind of outfit? Was he always brazen enough to wear a t-shirt bearing a logo that says “fuck capitalists and their money, love is free.”? Was this honestly the sort of attire Jaygo would have sported four years previously when he first walked stately into Front Square a naïve little Fresher?

Needless to say, it absolutely was not. Jaygo, along with thousands of other TCD students before

and after him, underwent a crafty transition in his TCD years, from Abercrombie and Fitch-soaked, wezzscarred Ross O’Carroll Kelly fanatic to alternative, chartloathing, “tattooed and pierced” cult-worshipper, and would very much like if this transition was kept a little bit bloody secret.

Originally hailing from one of the great generic South Dublin private schools, Gongowes or Clonzaga or something, Jaygo initially received a little bit of a culture shock when he first started frequenting “The Arts Block”. “There were all these freaks and shit,” Jaygo recalls, ”I just thought it seemed a little weird to be wearing luminous pyjamas at midday in the smoking area; most people in school had just been dressing in

on a journey of change.” It was not very long after this monumental step that he predictably began to habitually drink coffee and started experimenting with rolled cigarettes, among other things.”Top Buzzer” turned to “Topman”. ”Roids” became “Polaroids”. Suddenly bands known to more than a thousand “souls” lost any appeal.

It was also around this time when Jaygo noticed that many of the girls he was friendly with in school were embarking on their own “journey of change” as well.

Audrey Hepburn obsessions were becoming more common. Perhaps it was the wet Irish weather, but all of the fake tan they had been wearing so religiously in school seemed to magically wash off as first year moseyed by. Vampirish Girls could now be seen running around caked in ice-white foundation with bloody lipstick round their mouths.

may feel nauseous after taking the pill and will experience an irregular next period there is no evidence of long term ill-effects from the Morning After Pill.

If you find that you regularly do not use contraception due to alcohol intake then please talk to your welfare officer or to your Student Health team, or another medical professional who can advise you on your alcohol intake. According to drink aware almost half of men (45%) and a quarter of women (26%) agreed that drinking alcohol had contributed to them not using contraception.

With the SHAG packs your union will be handing out over the next few weeks and the cheap/free condoms from your Students’ Union, get into the habit of carrying condoms with you when you go out – whether you’re male or female. Prevention

is always better than cure.

The morning after pill is a much misunderstood but essential aspect of a society that values citizens’ reproductive freedoms – access to this must be convenient and must be at a much lower cost than is currently levied. USI urges the stakeholders in this situation – the pharmacies and the lawmakers – to ensure that emergency contraception becomes cheaper and more accessible to those that need it.

Trinity Student Health Centre is still the cheaper option for Trinity students during opening hours – it is €15 euro for the prescription and €15 for the tablet itself.

If you wish to learn more about your contraceptive choices, check out www. thinkcontraception.ie, talk to your Students’ Union welfare officer Steph on welfare@tcdsu.org or contact your Student Health Centre.

Student’s View: Darragh Haugh

self-indulgent, materialistic, fat Christmas, well I’m perfectly entitled to do just that.

And if you want to piss away all your money on goats, water pumps or worse, pineapple plants, then go right ahead.

But don’t impose your charity on me. The world is plagued with these altruism Nazis. They’re everywhere.

But damned if they’re gonna wreck my Christmas ever again.

“There’s a world outside your window, and it’s a world of dread and fear.”

Well, thanks for pointing that out, but if I choose to ignore it, that’s my decision.

It’s cold outside.

The Arts Block Manifesto uniforms. I have to say, if I’m honest, I remember thinking, ‘like, instead of wearing skinny jeans, why can’t you just be a lad and wear normal-sized jeans?’”

Jaygo now stresses that his initial “hostility towards difference” was simply due to an enormous misunderstanding. “I was so protected by the system in those days, like these people were operating on a totally different wavelength; I just didn’t get that they were cult icons of youth back then, I was such a tragedy of a person.”

As his first year went on however, Jaygo began to tentatively experiment with some of the fashions of the great Trinity hordes. “The first step was a scarf”, he admits, “like, I just decided I’d give it a shot and see what happened. I remember walking under front arch with it slung over my shoulder like a rifle. It felt good, very good; I could already feel myself embarking

STIs, so if you have had unprotected sex you may want to consider getting an STI test in the near future to confirm that you haven’t contracted a sexually transmitted infection from your partner.

It’s important to note that Emergency Contraception is just like other forms of contraception – it prevents pregnancy, it does not end it. It does not cause an abortion. It prevents the release of an egg from the ovary for 5-7 days, by which time any sperm from the sexual encounter will have died off. The EC pill does not increase the chances of infertility in later life and there is no evidence that if the MAP fails and the person falls pregnant that it will have harmed the foetus or increase the chance of an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that develops outside the womb). While some women

Eye shadow became darker and darker and darker.

But with his own rite of passage now seemingly complete, at what troubled, mysterious corner of current Irish society does Jaygo envisage himself and members of his ilk?

“We are the indefinable, uncatagorisable children of an ancient romantic vision of modern society, or Trinity Alts if you must.’’

And finally, how does he respond to people who say ‘glassless glasses do absolutely nothing to help your eyesight, why are you wearing them?’ ‘’My glasses have helped my own personal spiritual transition hugely. Even if they haven’t helped my eyesight in the literal sense, they’ve changed my perspective. Before I was blind.

I now see these mystical people for the intimidatingly cool hipsters they truly are.’’

Sympathy for smokers We live in a society where taste for cigarettes is tantamount to a political sympathy for the Nazi party. Why should we be ashamed of a personal habit when we are fully aware of the risks? Most non smokers would point to the awful smell and long term health problems, but the smell of day old MacDonald’s and booze is a far worse assault on the sense’s, not to mention the consequences for one’s health. Where’s the national anti fat smelly party animal campaign?

Unlike these other vices the joy of smoking is mostly psychological and not as some people would argue a physiological need.

Firstly smoking can be an extremely important part of self expression. As children we lived entirely joyful carefree existence yet as we age, enjoyment often takes a backseat to the work off the day or another unnecessary uses of effort. Smoking is the easiest way as recapturing this mindset as it provides an excuse to break from work and to simply enjoy a moment of carefree pleasure.

In addition to this smoking is the most readily available form of reward today.

Since the pat on the back we really deserve rarely shows half as much as it’s needed smoking acts as a quick personal treat for finishing the essay, attending a lecture or a hard day’s work. Beyond that it can be a quite means of celebration whether it’s after getting the exam scores you wanted or its after having a romantic moment with the girl you always had a thing for, cigarettes are your own personal filtered champagne bottle just waiting to be popped. Beyond acting as a reward system

sometimes cigarettes can prolong an already great experience like smoking after a good meal, almost like an extra course, or while drinking as if adding icing to your cake.

Then there’s the sheer beauty of having the cigarette itself. The ethereal intangible floating nature of the smoke has always been captivating. It’s the same reason you always catch people looking at their breath on a particularly cold day. Something about it simply catches both your eye and imagination. The heat in your chest is almost instant and soon spreads to the rest of your body acting like an extra layer of clothing. It’s as if the cigarette is alive. Its style is undeniable, from James Dean to Mad Men it’s become a massive part of popular culture. The Fashion Spot alone has a forum thread 237 pages long filled with images of models smoking. The morality of this has been argued but at the end of the day smoking when done well can be a very attractive act. This goes hand in hand which smoking’s social aspect.

Smoking like drinking the two most popular ways people use to socialise and make new friends and in this regard smoking is defiantly the superior as the friend you make drunk is rarely the person you meet in the harsh light of sobriety. Finding people of a similar mindset is simple as many of Trinity’s social scenes even claim their particular smoking areas.

The society and SU members camp outside house 6 while the hipster scene is found outside the ground floor entrance to the Arts block, the academic smoker lives outside the main

entrances to the library and twenty four hour study room while the chronic socialisers and time killers have found a home on the Arts block ramp. Smoking is the easiest way of forming a bound with a stranger as instantly you can share a common interest while trying to kill some time.

This tends to mean some of the best times you’ve had happen while smoking which in turns leads to smoking acting as a photo album, almost instantly taking you back to the most memorable moments of the last few years. Its proven that smells are the most effective way of accessing old memories and as non smokers will always remind us that smoking defiantly has a strong scent which makes it particularly good at transporting us back to that night out or often the morning after. Most of my reminiscing is done over a solitary cigarette further allowing me to relax after that killer all night essay marathon.

I’m not saying smoking is for everyone, my black and pink spotted lungs are evidence of this. The health problems aside, due to the staggering large vat on smokes I’m well on my way to bailing this country out without any help from the I.M.F. and many of you won’t be convinced of by my argument thus reinforcing my position as a social pariah to the non smoking community, however smoking is a much a habit as it is a part of my personality. I accept that smoking my on occasion hurts my lungs but to give it up would break my heart.

Please think about that the next time you’re about to pass judgement on someone for smoking.

