Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The University Times Irish Student Newspaper of the Year
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You should have gone to UCD Jack Cantillon on why Trinity doesn’t compare
FEATURES P6
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The First Independent President?
THE TRINITYTEN Trinity’s most influential students ranked and profiled
Mary Davis makes her case
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Magazine
OPINION P13
55,000 students and staff in huge data leak » Email adresses, home addresses, student numbers, course details and job titles all included in the spreadsheet. » File was available between August 2009 until March 2011; College were made aware of the breach on March 30.
Ronan Costello Editor A DATA breach on the college network has resulted in a student inadvertently downloading a spreadsheet with 56,478 names of students and staff as well as private information for each entry. The student, who will remain anonymous, said, “I was looking to fi nd contact details for one of my TA’s, but couldn’t remember their full name and only had there email address. Thus, I typed their email address in Google and got only one result, an excel fi le, which was 10.7 MB titled ‘tcdfpatron1.csv’.” The student then downloaded the fi le, assuming that its relevance in the google search might lead to the TA’s contact details. What was found instead was private information for thousands of both current and former students and staff dating back to 2001. “For every single name there is a student/staff ID number, their full name, their home address, their course/department code, the date that they registered, their @tcd.ie email address and some contain a number of other codes after their name, but its not readily apparent what these stand for,” said the student. “Also, quite a few have brief descriptions of their role, such as ‘Visting Researcher’, ‘Associate Professor’, ‘Fellow’ or other such things, after their info. The addresses include visiting lecturers or staff from
Shanghai, the USA, UK, Germany, Japan, Greece, Sweden and students from all over the world, but most of them being Irish obviously.” The document was available to download on the college network for over a year. The breach was brought to the attention of students in an email sent by Librarian Robin Adams on April 29 in which he said that the fi le was available between August 2009 until March 2011. The error was discovered by college on March 30. In the email Mr Adams said, “Th is information was not accessible through the internet and the College has no reason to believe that your privacy was compromised.” “In line with Data Protection legislation the College has reported this incident to the Data Protection Commissioner. We regret that this incident has taken place and for any inconvenience this may have caused you. The College takes its obligation to protect your data very seriously, and we will continue to work diligently to protect your personal information.” However, the student who contacted The University Times speculated that other students were likely to have downloaded the fi le. “I would imagine that other people, most likely students, also have this fi le, although they (like me, for a while) may not realise that they have it. Potential uses for the data could be to access the exam results or other academic records of notable/interesting students
based on their student numbers, or use the email addresses of a huge amount of Trinity students, guests and Alumni for commercial, personal or other uses - similar for example to the infamous ‘Trinity Cat’ email that occurred towards the end of last year. Perhaps someone with a better knowledge of excel, or Trinity’s admin systems could think of other uses for the data.” Whether a student or staff member downloaded the fi le and then used it for any such purposes is unknown. SU President Ryan Bartlett said, “College is entrusted with the personal information of students and, as such, they are expected to ensure that that information is well protected. The most shocking part of this is how simple it seems to have been to breach the security of the database and download all this sensitive information. Th is is the largest breach in a series, after the ‘Trinity Cat’ email and most recently the ‘Conan’ staff entry on the English Department’s web page. Security must be increased if students and staff are to renew confidence in Trinity’s network.” The security of the college network has been a recurring issue in the past year and has received attention from the national media, with The Irish Times reporting on the recent posting of a ‘Conan the Barbarian’ page on the English Department’s staff directory. A spokesperson from ISS was not available to comment at the time of going to print.
BNP leader Nick Griffi n has been invited to speak at a debate on immigration by The College Philosophical Society.