Censor Mark Twain? You can huck off Rachel Hanna Huckleberry Finn, the classic novel by Mark Twain contains the word “nigger” 219 times. As a result it has been widely challenged by school boards and teachers across America who are uncomfortable with having such a word read out in a class room of impressionable students. This has led to a growing number of young people not being exposed to a brilliant book that ultimately carries a message of non discrimination and

equality. Dr Alan Gribben, a Twain scholar, felt that this injustice could be righted by substituting all instances of the word “nigger” for “slave”. Now a new edition is being published by NewSouth under Gribben’s guidance which omits racial slurs “nigger” and “injun” from the original text.

Gribben insists that these omissions do not lesson the power of the book, and that they are necessary to allow students to enjoy in Twain’s

masterpiece.

My question is, can censorship, even when well intentioned, ever be justified?

Censorship is an extremely dangerous concept, that even when coming from a well meaning place leads to confusion, misinformation, and at its most severe, oppression. Once we allow words to be removed here and there, it opens the door for offending passages being lost or books being banned.

While in this instance there may not be any sinister Orwellian subtext, a person’s right to free speech, should never be tampered with.

On a more practical

level removing the word that packs the most punch in satirizing the racism inherent of the time lessons the impact of Huckleberry Finn. How can one present an unblinking account of bigotry if the defining racist term is omitted? Twain is famous for his use of vernacular, it is central to his craft as a writer. I doubt he would have supported the decision to produce copies which changed the language to reflect a political correctness that simply wasn’t there when the book was set.

Huck Finn depicts racial attitudes along the Mississippi before the Civil War; to

simply erase the racial slurs that were commonly used almost serves to white wash a part of history. Are we to tell these children that oppression and slavery never happened? That a word that hateful was never commonly used? The George Santayana quote that “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” seems apt when one considers how easily history can be forgotten, America, now with a black president, smug in its open mindedness, could easily forget hundreds of years of slavery.

The publishers argue that teachers do not want to read

aloud passages which contain the offending word to classes with a mixed set of races. They argue it could prompt a divide in such classes, and the rebirth of the word in its ugliest form.

My only response to that is, what do they think these schools are teaching high schoolers if they cannot be expected to understand the simple concept of context?

Will the teacher in teaching the novel not bother to explain the themes, time period and overall subtext of the book? If this is the case then we should be looking at the teaching of the book not the book itself. If a teacher

cannot read aloud the offending word, without fear of the PC police despite it being neither his own words nor a racist piece of literature of itself, then maybe their own prejudice is coming into play.

Furthermore, if you censor or make a word “bad” it becomes all the more attractive and gives a power to the word it previously may not have received. Whereas if the readers are going to see the word in print over two hundred times it loses any allure it may have had and becomes what it is: an ugly derogatory slur. The chuckles or gasps subside and

Twain’s message is received.

Censorship isn’t the answer.

Rather than hearing the “nword” said in hushed tones by the scandalised middle class, or its “nigga” variants in rap songs which seek to take the word back so to speak, maybe the best way, to educate generations to come on the dangers of human fear, maliciousness and ignorance is to present them with the word, in plain ink, within a context which aims to denigrate racist attitudes.

13

The University Times | Tuesday, January 25th 2011

TIMESSPORTS

TRINITY PREVIEWS: RBS 6 NATIONS 2011 With the first round of this year’s Six Nations Championships fast approaching, UT asks Trinity’s finest rugby brains for their two cents on what should be a closely-fought tournament.

Patrick Lavelle, Leinster U20 and Trinity J1 Winners: England Surprise package: France. Nobody knows what to expect from the French right now. Benjamin Fall is a lighting-quick winger who may surprise a few defences if he gets game time.

Triple Crown Winners: England, again.

Player to Watch out for: Sean O’ Brien, the in-form player in the Heineken Cup this year. Presuming he plays, that is.

Scott LaValla, U.S. Eagle and Trinity Senior rugby captain * Winners: The All Blacks had a strong showing in November. I like them.

Surprise Package: Chocolates are always nice. But flowers are a safe bet too.

IRELAND Fresh from an autumn of mixed performances, Kidney’s men will need to be both cunning and ruthless in order to win that elusive second Grand Slam. A strong blend of youth and experience permeates the squad, with the likes of Shaun O’Brien and Johnny Sexton jostling for position with veterans David Wallace and Ronan O’Gara. Home fixtures against France and England could prove helpful, as neither has played at the new Aviva stadium. With the World Cup around the corner, Kidney could choose to flood the squad with new blood, with a bigger picture in mind.

The key man, as always, is Brian O’Driscoll who’s both offensive and defensive qualities pose problems for any team. If O’Driscoll can remain injury free, Ireland will have a much greater chance of taking the Grand slam crown again. Another positive facet for the boys in green is strength of their back row. Stephen Ferris

WALES

Triple Crown Winners: Wait, there’s three?

Player to watch out for: Malcolm O’ Kelly. He’s been quiet lately out there, but we all figure he’s due a good performance.

* Scott has finished in last place in the Rugby Club’s ‘Fantasy Six Nations’ competition for the last two years.

Trinity predicts Irish triumph - Poll In a survey carried out by UT Sports, Trinity students showed their national pride in predicting that Ireland will win this year’s RBS 6 Nations Championship.

38.2% of the 110 students surveyed predicted that Declan Kidney’s men would top the table, despite a poor run of form in the recent Autumn Internationals series fixtures against South Africa, Argentina, New Zealand, and South Africa.

In defiance of the anti-French sentiment which exploded onto the Irish sporting scene in Paris in November 2009, 32.7% make Marc Lieveremont’s Bleus the most likely challengers, with the Welsh a distant third favourite of Trinity students on 18%. England, Scotland, and Italy round off Trinity’s predicted table, with the latter two only polling a single vote each.

When asked about Ireland’s chances of winning back the Grand Slam, Trinity students reclaimed their place on the metaphorical fence, with 59.3% rating our chances as ‘decent’, with an unconvincing 11.1% choosing ‘strong’ and a melancholic 29.6% opting for ‘nonexistent’. Come on boys and girls, where is Trinity’s wellknown nationalistic enthusiasm? Summing up Trinity’s lack of confidence in

Ireland’s Grand Slam hopes, one student commented ‘We have the kind of team who can go on to win the Championship, but we’re in the kind of form that suggests that we could be vulnerabe to France and England, even of they do have to come to Dublin’.

Staying true to their Leinster heritage, an overwhelming 78.8% of students surveyed declared their preference for Johnny Sexton to wear number 10 ahead of his provincial rival Ronan O’Gara. Declan Kidney seems far less decisive on the matter, struggling to choose between the ageing, experienced and once invincible O’ Gara and Sexton’s playmaking prowess which offers less in terms of place-kicking.

In the poll’s final question, 60% of the 100 students who answered would back a fit-again Tomás O’ Leary to regain his number 9 shirt for the series, with the remaining 40% bidding Peter Stringer to cotinue a remarkable return from the international scrap-heap.

Stringer has played secondfiddle to Ó Leary when both are fit, but the Autumn Internationals showed that ‘Strings’ will never be far from the hearts and minds of Irish rugby.

After a disappointing Autumn Series, Wales need to sharpen up their defense and their finishing if they are to threaten any of the tournament favourites. That said, they were within touching distance of victories coming into the last ten minutes and could have snatched a win against South Africa to the bitter end.

With the pack weakened by an injury list including Adam Jones and Gethyn Jenkins it will be up to the back line to split defenses and finish chances. Inclusion of celebrity guest star Gavin Henson in the squad could tip the balance in their favour, or drag the whole squad into reality TV farce.

Injuries are going to hurt this Welsh side: Stepen Jones and Shane Williams will miss a game or two, and Lee Byrne may miss the entire Championship as he struggles to overcome the

ITALY Italy’s 15 man brawl game looks set to inflict damage, but no losses, again this year, with the gulf in class only magnified by the looming spectre of the World Cup and the absence of Mauro Bergamasco and Craig Gower.

Nick Mallet’s side lack real imagination and don’t have the array of game-breakers which is synonymous with most other RBS Six Nations teams, with the exception of maybe Scotland. What Italian rugby lacks most is the element of surprise. What Italian rugby lacks most is the element of surprise.

They remain incredibly predictable, without posing any real threat to any of the big sides. Mirco Bergamasco remains their main tryscoring threat, although in recent years, Gonzalo Canale and New Zealand-born Luck McLean have come on leaps and bounds.

It appears the most obvious way for an Italian victory to come about is through

and Jamie Heaslip are both former Lions and have had magnificent seasons with their respective clubs. Their physical prowess will help the Irish team win the ball quickly at the breakdown, thus releasing the mercurial combination work of D’Arcy and O’Driscoll.

One of the question marks which remains over the Irish side, is the shambles which is the front row.

With Jerry Flannery still out injured and Connacht young gun Sean Cronin set to replace him, the lineout and scrum will be caught in a transitional phase. The scrum itself is still coming under scrutiny as both the New Zealanders and the South Africans were able to exploit that during the Autumn Internationals. John Hayes is still without adequate replacement and, although Cian Healy has done well at loose-head, cover remains thin in the front row.

Part of the Irish game which will always remain consistent is the organisation of the defensive line which has been revamped

in the Kidney era. As well as this, if Sexton starts, and fails under pressure, then Kidney can always turn to the territory game of Ronan O’Gara, which has always served us well in the past.

They will be fit, well organised and tough to beat.

long-standing injury problems that kept him out of the Autumn Internationals. A hefty amount of the responsibility will therefore find its home on the young shoulders of Leigh Halfpenny and Jamie Roberts, who has struggled to reproduce his best form since starring for the British and Irish Lions in South Africa in 2009.

and tiring legs. On that note, this must be the last Six nations for both Stephen Jones and Martyn Williams - at the age of 33 and 35 respectively, the time has surely come for Wales’ bright young stars to prove their worth. A side who are never out of it, but when they have a bad year, they have an awful year.

Expect 4th or 5th place, with the Scotland match the one to watch.

EC

Warren Gatland is an experienced coach and, with the help of Shaun Edwards, he will do his utmost to make sure this Welsh side are competitive until the final whistle. That said, there is not a lot he can do with a side fractured by injuries, inconcistent regional sides, the medium of the high upand-under. This tactic has been used effectively by the Azzurri in the Autumn Internationals, to create slow ball and break the momentum of the opposition. However, with most sides nowadays choosing to retain possession and run with the ball from deep, this tactic could prove unsuccessful.

Their forwards lack the

all-round capabilities to compete, both at the breakdown and on the defensive line, with the exceptions of Sergio Parisse and Martin Castrogiovanni. They don’t have the strength in depth to cope with the severity of the campaign, and they forwards will surely falter

‘’Irish sides of late tend to follow an ‘ebb and flow’ pattern; they play out of their skin for 18 months and then are forced into a minor period of transition, resulting in a run of dodgy performances.

This time around, the period of transition is fairly major, with at least 6 of the 15 positions up for grabs. Amazing situation for an Irish team.’’

- Jack Leahy, Sports Editor, Dublin lad.

’We’re probably not going to win this year – we always go alright, but this side will really have to overachieve to win. I think George North could really come into his own this year, and I’m not at all biased by the fact that he grew up in my area (we probably have mutual friends on facebook!). In seriousness, this really could be his big year. Pob lwc!’

- Gemma Kentish, JF European Studies from Bangor.

towards the end of the campaign.

What could help change their luck this year is the inclusion of Italian clubs Aironi and Treviso in the Magner’s League. Such experience against other European sides could provide Italian players with the necessary smarts which they have suffered without, in years gone by. Expect a heroic effort rewarded only by the wooden spoon. ‘’Hopes of a Six Nations win are unrealistic, but for once the Italy that has had trouble pushing forward has invested in an aggressive setup. Treviso and Aironi have shown that the new generation of Italian players are promising by forcing their Celtic opponents to fight for every inch. Mallet’s confidence in what he claims is a much improved squad is perhaps the most inspiring prospect and gives Italy supporters reason to be optimistic.’’

- Claudio Sansone, JF English Studies, from Rome

ENGLAND The tournament’s perpetual under-achievers could finally have their big break.

Martin Johnson’s squad consists of a mouth-watering combination of (getting tired of this phrase yet?) experience and youth, a group endowed with the youthful exuberance of Danny Care, Chris Ashton and Courtney Lawes and given vigour by the calm old heads of Jonny Wilkinson, Joe Worsley and Lewis Moody.

A first Six Nations title since 2003 looks a distinct possibility. While their chances are no doubt improved exponentially by the dissaray of title rivals Ireland, France, and Wales, England have enough about them to win by virtue of their own talents.

That said, Johnson’s England are not a team with a ‘winning mentality’, and it is going to take a super-human effort to defy their seemingly natural urge to let go of leads and let good chances go. This is why, despite the good form of Toby Flood in

FRANCE For the first time in (my) living memory, France are entering a Six Nations Championship as the tournament’s enigma. What to expect from this French side? Or, more importantly, who to expect from this French side? Few if any look immune to the free-falling axe of the selectors, with even the juggular force of Imanol Harinordoquay assuming the role of ‘H2O technician’ for recent clashes.

In any other year, this would not be a problem. But this is World Cup year, and teams need to get themselves together. With only eight international games left before the tournament kicks off in New Zealand, coach Marc Lievremont needs to decide on the vast majority of his best XV and give them time together.

Of particular importance to the French will be the out-half position. Damien Traille has done a poor job

SCOTLAND Andy Robinson’s tenacious squad shocked many after beating the World Champion Springboks in November. But with many of the native clubs putting in good Magner’s League performances earlier in the year, who should be surprised? Dan Parks has controlled the game well and will need to kick to a Paterson standard to avoid criticism. Like Ireland, they have a tough, aggressive defensive line, and thus very difficult to gain momentum against. They will use these tactics to partake in an 80 minute war of attrition with the opposition, landing cheap penalties and squeezing out results.

the npower Premiership, England must select Wilkinson at out-half.

Many of these games are likely to come right down to the wire, and if I were to find myself overseeing a team locked in a 15-15 draw in Paris with three minutes remaining, Wilkinson is the player I would want on the pitch dictating the play.

Despite all his injury problems. the man still tackles, kicks, passes and thinks as good as anyone in the business, as he has shown in the Top 14 with Toulon in keeping Felipe Contepomi out of the side.

I can honestly see Englanfd taking advantage of the poor form of the other sides, but the Grand Slam may be slightly beyond their reach. They look capable of beating anyone on their day but it is hard to imagine that they will overcome inconsistency to so great an extent that they win five consecutive games against high-quality opposition. Expect victories over Ireland and France in what should be the most closely-fought

games of the tournament, but a comprehensive implosion against Wales or Scotland.

A win should surprise few, a Grand Slam would surprise the team themsleves. Watch out for Lawes, Wilkinson, and Care as the bright lights of what should be a successful campaign.

‘A talented squad capable of a lot but not one on which I’d put my house. They’ll be there or thereabouts if they can put problems with consistency well behind them, but that’s a big ask for this group, who haven’t played too well domestically of late’.

- David Cullinan, JF Film Studies/French, half English.

of holding up the fort since the last Championships because he is simply not a French number 10. With the place-kicking scrumhalf an almost exclusively French phenomenon and the squad traditionally filled with devastating runners, a French number 10 earns his stripes in the play-maker role. While he is a good rugby player, a successful French side can only incorporate Traille if he is wearing 13 with Yannick Jauzion inside of him.

But what about replacing him? Francois Trinh-Duc has never been given a proper chance and he looks like the best option right now.

David Skrela and Freddie Michalak have both been on the fringes of recent squads, but Skrela’s age and Michalak’s softness and unreliability should count against them. I stress the use of the word ‘should’, because as I said, we never quite know what to expect. All are talented players, but only one can play but a decision

should be made by the third game of the Championship as to who will start in the World Cup. They are not looking strong, but it would take either a stupid man or a begrudging football fan to bet against the French.

New players have filled the side, as Robinson’s mantra has been to give a chance to anyone who has shown enough desire. As such, Greig Laidlaw, Ruaridh Jackson and Rory Lawson have joined the backline ranks and have begun jostling for places. Both showed promise earlier in the season and Robinson hopes they will be the weapons which Scotland has had to cope without for many years. Although Scotland has had strong wingers for years gone by (Simon Danielli and Sean Lamont come to mind), what they have lacked is the ability to give them good opportunities with the ball consistently.

Such is the fault of the centre partnerships which haven’t come to fruition as was hoped. It is now expected that Lawson will start alongside Graeme Morrison in the middle to allow the Scottish backline to flow effectively. Flair has been missing from the Scottish backline for a long time, and these new additions will hopefully

bolster the backline threat.

In the forward pack, the Scottish are typically tough.

John Barclay and Ross Ford add a bit of quality to an otherwise one-dimensional scrum-lineout-ruck front eight. Their ball-carrying skills will serve the Scots well, as will their ability to get around the field and make the necessary tackles. Veterans such as Nathan Hines and Euan Murray will provide the Scottish frontmen with the proper experience to see off some tough challenges if the chips fall their way If the Scots can force teams into structured matches without giving up too many line breaks, they stand a much better chance of winning.

‘Rarely does a Scottish side go into anything feeling quietly confident – but that’s exactly how Andy Robinson’s side must be feeling right now. Come on !’’

- Diane MacGregor, SF Maths, from Aberdeen

‘I can’t see a French victory this year. The coach doesn’t look like he knows even a third of his starting team, and what a team needs in World Cup year is consistency and a good team spirit, neither of which we seem to have right now.’

- Catherine Walsh, JF French/English TSM, half French.

Ones to watch - the 6N stars crucial to their nation’s hopes IRELAND: JAMIE HEASLIP

FRANCE: VINCENT CLERC

WALES: GAVIN HENSON

ENGLAND: COURTNEY LAWES

ITALY: MIRCO BERGAMASCO

SCOTLAND: DAN PARKS

The Leinster numbe eight has managed to remain the most consistent player in the Irish squad for the past two years. These performances have had some critics class him among the world’s best back-row forwards such as Richie McCaw andChris Pocock. His form has helped Leinster progress into the knockout stage of th Heineken Cup, and he will be expected to lead Ireland similarly in the next chamionship.