Outrage at invitation to BNP leader Rónán Burtenshaw Deputy Editor THE LEADER of the British National Party (BNP), Nick Griffi n, has been invited to speak at Trinity College. The invitation was extended by The Philosophical Society, to a debate entitled “Th is House Believes Immigration Has Gone Too Far” on October 20. Nick Griffi n MEP has been chairman of the BNP, a far-right, nationalist political party, since 1999. The BNP formed in the early 1980s from a splinter group of the National Front, for
whom Griffi n had previously worked. The BNP had, until a successful legal challenge in 2010, restricted membership to “indigenous British” people, mirroring the “white-only” policy of its parent organisation. The BNP’s most prominent policies relate to race and immigration issues. They propose “fi rm but voluntary incentives for immigrants and their descendants to return home” and oppose many of Britain’s anti-discrimination laws. The party website contextualises support for these policies with the statement
that “the indigenous British people will become an ethnic minority in our own country well within sixty years”. The latest census information from 2009 shows that the number of ‘White British’ people living in England is 82.8%. Wales’ 2009 statistic was 93% while Scotland and Northern Ireland were at 95.5% and 99.2% respectively in 2001. Griffi n has regularly contested elections for the BNP and, in 2009, was elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for North West England. He stood unsuccessfully for election to
the House of Commons in 2010, fi nishing third in London’s Barking constituency. Following the election he announced that he would stand down as leader of the party by 2013. BNP had its most successful year electorally in 2009, with the party winning its fi rst council seats and adding Andrew Brons’ seat in the Yorkshire and the Humber constituency to Griffi n’s in the European Parliament. In the 2010 general election the BNP failed to win any seats, securing 1.9% of the vote. Th is was widely considered a disappointing
result for the party, on the back of their 2009 performance, but was nonetheless their best performance in a general election. The BNP describe themselves as “Britain’s fastest growing political party”, but have recently had to compete for influence on the far-right with the newly-prominent English Defence League (EDL). Nick Griffi n was convicted in 1998 of distributing material likely to incite racial hatred. He was acquitted in 2005 of a Continued on page 4
SF Science students repeat an average of 3.6 exams Niall Donnelly College Affairs Editor THE NUMBER of Senior Freshman (SF) Science students having to sit supplmental modules is significanty high, promting fears that poor exam scheduling is to blame. Figures illustrate the depth of the problem, 120 students had to resit science modules during the September repeats and that does not include the number of students who passed by compensation, choosing not to repeat failed moduels. The average number of modules a SF student had to resit was at a high of 3.6. These figures were brought to the attention of The University Times after a Katie Boyle SF Science Convenor highlighted her
concerns to SU Education Officer Rachel Barry. Boyle suggested that a hectic exam timetable was to blame for the high level of repeats. She explained that she had to sit fi fteen exams in the May exam period; three of them were practical and the remaining twelve were written exams. Six of the written exams were scheduled for the fi rst five days of the examination period. She further explained that students tended to select certain combinations of subjects but that these were more likely to be examined in quick sucession. For example, four Geology modules were scheduled for the start of the examination period but on top of this were core Biology modules that most students are expected
to sit. Th is could have been avoided by spacing these core modules throughout the examination period, giving students preparation time for each exam. To try and overcome the timetabling nightmare, students are trying to develop tactics to save time. Many try to spot patterns of exam questions, proritised in some subjects and modules, over others. Rachel Barry met with the Science Department’s Course Director, Prof Watson, to discuss the students concerns. Barry a n d Watson agreed that the high level of failure was a multi faceted issue. The figures could
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be due to a varity of reasons. She explained, “There is the obvious issue that there are some students who are simply not doing the required level of work”. Secondly, and more intriguing, it was suggested that, “Many students are not prepared by the leaving cert for the type of learning expected by college”. The SU has promised to look into this issue in the forthcoming months. Finally, the competitive nature of the moderatorship system was noted. Barry stated, “If a student wants to get a moderatorship in, say, Plant Sciences in JS year they tend to put more emphasis on their Biology modules, sometimes to
the neglect of other modules. They then get into a situation where they actually fail the other modules!” However Barry took issue with the problem of exam
period”. Although reaffi rming that it was not the only factor she suggested, “It is quite clear that the amount of exams being sat in one period (which can be high-
discussion and informed us that she has produced a comprehensive report on the current academic year structure which will be tabled at the Undergraduate
SU Education Officer Rachel Barry said, ’the sheer amount of exams being sat by science students, and the timetabling of those exams, results in an extremely tough annual examination period.”