Irish fans will never forget Clerc’s last minute try in Croke Park’s first ever rugby fixture in 2007. Since then, Clerc has gone from stregth to strength and ranks with Shane Williams as one of the game’s best finishers. Lightning quick and good under the high ball, the rest of Europe’s major rugby nations will be cowering at the sight of Clerc potentially teaming up with Julien Malzieu.

With a fleeting foxtrot, a sumptuous samba and a wonderful waltz, Henson is sure to pull in the votes. That’s what the BBC thought when Henson was selected for the Strictly Come Dancing squad, but what on earth was Warren Gatland thinking in picking him in his? Rusty, lacking in confidence and never really that good in the first place, Henson’s presence in the squad is likely to destabilise rather than inspire .

The Leicester lock recieved a call up from Martin Johnson in the Autumn internationals after many pundits crying for his inclusion. Tough, athletic and tireless, he could be the antidote to England’s bad form. He will,however, need to improve his lineout technique in order to be a real threat to the other nations. Lawes’ role in the squad will be bolstered by the amount of experience of the likes of big Joe Worsley.

Italy’s standout player last time around in the absence of Sergio Parisse, the younger Bergamasco has now assumed the kicking role ater a series of unreliable out-halves came and went (rememer Ramiro Pez?). With the other sides still looking a level above at the moment, Bergamasco Jr. will be tantamount to the Italians’ hopes of avoiding their (almost) perpetual wooden spoon.

The Edinburgh out-half has helped his side to 7th place in the Magner’s League this year, the higher of the two Scottish sides. His recent string of good performances has led rugby pundit Stephen Jones to choose his as his ‘perfect number 10 to lead a team’. New Zealand-born out-half is renowned for his excellent decision-making under pressure. Improvements in his goalkicking could see Paterson left out.

Tuesday, January 25th 2011 | The University Times

14

TIMESSPORTS

Howzat? Not bad.

60 years of GAA in TCD: A brief history

Jack Leahy Sports Editor

Mairead McParland Staff Writer

After 25 days without anything close to a sufficient amount of sleep, I can finally rest easy, safe in the knowledge that England (it’s OK to support them; Eoin Morgan is from Ireland) have retained the Ashes with a superlative-evoking and record-breaking series of performances down under.

Said performances – three innings victories, devastating bowling and a record nine centuries to name but a few highlights – were so good that I would go as far as calling them un-English. As my deputy Matt once noted, English sports teams tend to suffer from the fact that ‘’there’s always one lad who’s not doing his job’’ as his team collapse around him. Think of Lampard and Gerrard pouring forward gratuitously with no regard for defensive cover, and of Steve Thompson’s wayward throwing in the ill-fated 2004 Six Nations Championship.

To be fair, it was not perfect this time around, and that ‘’lad’’ was Paul Collingwood; while he excelled in the field with some truly awesome catching, as an allrounder he was expected to contribute much more with bat and ball. Consistent failure at the crease in the key number six slot could so easily have proven fatal for his side, potentially exposing the tail a few hours earlier than they would have liked.

Such was England’s overwhelming batting prowess, however, that Collingwood’s failures were practically negligible. Aliastar Cook and Johnathan Trott put their hands up for hypothetical selection in many fanatics’ ‘’World Test XI’’, with captain fantastic Andrew Struass, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, and Matt Prior all contributing centuries at key moments. When all of a team’s specialist batsmen all notch up centuries in a series, there is little chance that the team will end the series on the losing side.

But this was a team effort, and a magnanimous one at that. Putting 600+ runs on the board is futile if the bowling is expensive and impotent. An Aussie side boasting the batting abilities of Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, and Mike ‘Mr. Cricket’ Hussey were all out nine times in ten innings, taught a comprehensive lesson in reverseswing by James Anderson.

The so-called ‘Burnley Express’ proved himself to be the best fast bowler in the world in this series, ably supported by Tim Bresnan, Graeme Swann, Steven Finn and Chris Tremlett. Wickets tumbled at just the right times and the run-rate was more frugal than a Michael O’ Leary business venture as England’s attack mercilessly pummelled their opponents into a writhing submission.

The effusive praise has not yet reached a conclusion, nor could it ever do so without recognition of the men who put this side together: coach Andy Flower and captain Strauss. The scale of their achievement in retaining the Ashes down under is only rendered grander when we consider their respective mountains long-since summitted.

Just over two years ago, Strauss was in New Zealand in a desperate effort to save his international career, only staying in the side by the skin of his teeth. He looked a broken man, pawing meekly outside his offstump in a doomed effort to put runs on the board.

In April 2009, Flower inherited a team in disarray following Peter Moore’s sudden dismissal and Kevin Pietersen’s acrimonious resignation as team captain. In the period since their coming together, they have both reclaimed and retained the Ashes and won the ICC World Twenty20, emerging from the rubble of Pietersen’s regime and instilling a winning mentality and focus too frequently absent from the repatoire of otherwise talented English sports

teams.

Their decisions were also spot-on on a basis so consistent that it bordered on the psychic. Strauss made all the right calls when he won the toss, whereas his Australian counterparts seemed to play into his meticulous plans having called correctly. Replacing leading wickettaker Steven Finn with the unglamourous Tim Bresnan after a crushing 274-run defeat in Perth was a difficult call, but one which stabilised the side where previous teams might have been prone to collapse.

There were, of course, two teams in it, and for the sake of fairness, a few words on the Australians are required. No longer intimidating and dominating, the Aussies are still missing the likes of Shane Warne, Glen McGrath, Matthew Hayden, and Adam Gilchrist. They lack the aura exuded by their now retired stars that had English sides beaten from the moment they stopped off the 24-hour flight from Heathrow. A grim period of transition now awaits a side seriously lacking in world-class talent, with 2009 ICC World Player of the Year Mitchell Johnson now looking more afraid of what will come out of his hand than the opposition batsmen does.

The ODI series, however, is proving a little more challenging as England fail to pile on the runs when needed and lose key wickets at key moments. Things will have to turn around fast if they are to follow last year’s Twenty20 heroics with another limited-overs championships on the subcontinent.

But take nothing away from this English side, because Australia is still the toughest place to come and play your cricket. To perform so consistently and fearlessly is the mark of a truly great team in the making and they deserve all the praise they get for this memorable tour, one which has been worth all the exhaustion of staying up until dawn.

NFL: Hopefuls , champs, and badlytimed sexts Melanie Giedlin Staff Writer Now that the postseason is in full swing, the remaining teams in the NFL are feeling the pressure to come out as the top dog in Superbowl XLV. After an eventful Wildcard Weekend, in which Superbowl XLIV champs the New Orleans Saints were eliminated in a 36-41 game against the Seattle Seahawks, the Indianapolis Colts lost 16-17 to the New York Jets, the Kansas Chiefs were steamrolled 7-30 by the Baltimore Ravens, and the Philadelphia Eagles were beaten 16-21 by the Green Bay Packers, many fans were left disappointed as their teams choked where it seemed to matter most. In particular, the Seahawks were finally able to shake off the ridicule heaped on them after a losing season when they beat the Saints, with Matt Hasselbeck throwing 4 touchdowns.

In the Divisional games, the competition got down to the wire. In the four games that were played, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets and Chicago Bears emerged victorious. The Steelers knocked the AFC division playoff win right out of their division rivals’ hands with 1:33 minutes to go, getting a 7-point edge over the Ravens. Completing 31 out of 36 passes, quarterback Aaron Rodgers (Brett Favre who?) led the Packers all the way to the NFC championship game on, ending the Atlanta Falcons Superbowl aspirations after an impressive and seemingly untouchable 13-3 run in the NFC South. The Bears victory over the Seahawks (35-24) is setting the scene for an exciting rivalry game in the NFC championship game against the Green Bay Packers, this time with bigger stakes than before. Leaving mouths agape, The Jets won 28-21 over the New England Patriots, leaving mouths agape as runningback Shonn Greene scored a touchdown to eliminate the NFL team with the best record.

By the time you read this article we will

know who will be the contenders in Superbowl XLV on February 6th. Who will take home the NFC championship, played our between rivals Bears and Packers on Soldier Field? In their meeting last September, the Bears won 20-17, but Packers were able to cling onto their 10-6 run on Jan 2 (Score: 10-3) to garner the sixth seed in the NFC. If Aaron Rodgers stays on top of his 22 TD/2 interception game, and Jay Cutler crumbles under Packers defense, especially cornerback Tramon Williams, it could spell victory for the Packers. As for the Jets/Steelers game, the Jets will seemingly stop at nothing to conquer the AFC. Quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Tom Brady couldn’t hold them; will Ben Roethlisberger, who’s been hitting hard this season, be able to? Roethlisberger himself has admitted that the Jets’ defense is going to be a challenge – however with safety Troy Polamalu back in the game along with receiver Hines Ward and wide receiver Mike Wallace it’s going to be a matchup that will be in a word, epic.

Lastly, let’s talk about Brett Favre, though there is not much to say. First there were the allegations of misconduct, following Jets employee Jenn Sterger’s claims Favre had sent her inappropriate messages and pictures, evidence posted on sports blog Deadspin.com As someone who has had a career comparatively clean of scandal, Favre suffered immediate backlash and had to pay a $50,000 fine to the NFL for failing to cooperate with the investigation. After his shoulder injury in the December 2nd game against the Buffalo Bills, his last NFL appearance on December 20th against the Chicago Bears, and a failed concussion test, it was easy to see the game was wearing on him. After stringing along fans with his near-retirements and moves from team to team, it’s official: as of January 17th 2011, Brett Favre has retired from the NFL. Then again, you probably would too if there were pictures of your junk all over the internet.

It is said that from little acorns great oaks grow and no more apt a saying than that could be used in reference to Trinity GAA. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the first Gaelic Football team success in Trinity so we take a look back at the origins and development of what is now one of the most vibrant clubs in college References to the game of “hurley” being played in Trinity College date back to 1871, thirteen years before the GAA was founded but there remains some debate as to whether the game played was a precursor to modern day hockey as opposed to hurling. After this Gaelic games in Trinity remained very much under the radar until a special group of players put it on the map in 1951 and put the foundations in place for the GAA club as we know it today.

The idea for the football team was first mooted by Gerry O’Neill, a young science student with a passion for the game. O’Neill was lucky – his time in Trinity coincided with that of future Allstar Colm Kennelly and Kevin Heffernan the Dublin legend as well as Packie Brennan of Tipperary and Pat Markey of Louth. Enough players were found to field a team and they were entered in the Duke Cup. At this time DUCAC refused to acknowledge their existence due to the fact games were played on a Sunday so the Trinity College footballers entered their first competition under the name the Collegians. In a gesture that illustrates the barriers which can be broken down by sport, they played the Duke Cup Final wearing jerseys lent to them by the college rugby team. As Jack Finian wryly remarked, his team were probably the first to feature in an All Ireland final

Left: Duke Cup winners 1951, Right: 2010 league final v CIT in Croke Park with a donated set of the club their first set of jerseys. second hand rugby jerseys! Team Trinity continued to grow in captain Gerry O’Neill magnani- strength winning the Division 2 mously refused to select himself as league and Sigerson shield in 1977. he felt other players were younger The great Dublin team of the 1970s and more mobile than he and his had strong links to college with team selection proved to be a suc- manager Kevin Heffernan, captain cessful one as the Collegians ran out Tony Hanahoe, Jim Brogan (uncle of winners in the final against the UCD current Dublin stars Alan and BerCollege of Science on a score line of nard), and Tommy Drumm all stu1-5 to 0-6. dents and Robbie Kelleher a part From its very inception Trin- time lecturer. Between 1989 and ity GAA club was unhindered by 1991 the club had assembled anothboundaries of religion or culture. er team of future stars and were very Regular seven a sides were held unlucky not to bring the ultimate with the rugby club and one of the prize back to Trinity. Backboned by first vice presidents of Trinity GAA current Dublin manager Pat Gilroy was a Church of Ireland man, John and pundit Joe Brolley the team reMcCarthy, who was an interpro- main one of the most successful in vincial hockey player. It was in this Trinity, capturing the Division 1 open minded environment that the League in 1991. club thrived. In the 1960s the hurlToday, Trinity boasts the full ing and football teams were entered complement of Gaelic games on in the Fitzgibbon and Sigerson Cups campus. The men’s football team – the premier competitions for third is represented on the senior interlevel teams. A set of jerseys had to county scene by Sean Murray (Dubbe sourced now that the club was lin), Kieran Nolan (Carlow), Franplaying in the top tier so Trinity ap- cis Boyle (Westmeath) and Tomás proached Down County Board, who Corrigan (Fermanagh). With playas well as being the standard bear- ers of this calibre the hope is that ers of Gaelic football in that era, a return to top level football edgwere the only county team to wear es ever closer. The hurlers compete red and black. After hearing of Trin- against intercounty teams in the Keity’s request for jerseys supporters hoe Cup. Dublin players Joey Boland including Brian McCartan, grand- and Danny Sutcliffe and Kilkenny’s father of the current Down manag- Martin Phelan spearhead the side er James and fullback Dan, donated and have the aim of returning to

the Fitzgibbon Cup within the next three years. Camogie has firmly established itself and the team have qualified for the Purcell weekend following an emphatic victory away to Limerick. Three time All Star and All Ireland winning captain Catriona Foley is the highest profile player in college but she is ably assisted by a quality team. Handball has made a comeback and already great strides have been made. Cormac McMahon will travel to represent Trinity at the World Collegiate Games later this year. The Ladies Football team has gone from strength to strength and this year for the first time ever they fielded an Intermediate and a Senior team, testament to the growing popularity of the game.

Trinity GAA has come a long way from the days of the borrowed rugby jerseys but the same family atmosphere and pride in the jersey pervade the club as they did sixty years ago. February 4th has been designated as a day of celebration and a Colours match against UCD has been organised to take place on the rugby pitch where the Voice of the GAA, Michael O’Muirceartaigh will provide commentary. Throw in as at 2pm and it provides a rare opportunity for the whole college to come out and see for themselves what Trinity GAA is all about.

Draw for GAA Lynch & Lagan Cups made Jack Leahy Sports Editor The draws for the Ladies Higher Education Football Championships took place in Croke Park on January 12th.

The Trinity Seniors will have home advantage in their first round clash against Athlone IT with a provisional date of Thursday 17th of February, subject to change due to Trinity’s involvement in the

Camogie intervarsities on the following weekend.

The winners of this tie will advance to face the winners of Queen’s University Belfast vs. University College Dublin in the quarter finals while the defeated side will take part in Lynch Shield against the loser of the same fixture.

The Trinity Inter Ladies will take part in the Lagan Cup, making their competition debut.

Lynch Cup: Fixtures take place on 17th February

Lagan Cup (Blitz 3rd March) Dublin Group 2:

CIT V DIT DCU V DKIT Ulster Uni V Jordanstown Carlow IT V NUI Galway Queen’s V UCD TCD V Athlone IT

Trinity College Dublin St. Pat’s Dublin Institute of Tech.

Marino College

28 sports scolarships awarded Emma Barron Staff Writer

On December 17th, nearing the end of the Michaelmas term, 28 of Trinity College’s finest sportsmen and

women were awarded sports scholarships at the infamous Pavilion bar.

These 28 students were carefully selected from the hundreds of high-qulity athletes who applied. Sports scholarships are awarded to

Rowing

Rugby

Sarah Dalton, JS Mechanical Engineering Susannah Cass, PhD Botany Luke Acheson, SF Business Studies Iseult Finn, JS Medicine Patrick Jacques, SF European Studies

Camogie

excellence. They’re the players that never miss a training session in favour of a drinking session in the Pav. They represent their club, county and even country in their respective sports.

The high esteem of the

Kayaking

Scott LaValla, SS Philosophy & Political Science Dominic Gallagher, SF Philosophy & English

Hurling Daniel Sutcliffe, JF BESS

Athletics

Cathriona Foley, PhD Biochemistry & Cell Immunology

Pentathlon

the cream of the crop from Junior Freshmen to PhD students across all sports.

These students are at the top of their game. They maintain a high standard of academics while retaining the highest standard of sporting

Hockey

Tom Brennan, JF Medicine

Gaelic Football Francis Boyle, PhD Education Therese McCafferty, SS Pharmacy Keiran Nolan, Msc Sports and Exercise Medicine

Soccer

Liam Tremble, SF Science Bryony Treston, SS Medicine Becky Woods, SS Clinical Speech & Language Therapy

sport scholarship is the result of the services offered to sports scholars. They receive funding and have access to physiotherapy, performance analysis and training, sports psychology, health & nutrition advice and much more.

Neal Megarity, JF Primary Teaching Cian Speers, SF Philosophy & Political Science Hayley O’Donnell, JS Law Alice Ward, JF Law

Squash Sarah O’Connor, JS Pharmacy

Niall O’Carroll, SS Civil Engineering Conall O’Shaughnessy, JF History & English Literature Frank Wilson, SF BESS

Natalya Coyle, SF BESS

Jack Hogan’s Premier League Miscellany Jack Hogan Armchair Footballer Any calls for a winter break in the Premier League should be royally quashed after what has been the most exciting festive period in many years. We have seen the demise and replacement of two managers, seven delicously-dropped points from Chelsea and, just when you thought that the highlight of the transfer window was Lou Macari moving from Setanta to ESPN, City fork over an inexcusable £27 million for Edin Dzeko. Eventful to say the least.

However, perhaps the main talking point over the last few weeks has been the return of the talismanic

Kenny Dalglish to Anfield.

Although supposedly acting as interim manager until the end of the season, retaining the services of King Kenny for the long-haul will no doubt be top of the list of priorities at the Liverpool boardroom. While Roy Hodgson had his moments, his inability to win over the fans, compounded by the signing of the useless Poulsen and Konchesky, ultimately cost him his job.

While the appointment of the King will no doubt lift the squad, let’s not get carried away with ourselves.

Such is the frailty of the Reds this season that a tophalf finish would be deemed a success for Dalglish.