timetabling, suggesting that it was being overlooked by the Science Department. She noted, “the sheer amount of exams being sat by science students, and the timetabling of those exams, results in an extremely tough annual examination
er than 10 in some departments) may have an effect on the mental health of students around the exam period and consequently their ability to pass all of their exams” She concluded that the matter merited further
Studies Committee and circulated throughout college. Clive Williams, Head of the Electioneering, Mathematics and Science Faulty, spoke to The University Times about the issue. He expressed his concerns over the increase of students
The University Times
Editor: Ronan Costello Deputy Editor: Rónán Burtenshaw Volume 3, Issue 1
failing science, explaining that there was a 5% increase in the failure rate from last year, from 33.5% to 38.5%. He highlighted that although the figures were a cause for concern, it was tricky to see trends in the data to conclude that students who had more stressful timetables failed more exams. Nevertheless he believed that having numerous exams clustered together was unfair. Williams had a meeting with the Science Course Committee last week to resolve the timetabling problem. The Committee agreed to have a closer look at the issue and would attempt to spread out the examinations for next year timetable.
Th is newspaper is produced with the fi nancial support of Trinity College Students’ Union. It is editorially independent and claims no special rights or privileges.
Tuesday, September 20 2011 | The University Times
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TIMESNEWS Contents
TIMESFEATURES
Jack Cantillon evaluates Trinity life and concludes that you should have gone to UCD Rory O’Donovan interviews comedy trio “A Betrayal fo Penguins” as they return from a sold out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
A week in the life of Trinity’s Twitterati Rob Farhat
Brian Lucey
Kate Palmer
@robfarhat
@brianmlucey
@ katkinspalmer
Currently the only person in the 24 hour computer room (now that @ oneilllt’s gone) doing the final prep for #TrinityFW11. Gonna be great.
McGuinness ..vote for me, I’m a reformed terrorist. And sure that was younks ago. I’m lovely now. Ask about proxy bombs @RTENewsAtOne
In the face of technical adversity, the first issue’s GONE TO PRINT! Cheers Mac-D’s Wi-Fi @Trinity_ News
We re-publish an Irish Times article by former features editor Caelainn Hogan on the liberation of South Sudan
TIMESOPINION
Presidential candidate Mary Davis outlines why she thinks she’s the best candidate for the Áras Our opinion writers look back on the Libya conflict and wonder what is in store for its citizens Rob Farhat reviews the state of Ireland’s finances in his economics column
TIMESSPORTS Emma Toby interviews DU Rugby Captain Dominic Gallagher Former rugby captain Scott LaValla secures a contract with French club Stade Francais In an Olympic year Ronan Richardson endeavours to try out Olympic sports, with amusing results
The University Times
Magazine
The Trinity Ten. Where we rank and profile Trinity’s most influential students Tommy Gavin experiecnces the strange sporting phenomena of Roller Derby Tom Lowe spent the summer in People magazine in NY and left with a decidedly jaded view of the gossip industry The Culture section features the best student writing on film, fashion and theatre
Credits EDITOR Ronan Costello DEPUTY EDITOR Rónán Burtenshaw NEWS EDITOR Leanna Byrne FEATURES EDITOR Rory O’Donovan OPINION EDITOR Hannah Cogan SPORTS EDITOR Jack Leahy DEPUTY NEWS EDITOR Ian Curran DEPUTY FEATURES EDITOR Tomás Sullivan DEPUTY OPINION EDITOR Max Sullivan DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR Matt Rye PHOTO EDITOR Apoorv Vyas Magazine Editor Tommy Gavin Magazine Deputy Editor Luke O’Connel CULTURE EDITOR David Doyle WEB EDITORS Peter Twomey & Fionn Fitzpatrick CREATIVE DIRECTOR Dargan Crowley-LOng WEB EDITORS Peter Twomey & Fionn Fitzpatrick
Darragh Genockey
Barra Roantree
Calvin Harris
@genockey
@barratree
@CalvinHarris
When the recession hit they should’ve changed the IFSC centre from Mayor Square to Mare Square.
@ronanlyons wealth taxes for all. Boo. Wealth taxes for none. Boo. Wealth taxes for some, miniature Irish flags for others. *applause*
The Academy went offff tonight! Thank you Dublin!! Crazy night!