In contrast, one of the

teams punching way above their weight this season is Sunderland. A top seven finish and a place in Europe is not out of the question for the Black Cats as Steve Bruce continues to prove his worth. However, they will face a challenging runin having sold goal-machine striker Darren Bent to Villa, who are seriously struggling for some consistent form at the moment. However, with only six points separating 12th place from the bottom, the relegation battle is too close to call. That said, with desperately weak squads and painfully average managers, surely it is West Ham and Wigan who have the most to worry about in the coming months.

The top half is just as close with Arsenal pushing United and City in what will be a tense title run-in. United’s games-in-hand will prove vaulable as they try to create some breathing space between themselves and their Manchester rivals who are finally looking like a team rather than a group of individual stars. Yaya Toure and David Silva in particular have been justifying their outrageous price-tags.

The return of Frank Lampard from injury will provide some relief for Chelsea but you just can’t see them coming back and retaining the title this year after their winter self-destruction. Drogba especially has looked out of sorts with only

8 leagues goals so far compared to the 29 of last season. Across town at Tottenham, things seem to be shaping up nicely for a second consecutive top-four finish but, like Chelsea, the title may be just out of their reach. The arrival of Steven Pienaar from Everton means that Harry Redknapp will be weighed down with tricky wingers for the rest of the season with the likes of Bale and Lennon in good form.

The coming weeks’ action should give us a clearer picture of how the season will pan out as the title race intensifies, the relegation battle comes to a fore and the men are separated from the boys.

15

The University Times | Tuesday, January 25th 2011

TIMESSPORTS TRINITY NEWS WIN 3-2 DRAW Matthew Rye Deputy Sports Editor In the most anticipated Trinity-exclusive inter-publication sporting contest of the year, the University Times squared off against the Trinity News in Botany Bay Arena last Thursday. Both teams came into the charitable fixture with a lack of fitness, as well as basic footballing skills. The UT Galacticos captain Tom Lowe assured supporters that his side would not lack competitive edge, regardless of the match’s good nature.

It was obvious from the opening kick-off that both sets of players would trouble adapting to the slippery astro surface, the five-a-side limit, and the self-refereeing disciplinary system. The opening exchanges involve much finding-of-feet and physical contact, with both teams determined to make their mark on the game.

Trinity News dominated

early proceedings, as their positional play afforded them good opportunities.

Only some good shot-stopping by UT goalkeeper Kevin Shannon kept the scores level.

While UT tended to control possession for long periods, Trinity News used a quick effective counter-attack to create scoring opportunities. Evan Musgrave opened the TN account with a well-placed strike, following some good link up play from Cal Grey. Musgrave overcame the challenge of Jamie Wright to slide the ball under Shannon in goal.

Some supporters claimed the celebrations of the goal were over-zealous and unsporting, but no sanctions were made against Musgrave.

Lowe attempted to rally the players before the half-time whistle, encouraging them to keep communication strong between the defense and attack. This proved helpful, as the UT

finished the second half on top, after some skillful attacking football from both Rory O’Donovan and Alex Sloan. However, good defensive organisation and tackling on TN’s behalf meant that the Galacticos entered the break one goal down.

When asked what needed to be done to rectify the situation, UT midfielder Jack Leahy commented that the Galacticos best chance of winning the game, was to score goals. “It would also help,” Leahy said, “to concede fewer goals than we score, thus putting us in a good position scoreboardwise.”

Lowe seemed adamant to change tactics following the break. He brought Max McQuillan and Josh Plunkett into the attack in an attempt to create problems for the News. Things didn’t improve for UT as they came under increasing pressure due to swift counter-attacking by TN. Only excellent goalkeeping by Shannon

kept the score at 1-0. Lowe then brought forward the renowned box-to-box abilities of Manus Cronin to add extra pace and flair to the UT attack. However, after only a short stint on the field, Cronin requested to return to the bench to dry-heave.

The superior fitness of the Galacticos seemed to show as the game continued. UT controlled more of the possession and territory, with Rory O’Donovan at the heart of many of their best chances. Plunkett managed to capitalize on one of these chances halfway through the second half.

After some good defending by Fionn Fitzpatrick, O’Donovan slipped the ball between two TN defenders to put Plunkett through on goal. The Galactico striker finished superbly, feinting left before slotting the ball home.

Plunkett doubled his tally shortly after, when some statuesque TN defending led to a two-on-one attack

Matthew Rye (left) and Jack Leahy (pink and white socks) battle bravely for possession. Photo: Dargan Crowley-Long by the Galacticos. The UT man finished well again, with a vicious shot from close range to put the University Times ahead.

The Galacticos were caught napping shortly afterward though, as a loose ball in the box was pounced on by Daniel O’Callaghan.

The TN frontman poked the ball home under flailing goalkeeper Shannon to equalise, with 5 minutes remaining. It did, however get worse for the University Times. Two minutes from time, O’Callaghan fended off the challenge of Duncan Moss, rounded Shannon in

goal and fired home to give TN the bragging rights for the year.

Tom Lowe extended his congratulations to the Trinity News on a splendid performance, but reminded his competitors that he believed The University Times to be a superior publication.

Jack Leahy admitted after the game that his tactics were one-dimensional. “We didn’t score enough goals to compensate for the amount we conceded.” Leahy also quashed the recent allegations of steroid use as “sensationalist nonsense”.

Trinity defeat A rough guide to Shinty in Trinity Edinburgh in annual Shinty contest Emma Barron Staff Writer

Emma Barron Staff Writer Last Saturday morning, the brave souls of Trinity College’s Camogie and Hurling teams braved the Arctic-like temperatures of Dublin to do what they do best: play ball. Except unlike any other Saturday morning match, their opponents had travelled from overseas without a hurl between them. Yep, you guessed it; it was time for the annual inter-varsity Shinty-HurlingCamogie games. This year, Trinity’s capable competition came from the University of Edinburgh, a group of students well used to frosty conditions and frozen playing fields.

At 2pm, the Trinity Camogie team assembled giddily alongside the Edinburgh Shinty ladies, each side puzzled by the other’s national sport. The Camogie players stared at the Camans of the Scots, while Shinty players marveled at the size of the playing pitch. With numbers low, two brave hurlers, John Byrne and Martin Phelan, stepped forth to take the goalkeeping positions. Cathriona Foley of Trinity and Vicki Henderson, captain of Edinburgh, got the game going with the clash ball.

Edinburgh appeared to take an early control of the game as Trinity struggled to adjust to the new rules.

However, following a shaky few minutes, Trinity found their groove with well-taken points from Aine Murphy and Roisin O’Grady.

With the momentum firmly

Trinity’s, Cathriona Foley rounded Lucy Rushton and Maggie Sloan of Edinburgh to take a high shot between the posts to secure Trinity’s first score.

Immediately following the goal, Edinburgh launched a counter-attack in the form of quick ground passes between Anna Sadler and Elaine Tully. However, the Trinity defense proved strong with Anne Cleary knocking the ball to safety in the half forward line where Hannah Larmon collected, taking a shot at the posts only to be beaten by the wind.

Despite the fast pace of the game, both sides continued to struggle with the composite rules. Jackie Elebert fell foul to the ‘no kicking the sliotar’ rule resulting in having two goals disallowed before Emma Barron scored a point to put Trinity into safety before half-time.

The second half began with enthusiasm from both teams, perhaps fueled by the knowledge of free food after the game. Edinburgh’s Emma Duncan took on her marker Shonagh Dowd in an attempt to get to Edinburgh’s first score but Dowd proved too strong, clearing the ball up field to Caoilinn Ni Neill. Ní Neill battled with marker Jess Orr, eventually winning the ball and striking a flying sliotar towards stand-in keeper Martin Phelan, who managed to save well from an awkward shot.

With the score line remaining a low 0:2-0:0 to Trinity, both teams pushed on to get that coveted goal.

For Trinity, this goal came following a wonderful pass from Ciara Kelly in fullback to Foley, who landed the sliotar at Jackie Elebert’s feet, allowing her to smash the ball into the back of the net. Moments later, Hannah Larmon added a deserved second as the game swung in Trinity’s favour late on.

With just ten minutes remaining, referee Gearoid Devitt called on all players to switch sticks with their opposing player. Words cannot describe the massacre of the playing field which then followed as the Camogie players struggled to control the ball on the Caman’s thin head while the Scots failed to master the shortness of the hurl. However, Foley mastered the Caman from early on, sending plenty of ball into the full-forward line, much to the dismay of the full forwards.

It soon emerged that Edinburgh had secret weapons in the form of two native Camogie players on their team, albeit rusty players.

Anna Sadler of Edinburgh shocked all when she roll lifted the ball and soloed towards the half forward line. As she played a swooping pass in towards the goal, Trinity were in trouble. Irish-girl-abroad Niamh Donnelly tapped the ball past the Trinity keeper into the goal mouth amid cheers and laughter from both sides. The game ended Trinity 2:2 - 0:1 Edinburgh but it’s safe to say both teams represented their respective colleges wonderfully.

Sports Centre launch New Year initiative

Eamonn Carroll Staff Writer

In the immediate aftermath of the Christmas feeding frenzy, what better way to get back on track than some serious exercise at the gym? Fortunately, this serious exercise can be a bit of a laugh and a workout. Enter the Get Started, Get Active Programme, the Sports Centre’s New Year initiative that aims to get everyone involved in some of exercise.