USI President confident of success in the High Court in grant reform case Niall Donnelly College Affairs Editor UNION OF Students in Ireland (USI) President Gary Redmond is confident of a successful outcome in next months High Court battle with the Government. Speaking to the University Times, Redmond highlighted that USI had a strong case and that lawyers representing USI shared his confidence. However, he urged a degree of cautious optimism, noting that, “We are confident of a good outcome for USI, we have a strong case against extremely unfair cuts. However, with the High Court you can never be 100% sure of the outcome”. The news comes as the High Court set 7th October as the date for legal argument. The case is centred around the Government’s decision to cut current student’s maintenance grants. The cuts were proposed in the last budget and implemented this year, despite the current Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn, pledge to USI that this wouldn’t happen. The amount given to students via the maintenance grant is decided by two factors; family income and distance from the family home. To qualify for the maximum amount for the non-adjacent grant, aimed at students particularly in need of extra funding, the applicant had to attend an institution 24km from the family home. Now the Government have extended the qualifying distance to 45km. Redmond
claims that this will effect up to 25,000 current students, 18,000 traditional and 7,000 mature. Before these cuts students receiving the maximum allowance under the non-adjacent grant were entitled to a maximum of €6,100, it will now be slashed to around €2,445. In response, Redmond bluntly stated, “The changes will leave many students simply unable to return to college this month” The Government have justified these changes on the basis of improvements in public transport, suggesting that it is easier for students to commute to college. However, It would seem that is simply not the case. Redmond explained how the argument before the High Court is based on three cases involving three separate students. One student is currently a third year in NUI Galway and lives in Co. Clare. Her grant has been slashed to €2,000 and it simply will not cover the cost of travelling to college. Moreover, if she relied on public transport the earliest she could arrive in Galway is 11am, missing her 9am classes. USI’s lawyers will argue that this is an unacceptable change for current students, who had a legitimate expectation that their grants would be cut by so much. Many had budgeted to go to college in reliance of these grants and thus any drastic changes are unreasonable. The concept of legitimate expectation recognises that
USI President Gary Redmond, protesting outside the Custom House. Redmond is confident of victory in grant reform case. Photo: Ronan Costello if an individual relies and acts on an express promise or custom, they are entitled to continue to rely on it. Exceptions may be added to take account of changing circumstances but justifications must be compelling. As a result it is likely the Government will argue that the deepening economic crisis means that students must face cut backs. Redmond acknowledged the
Government had to scale back, but the drastic reduction to current students was unacceptable. He stated, “Students understood the country’s financial problems, and were willing to share the pain of general spending cuts – with grants cut by ten per cent across the board over the last two years – but that a cut of 60 per cent was “unprecedented, savage and unfair”. The policy
seems to be completely disjointed in light of recent reports. In January of this year the Hunt Report highlighted the importance of educating the population to fight a recession. However, the Government have seemingly ignored these findings, leaving students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds with no choice but to abandon their educational pursuits. Redmond expressed
his dismay, “The policy seems like a Red Herring, an arbitrary criteria imposed by the Government to allow them to save the maximum amount” If successful the reductions will not apply to current students who qualify for these maintenance grants. The date for legal argument in the High Court has been set for the 7th October.