They are providing a number of free Taster Classes in everything from ‘Irish Dancercise’ to ‘Complete

Core’. Go along, meet new people, make new friends, run yourself ragged for an hour and scare your new friends away with your blotchy, sweaty visage, heavy breathing and distinctly bestial odour. Oh, the joys of an active life.

For those with no interest in organised group exercise, the well-equipped gym is open every day, as is the pool. If you see yourself as too free a spirit to be contained in your workout, the Fitness Trail around the College Park area is ideal for running, jogging and walking having been closed in

December due to some attrocious and wholly unsporting weather conditions.

If your commute involves cycling, jogging, running or any form of physical exercise then hurry for the Sports Centre en route; nonmembers can avail of the shower and changing rooms every morning until 9.

There is no excuse: get up, get started and get active now! Just make sure not to hurt yourself, gyms report a lot of injuries in the New Year’s resolution season as people overestimate themselves!

This hybrid sport between Trinity and Scottish universities first began in 1962. However, games between Ireland and Scotland date way back to 1896, with the first game taking place between London Scottish and London GAA. The games occurred annually, alternating location each year. With the arrival of the 1920’s, controversy arose as the British government became unhappy with Scotland’s co-operation with the

GAA disapproving of their perceived anti-British viewpoint and the international series was put on hiatus.

Nonetheless, universities such as Trinity College and Edinburgh kept the ShintyHurling competition going until the 1970’s when the international series was re-introduced. So, here we are in 2011, keeping the tradition alive, despite the freezing weather.

I was immediately struck by how similar Shinty and Hurling are. Save for a slight difference in stick, team size and a few rules, one could

easily place a Shinty player in a Kilkenny jersey and swear he was from Ballyhale. In fact, some of the Edinburgh team hail from Kingussie Shinty club, Scotland’s equivalent of Kilkenny. Shinty-Hurling is the only sport in the world without any dedicated clubs or leagues. So, for the students that took part in the inter-varsity challenge it was quite an opportunity. The Shinty-Hurling games use compromised rules in order to give both sides an equal shot of victory.

GAA players use hurls

while Shinty players use a stick called a ‘caman’ with is similar to a hurl, with a thinner and thicker bos.

Shinty players usually are not allowed to handle the ball so hurlers are subject to the same rule with the exception of the goalkeeper. It is also forbidden to kick the ball.

The GAA points system remains intact; goals are 3 points and scores over the goal crossbar are worth 1 point. A stationary ball taken straight from the ground is worth 2 points.

Shinty matches last 90

minutes but this is reduced to the usual 70 minutes of a normal GAA match.

While it is mandatory for Hurling/Camogie players to wear protective helmets, Shinty players are not required to.

Though the playing balls of the two games are strikingly similar (leather & cork ball), a sliotar is used for one half and a Shinty ball used in the other.

And last but not least, each side has 11 Players.

Interview: Hollie Avil, triathlete Twenty-year-old triathlete Hollie Avil is one of Great Britain’s shining lights heading into the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games having won the 2009 U23 World Championship TrIathlon She told sports editor Jack Leahy why patience is a virtue, what she would be doing if she wasn’t training for the Olympics and of the effect that 2012 will have on London How did you get into triathlon?

It was my Dad who suggested it! I’d been swimming competitively for five years and was looking for a new challenge. I also competed at running for my school, and loved it. All I had to do was add in the bike!

2007 looks to me like it was your big break [victory in the ITU Junior Triathlon World Championships, ETU Junior Triathlon European Championships, Corus Elite Series and British Elite Women’s National Sprint Triathlon, and the Cross Country Championships across three age groups] how did you get to such a high standard at the age of only 17?

I’ve always said that age is only a number. I just worked extremely hard. It took a lot of dedication, determination and organisation to achieve what I achieved because I was still at school. I also put a lot down to my old coach, Ben Bright, who turned me into a triathlete after being a swimmer for so long.

That said, it just got better and better (French Grand Prix Champion 2008, World U23 Champion, and an impressive number of top 3 finishes)- how on earth do you manage such consistency?

Patience was a key factor believe it or not. As I achieved more, I wanted to do more, but my coach kept the reins on me. Patience really is a virtue. If I did too much too young, I could have broken down.

It’s all about the long term picture.

Just how much training and how strict a diet do you have to follow to chase your Olympic dream?

I average around 24 hours a week training. It’s not the time you put in though, it’s what you put into the time. Our diets don’t have to be strict as we need a lot of calories! But it’s important to make sure we are getting the right nutrients in, so it is a well balanced one. Protein, for example, is so important for recovery and muscle repair!

How do you manage your College schedule along with an Olympic training schedule?

I’ve currently deferred my degree in Management Sciences. When I was training full time and studying full time, it took a lot of organisation and forward planning to fit everything in. I managed to do it, but it was extremely stressful. In order to focus fully on 2012, I decided the best thing to do was to put my degree on hold. I also didn’t want to end up with a half hearted degree result.

Do you think you can improve greatly in a specific discipline of the event or do you feel well-rounded?

There’s always something I can improve, which makes each training phase exciting.

How intense has your training become in the 18-month run-up to the Olympics?

What are the key changes as the event gets closer? I have changed training location and coaches recently. I am now based in Leeds. So my training up to 2012 will be different to what I’m used to, which is exciting! That has been the major change, though I’m sure I will be tweaking my training over the next 18 months.

Can you tell us a bit more about qualification and the competition you are up against in the other UK athletes and what races you need to complete to get a place in the team of 3?

We have so many fantastic GB triathletes that the qualification for 2012 will be tough. There were only 2 places available in Beijing but because we have greater strength in depth now, there will be 3 places up for grabs in London. We have a selection policy, with podium performances at Hyde Park WCS and the Beijing WCS Grand Final earning you selection in 2011, allowing you the winter to prepare for London. All I’ve got to focus on is training hard and racing the best I can.

What are your personal goals for the Olympics?

The first goal is to qualify! The ultimate goal is to get on that podium and grab that Gold medal for GB. It’s a once in a life time chance to race at a home Olympic Games, so I want to do everything I can to make GB proud.

How do you think the preparations are coming along for the 2012 Games?

It all looks fantastic so far! It’s going to be pretty amazing when it’s all finished. This year will be the first year we will race on the proposed Olympic course in Hyde Park, meaning we will cycle down to Buckingham Palace and also run around the Serpentine.

The Olympics are certainly more than just a fortnight of competition, and the organising committee have talked a lot about a ‘legacy’ how can this event change London for the longterm?

Not only will it change London, it will change the whole of the UK. I think the Olympics will raise a big awareness around sport, health and well being.

It will also open up several opportunities for people wanting to get involved in sport. I think it will make our nation an overall healthier nation.

What would you be doing if you weren’t an Olympic-in training?

I think I’d still be involved with the Olympics somehow. Perhaps working with some of the school projects and helping children get involved with the Olympic spirit.

Is there anything you feel you miss due to the amount of training etc?

Not one thing.

Tuesday, January 25th 2011 | The University Times

16

TIMESSPORTS

utsports

Inside

Interview: Hollie Avil

Success for Trinity tennis in floodlit finals Jack McHugh Staff Writer Monday night was party to one of the most exceptional league campaigns in the history of Trinity Tennis. DULTC had three Mens teams competing in the Dublin Leagues. All teams reached the finals. A bit of perspective: there were roughly forty teams in each division, and each Trinity team qualified undefeated to the finals.

The Men’s first team, having defeated UCD’s firsts team earlier in the campaign to secure promotion (and bragging rights), were up first. Monkstown were to provide strong opposition, with former Irish champion Scott Barron spearheading what was a very strong team. Cal Craven stormed to a 6-3 6-3 win with some fierce groundstrokes leaving his opponent floundering against the floodlights.

Club coach Mark Carpenter and Gavin Gilhawley were next up against Barron and O’Shea, Monkstown’s finest and most experienced players. Some stunning shotmaking ensued as the crowd were given a display to remember in doubles tennis, but Monkstown were to come through in a tight two-setter despite the best efforts of the Trinity doubles pairing.

This left the score poised at one match apiece with just Chris Ma to complete his singles. Ma took the first set in dominating fashion, with a cannon of a serve regularly topping the 120mph mark. Alas, disaster struck in the second set when Ma injured his calf muscle. Although he battled on bravely it wasn’t to be as Monkstown came out winners in a well contested match.

There was more success for the 2nd team, playing a solid Shankill 1 outfit.

Promising junior freshman Stephen Ludgate stormed to a 6-1 6-3 victory, issuing a rallying cry to his team mates heard all across Ranelagh and beyond. PhD student Martin Bachwerk had a tough battle on his hands and did well to take the match to three sets. A nail-biting tie-breaker ensued with Shankill eventually taking a 9-7 victory despite some brilliant defensive play from Bachwerk.

The attention of the Trinity support was quick to switch to the decisive doubles contest. Much to the chagrin of the visibly nervous supporters, BESS students Ian O’Connell and Ross Pender were also locked in a third set showdown. Some super volleys from Pender put Trinity ahead in the latter stages of the epic struggle and team

captain O’ Connell cooly served out the match under intense pressure.

This left the Men’s third team to round up proceedings. Certainly among the strongest teams ever to grace Class 5, the team were aiming for the much feted ‘Golden Campaign’, having not lost a single match on their path to the final and looking like a title-winning team throughout. And so it came to pass, with another typically strong performance on the night. Former club captain Andrew Stevenson teamed up with Canadian import Peter Wu for a quick win in the doubles to take a quick victory.

Next up, Paddy Kilcoyne’s physical prowess was the deciding factor as he overpowered his opponent in a tight two-setter. Team Captain Justin Hintze was well on his way to victory at this stage but was able to retire to the clubhouse with his team-mates for suitable refreshments with the contest sewn up.

On Tuesday night, Trinity’s Ladies team travelled to Sandycove Lawn Tennis Club for their final encounter, having managed to battle their way out of some difficult qualifying matches. Rachel Thompson was in the zone on the night, marching to a quick 6-1 6-3 in commanding

Paddy Kilcoyne serves up against the floodlights in Botany Bay during last Monday’s finals encounters. Photo: Jack McHugh fashion. With Ladies Captain Gráinne Ó’Halloran and partner Sarah Brooks still on court, Social Secretary Aimée Ó’Hanlon took strength from the crowd to win 7-5 6-1 and secure the

match for Trinity before her team-mates had even completed their games.

These results wrap up a very successful term for DULTC, having turned in impressive performances

at Roland Garros and in the ECTA European Universities finals over the past few months. A very proud Coach Carpenter commented, ‘The results should give DULTC momentum going

into a crucial phase of the season. With Intervarsities approaching the lads have a realistic chance of ending DCU’s hegemony in University tennis’. With much more tennis to come as the

summer months approach, these victories will give Trinity every reason to believe that they can be challenging for honours at the business end of the College year.

Guinness defeat Trinity in scrappy Santry encounter Trinity 13

Guinness 17 Santry Sports Ground Matthew Rye Deputy Sports Editor Trinity lacked momentum going into to this league match against the Guinness Rugby club, having lost their previous two fixtures. The rustiness showed

itself in the first five minutes, with Guinness using their aggressive forward pack to dominate the opening possession and territory. However, due to backline handling errors, they were unable to capitalise on good opportunities.

After weathering the initial storm, the Trinity backline began to dominate proceedings. Fly-half Ibrahim Bouihouj landed a penalty after good running from fullback Liam Townsend

was met with an illegal high tackle by the Guinness defence. Guinness’ lack of discipline continued, as referee Michael Nulty blew persistently for offside and infringements at the breakdown.

However Guinness kept the possession tight with the forwards for long periods. Strong running by the Guinness back row resulted number eight, David Lennon, crashing over from five yards. Inside centre Craig

Courtney converted to give Guinness a four point lead.

Penalties continued to plague Guinness, as Bouihouj landed a tough kick from the touchline following a series of good continuity from the Trinity pack resulted in another breakdown infringement.

Trinity had the better of the play through the first half, but indecisiveness coupled with handling errors left them trailing 7-6 at the break. Trinity

managed to improve very early in the second half, as timely counter-rucking by the back row allowed outhalf Bouihouj to evade several tacklers and canter under the posts. Bourahj added the extras for a 13-7 lead.

Things got steadily worse for Guinness, as their captain Eddie Jacobs was sinbinned after Mr Nulty grew tired of the persistent fouling at ruck time. They persevered however,with aggressive play from the forwards

AIL: Poor form continues for Trinity Jack Leahy Sports Editor Trinity’s Senior rugby team will want to forget the New Year fixture period quickly after defeats to Corinthians and Terenure College left them languishing in 11th place in the sixteenside AIL Division 2.

Full-back James O’ Donoghue missed a conversion with the final kick of the game in the 10-8 home

defeat to Connacht Senior Cup Champions Corinthians after Mick McLoughlin had touched down in the corner late on. The westerners were a comfortable 10-0 up at the break before a spirited but rusty effort from the home side saw them drag their way back into contention.

Trinity battled hard but Corinthians retained the ball well to deny the hoe side good ball before O’

Donoghue dropped his lastditch effort agonisingly wide just before the final whistle blew.

On the previous weekend, Trinity made the short trip to Terenure to take on Terenure College. Both sides failed to reproduce their best in an error-strewn performance, but it was the home side who took their chances in a 17-5 victory. Both scores came from Trinity errors: the first came from a powerful

5-metre scrum after the Trinity pack were forced to touch down behind their own line, with the second coming after a knock-on allowed the Terenure scrumhalf to run over unopposed.

Ciaran Wade’s well-worked tr y was the main highlight for Trinity, finishing well after full-back O’ Donoghue broke through the opposition defence.

With the side in action for five consecutive weekends,

resulting in a successful penalty attempt from Courtney.

The Trinity defense began to grow weary due to consistent play by the Guinness backline. Courtney had a try recalled after a questionable pass was given forward by Mr Nulty. From the resulting scrum, bad communication on Trinity’s behalf allowed Guinness scrumhalf Brendan O’Hagan to capitalize on a loose ball and scramble over the line.

Courtney converted to give Guinness a 17-13 lead.

Trinity threatened relentlessly from the restart, with captain Scott McGeraghty and blindside flanker Cian Flanagan leading well from the front. Strong running from fullback Townsend created opportunities for Trinity, but handling errors from several players meant they couldn’t fully capitalize. Through the remainder of the match, Trinity remained camped in the

Guinness half for long periods. However continuous errors from the backline, coupled with resolute Guinness defending, meant the visitors finished the scrappy encounter on top.

Trinity will need to rectify their handling mistakes and discipline if they want to stand a chance offiguring prominently in the remainder of the campaign, with sides of all standards struggling in recent fixtures.

Joyce backs cricket scholarship - Jack Leahy

they will have to find their form promptly lest relegation to Division 3 become a distinct danger.

In other news, the J1 team contiued their good form with a 16-13 over Old Wesley to avenge a defeat against the same opposition earlier in the season. They move up to third place in a competitive league, with some sides having played a game more than The Students.

Student completes ‘marathon swim’ David Cullinan Staff Writer 20km is no trouble for a ferry, but for a single man it’s be quite a task. A task for no better a man and no better a cause than Ryan Bartlett, captain of the Swimming & Water Polo club, during RAG Week 2011.

Ryan completed this herculean challenge on Friday January 21st in the Trinity Pool, swimming the breadth of the Irish Sea. He was, unsurprisingly, a little nervous that morning, struggling to concentrate

during his morning lectures “with the possibility of death looming over [him]”.

Having had lunch, Ryan headed down to the pool, preparing himself for the daunting task which lay ahead and began at 12:45pm.

The first 500m took its toll on Ryan, having captained the Trinity Water Polo team that Thursday night, but he soon settled into a comfortable rhythm and the next 10km or 2 and a half hours passed without complication, giving him great optimism as he passed the

half-way mark.

Things did not go as well for the second half of the challenge, however.

At around the 12km mark, Ryan began to feel the friction burn that had been building up from his continuous arm rotation rubbing on the right side of his torso. At 13km, his pace slowed considerably. He removed his goggles at 14km to relieve the pressure around his eyes. This is where the food craving began to kick in.

“I spent the 15th kilometre struggling, resorting

to backstroke for several lengths whilst considering giving up…I struggled to tell the difference between the deep and shallow ends of the pool” Ryan retired to his locker in search of sustenance, before his perseverance ultimately convinced him to return to the pool.

He credits the thought of food on its way for his ability to break through ‘the wall’ upon his return to water and the sight of two of his friends at 17km inspired a return to the pace of the first 10km.

Upon the insistence of his

friends, Ryan put the goggles back on, due to the colour his eyes had turned and began ploughing through the last 2 kilometres.

Ryan mnaged to produce a finish of which many a professional distance swimmer would be proud. Added to the fact that this sprint, short-distance swimmer only began training a mere 11 days ago for this monumental 800-length swim!

Ryan has so far raised €76.99 from this 318 hour ordeal.

Photo: Ger Siggins Dublin University Cricket Club recently announced the introduction of a scholarship scheme, available to students progressing to Trinity from the Leaving Certificate system in 2011.

With new fees set to be introduced at third level, the club are hoping that the ‘generous’ scholarship scheme of undisclosed value will be attractive to young cricketers and their families.

“We are keen to

re-establish Trinity as a centre for excellence for Irish cricket”, said Conor Hoey, the former Ireland leg-spinner who is on the club’s development committee. “We hope the scholarship scheme will help young cricketers in their decision where to study when the CAO applications are being made.”

As the only third-level institution in Leinster playing league cricket, Trinity has always been a popular choice for

ambitious players, with the likes of Irish international brothers Ed and Dominick Joyce playing for the club in the last decade.

‘I greatly enjoyed my time in Trinity”, Ireland and Sussex star Ed Joyce said this week. “I would encourage any youngster to play there – there are few finer grounds to play at than College Park.

No matter what you do in cricket afterwards, you’ll never forget those days”.