Quinn rejects loan scheme and re-introduction of fees Niall Donnelly College Affairs Editor THE MINISTER for Education Ruairi Quinn has ruled out the possibility of re-introducing tuition fees to ease the funding crisis facing third level education institutions. The Department of Education Press Office told The University Times, “There are no plans to reintroduce third level fees” and “The Minister for Education, has not warned or signalled that third level fees are on the way back”. The declaration comes as Minister Quinn last month ruled out the possibility of introducing a student loan scheme to ease the funding crisis. Today, the Department again rejected the idea of a student loan system as the Minister, “does not believe that student loans are a practical way of funding third level”. He earlier explained that a loan scheme seemed like a good idea but that statistics showed that it does not work in practice. Citing
the fact that 25% of Australian students default on their loans, he suggested that a loan scheme was merely an incentive to emigrate. Many had feared that the rejection of a student loan system signalled the re-introduction of fees would be inevitable. In January of this year the Hunt report outlined that Higher Educational Institutions were in desperate need of extra financial assistance. Dr Colin Hunt said that the third level sector will need an extra €500 per year to maintain current standards. He envisioned the increased funding coming from a hybrid of a loan scheme and increased up-front fees. The Minister has now rejected both options. Nevertheless, the Department did not provide any clear reasons as to why upfront fees would not be introduced. It would seem that today’s rejection of re-introduction of fees should be greeted with caution. The news comes as the need to address the financial crisis facing
universities is becoming more apparent. The Hunt Report highlighted that excellence in education and an enlightened population were one of the main weapons available to Ireland in the fight against recession. Yet, last week Trinity College Dublin slipped 13 places in the QS World University Rankings, down from 52nd to 65th. Whatsmore, new Trinity Pro-
Minister does acknowledge that a sustainable method of funding third level must be found in order to meet the funding needs of our universities and colleges, in the face of rising enrolments and greater demands.” Apparently the Minister has asked the Higher Education Authority earlier this year to report back to him in the autumn on the options available to put
Quinn has rejected the re-introduction of fees despite ruling out the introduction of a loan scheme to shore up the shortfall in the third level education system
vost Patrick Prendergast is in support of re-introducing fees to address these problems. Thus today’s assurance that tuition fees will not be re-introduced are a little hard to trust. Indeed the Department went on to tell the Times, “However, the
third level on a sustainable footing. In an earlier interview with RTE News, the Minister was asked what he personally believed was the best solution to the problem of third level finance. He outlined that a general tax scheme would be his prefered measure. However,
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this is unlikely to be implemented as any taxation scheme, general or the so called “graduate tax”, would require a State financed package to kick start the measure and the first benefits of the system would only be evident in 20 years. The current economic climate in Ireland could not sustain such a system. As a result fees are looking like the only viable option and increasingly likely to be implemented. Reacting to the news, TCD Student Union President Ryan Bartlett acknowledged the Minister’s assurances and the need to find a solution to the financial crisis facing Universities. However, he stressed the importance that student voices are heard in the discussions. He stated, “Whether the minister’s promise is empty or not, we as students, families and any potential students can not ignore the fact that discussions about 3rd level are happening behind closed doors and we must take part in these discussions”
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The University Times | Tuesday, September 20 2011
TIMESNEWS The Enda an era: Taoiseach Kenny and former Provost, Dr John Hegarty
€130 million biomedical facility opened by Taoiseach
Karl McDonald Ciarán Nolan Online News Editor
@karlusss
Yo Wikileaks, evidence that the US government does or doesn’t administer AIDS, please.
Pictured at the opening of the new Biomedical Resarch Institute are (from left to right): TCD Dean of Research, Dr David Lloyd, the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, TD and former TCD Provost, Dr John Hegarty.
COLLEGES’ MOST ambitious building project to date, at the Pearse Street corridor was officially opended over the summer months. The centre, named “The Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute” , is a state of the art research facility, costing almost €131 million to build, €80 million of this was funded by government, whilst the remaning balance was funded by college itself. EU Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science Maire GeogheganQuinn and Taoiseach Enda Kenny officially opended the new centre. The centre is to boost job creation in Ireland and also put both Ireland and College in an international lead in the delivery of quality pharmeceutical and biotechnological programmes. Built around the areas of immunology, cancer and medical devices and linked directly to both medical education and industrial collaboration, the Institute will contribute to the improvement
New Provost takes office, beginning ten year term Leanna Byrne News Editor THIS YEAR Prof Patrick Pendergast takes his seat in the Provost’s Office as he welcomes back students for the new academic year. Pendergast, who was elected as the new Provost of Trinity College Dublin, will be the 44th provost of the college and took over from Dr John Hegarty’s ten year term on the August 1 this year. In accordance with current College Statutes, Provosts serve for a period of ten years without the possibility of re-election. Education and government sources believe that Prendergast’s performance in his new role will be crucial to helping Ireland’s economic recovery. The new Provost faces difficult challenges ahead in the wake of a struggling economic environment and education system. Recently Trinity College fell 13 places in the QS World University Rankings and was placed at 65, putting the college outside of its comfortable position in the top 50. There has also been concern recently that UCD has been closing the gap
between it and Trinity. Despite the obstacles Pendergast plans on reversing these trends with his “Vision for Trinity”. In a recent interview with The University Times Pendergast spoke the importance of communications, claiming that public criticism is paralysing the college and is not to be ignored. However, communication is vital to maintain globally, according to Pendergast as he has appointed a new VP for global engagements to broaden Trinity’s mission beyond the walls of the college and to engage with alumni, donors and multinational companies that would provide an advantageous relationships. Other areas in which Pendergast discussed were largely to do with administrative reform as he hopes to put in place a structure that supports delegation in departments and schools. A comprehensive redesign of administration will be established that would eliminate bureaucracy as much as possible. Some of the Provost’s most specific promises are found in the areas of education and research as he
wishes to protect “critical thinking, understanding research processes, forming and articulating and communicating independent judgements”. Pendergast promises to recruit 40 new Ussher Library posts in the next two years, to fight against the Employment Control Framework (ECF) that issued a cap on the education sector in January 2010, to ensure fair and equitable promotion procedures, to increase student mobility and to explore admissions criteria beyond the points based system. Furthermore Pendergast intends to strengthen and renew the critical role of tutorship, the Provost’s teaching awards and the mentorship scheme for lecturers. Although the majority of students have high hopes for reforms in this academic year there are some criticisms about the direction that Pendergast is taking for students. The newly elected Provost recently visited Melbourne to research the “Melbourne Model”, a controversial structure that lets students complete a three year undergraduate course with professional/
best in the world in immunology, neuroscience, microbiology and many other key fields. Building on this impressive foundation, the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute will drive 21st century scientific research for the benefit of improved healthcare.” Speaking to the University Times, Education Officer Rachel Barry spoke of its benefits for Undergraduate Students, “The opening of the Biomedical Centre can only be a good thing, especially for Medical Students, who for some time had no real academic home within college. These students will have the opportunity in their pre – clinical years to work alongside some of the best researchers and work in state of the art facilities, possibly influencing their future career choices. The centre also represents the role of Trinity in the community and will serve as a reminder to many city residents that Trinity is part of the Dublin community and is open to all.”
Provost to hold public interview »» To be asked questions by a panel of student representatives Leanna Byrne News Editor
Dr Patrick Prendergast, 44th Provost of Trinity College. vocational degrees. Even though Pendergast states that he believes four year degree programmes are distinctive to TCD students are still apprehensive that he may turn to the model that confines them to
postgraduate level. Another plan that is subject to critique from undergraduates would be his “research lead teaching” plan that is said not to focus as much on the quality of teaching, but heavily
Photo: Apoorv Vyas on research. In addition his emphasis on international student funding may leave prospective Irish students with more competition and less priority.
The main policies of Dr Prendergast, Provost 1. Campaign for the re-introduction of fees as a means of shoring up College finances and maintaining and improving standards throughout the college.
of the physical health of Irish society. The 11 storey building, housing near 700 researchers and academics, is not only a hub of pharmaceutical and scientific research but also contains commercial areas, social spaces and improved links from college to public transport links. Taoiseach, Enda Kenny welcomed the opening and spoke of the impressive contribution of college academics to improvements in healthcare, “This Institute will help sustain Ireland’s position as an international leader in biomedical research. I am highly impressed by the enormous contribution Trinity’s bioscience researchers have already made to the improvement of human health and I am certain that this Institute will be at the heart of further groundbreaking discoveries, with national and global impacts.”. Dean of Research, Dr David Lloyd said that the new centre will drive 21st century scientific research, “The University’s international rankings show its outputs are amongst the
2. Enhance Trinity’s reputation worldwide as a premiere university. Doing so by appointing Jane Ohlymeyer as a VP dedicated to global outreach.
3. To be a more media friendly Provost. Dr Prendergast wants to set the agenda in the third level debate and will engage with the media to have his voice heard.
NEWLY ELECTED Provost, Patrick Pendergast, is to hold a public interview with questions asked by a select group of students next month in a bid to make the relationship between the Provost’s Offive and students more transparent and “media friendly”. The interview will take place on the October 3 and is first in a series of Town Hall style meetings that SU Communications Officer Ronan Costello promised Trinity students this year. Eight students will be given the opportunity to question the Provost, with each student representing a different interest group within the college. Representatives from the Student’s Union, the Central Societies Committee (CSC), The University Times, The Phil and The Hist will be present to conduct the questioning. The panel of student representatives will be seated in the front row, facilitated by two roving microphones. In addition, Costello requested that the event be filmed by AVCOM media agency which will be organised by the College Communications office. The edited video will be posted on The University Times website within a week of filming. “This is, as far as I know, an unprecedented kind of event, indicative of the Provost being more willing to engage with the student body on his policies.” said Costello, who will be acting as a mediator between the Provost and the students during the interview. Education Officer Rachel Barry also voiced her enthusiasm stating that “the advantage of such a meeting is that it operates in a manner that allows any student,
regardless of involvement in a society, sports club, newspaper or the SU, to have their say on the issues that directly affect them.” However, in light of higher registration fees, education cuts and threats to introduce third level fees students will be putting pressure on the Provost to deliver. Student Union President Ryan Bartlett highlighted that the quality of teaching and services in the college would be an issue that he intended to address. “I have always advocated that investing in Student Services will bring massive returns in terms of attracting students and providing the perfect atmosphere to work and study, the most important question for me would be does he think it is time for Trinity to address this.” Barry told The University Times that she would “like the Provost to elaborate on how he would square the circle of introducing up front fees for education at the same time we see cuts to the grant of such a savage nature that USI have seen fit to resort to legal action.” Barry furthermore wishes to stress how vital it is that students retain full access to education “especially given the fact that, unlike in the last recession, most industries see a third level qualification as an essential means for advancing in work life as opposed to simply working your way up.” The public interview will take place Monday, October 3rd at 6:30 in the GMB and will be followed with a reception. All students are welcome to attend the meeting and are urged to take part as all of the issues presented affect all students of Trinity College.
Tuesday, September 20 2011 | The University Times
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TIMESNEWS Nick Griffin coming to the Phil: Reaction and Analysis
Phil criticised in wake of BNP Griffin’s invite
The Jewish Society canvass support for protest letter
Hello, The Jewish Society has been informed of (and confirmed) and invitation to the British National Party (BNP) to speak at a Phil debate in October. Due to the inflammatory and hateful nature of the BNP, the Jewish Society feels they are an innapropriate choice of speaker for a Trinity event. While the TCD J-Soc does not necessarily want to prevent the BNP from speaking in a debate, we would like to publicize our disapproval within Trinity’s campus. And we would like your help. We would like to write an open letter with other societies (and possibly staff) to send on to the college media outlets (as well as the Phil) voicing our disgust at the invitation of such a group. We were contacted by Trinity News while trying to confirm the invitation and would like to respond to their request for comment in the next couple of days if possible, preferably with your support. This email is being sent to societies that represent minorities on campus, groups that the BNP have decided must “remain minorities and ... not change nor seek to change the fundamental culture and identity of the indigenous peoples of the British Isles.” The BNP would have every international student, every student of color, and every Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu student (among others) treated as second-class citizens in our own university. Please respond if you would like to support this open letter initiative to tell Trinity that we will not support hate on our campus. (Please note we will send around this open letter before signing anyone’s name to anything.) Thank you, Ruthi Hymes Secretary Trinity College Dublin Jewish Society
Continued from front page separate charge for the same offence. He once described the Holocaust as a “Holohoax”, adding “I am well aware that the orthodox opinion is that six million Jews were gassed and cremated and turned into lampshades. Orthodox opinion also once held that the world is flat.” He also said on ITV’s Cook Report programme in 1997 that the death of Jewish people in Nazi gas chambers was “nonsense” and “a total lie”. Nick Griffin has also drawn criticism for his statements about gay people. Writing about the bombing of the Admiral Duncan, a gay pub in London’s Soho, by a former BNP member in 1999 he said, “The TV footage of dozens of ‘gay’ demonstrators flaunting their perversions in front of the world’s journalists showed just why so many ordinary people find these creatures so repulsive.” Former BNP Director of Publicity Mark Collett described gay people as “AIDS monkeys” and said that AIDS was “a friendly disease because blacks, drug users and gays have it.” He was suspended from the party in 2010 for threats against Nick Griffin unrelated to these comments. Griffin’s views on race
have regularly been labelled “racist” by British human rights groups. In relation to the idea of “black Britons” he said, “we affirm that nonWhites have no place here at all and will not rest until every last one has left our land.” The BNP has, however, traditionally included the Irish among its classification of the “indigenous British”. Speaking to the BBC in May of last year Mr. Griffin said, “We are certainly not going to shut the doors to the Irish, because the Irish, as far as we are concerned, are part of Britain and fully entitled to come here.” He has also suggested that the Republic of Ireland be invited to rejoin a union with Great Britain. Speaking to The University Times, BNP media spokesman Simon Darby said that the party did not want “British rule in Ireland” and that any union would be “like an emasculated form of the European Union, nothing more.” The news of his invitation to Trinity has been greeted with dismay by anti-racism organisations in Ireland. Garrett Mullan, co-ordinator of ‘Give Racism the Red Card’, said that it lends “credibility” to their ideas. “We are opposed to giving them a platform. They are a racist party with their roots in far-right fascism and they
have nothing to offer. This is a conflation of racism and immigration. It sets up immigration as a racist issue. The BNP use the immigration issue to target immigrants and stoke up racism. Immigration should be taken seriously and debated openly, not used as a platform for a racist party. Ireland will undoubtedly be more vulnerable to the BNP’s simple, racist ideas during the current economic crisis.” A Facebook page called “No Platform For Nazi Nick Griffin in Dublin” had received 525 likes at the time of writing. It published on its wall an open letter to The University Philosophical Society by a group called ‘Red Writers’ condemning the invitation of Griffin.“There’s plenty of people with important things to say whose perspectives we’re ignoring because we’re too busy focusing on the fringe lunatic, not least those for whom racism is a daily lived-reality rather than an opportunity for a publicity stunt”. Simon Darby, urged on his blog for the students of Dublin to “hold their nerve” against the “inevitable, liberal fascist onslaught against free speech” which would result from Mr. Griffin’s invitation. Speaking to The University Times Mr Darby said that 2007’s
Oxford Union debate was the only time that an invitation of this sort from a university had led to an actual debate. “It usually gets disrupted by liberal Islamofascists and the far-left,” he said, “but we are hopeful that this won’t be the case in Dublin.” He said that this disruption usually ranged from “under-the-counter” activism to “physical pressure”. This is not the first time a far-right leader’s invitation to Trinity has caused controversy. In 1988 British historian and convicted Holocaust denier David Irving was invited to speak by the University Philosophical Society. Trinity College security refused to cover the event and the chaotic scenes which followed Mr. Irving’s arrival in Trinity, when students stormed the building and barricaded doors, forced the speech to be moved to a nearby hotel. The University Philosophical Society have issued a statement saying, “The Phil is a neutral forum for discussion. We do not endorse the views of any of our speakers. Nick Griffin has been invited to speak solely on immigration. He is a prominent speaker on this issue. The debate will be balanced with two guest speakers on each side of the motion.”
BNP talk up links with Ireland ahead of Griffin visit »» “There is nothing I would like to see more than an Irish National Party representing the interests of the Irish people” - BNP spokesperson Simon Darby Rónán Burtenshaw Deputy Editor SIMON DARBY, the BNP’s media spokesman, spoke to The University Times about his party’s connections with Ireland ahead of Nick Griffin MEP’s visit to the College in October. Mr. Darby highlighted the “great deal of concern” he felt existed in Ireland at the moment over the issue of immigration. The number of recent radio interviews Nick Griffin had done with Irish broadcasters, he said, evidenced “the interest the Irish people have in the issue”. He was also keen to point out the “considerable amount of people of Irish extraction” who had voted for Nick Griffin in the recent European elections. Mr. Griffin MEP represents the North-West England constituency, which includes Manchester and Liverpool, two towns with long-standing connections to Ireland. Mr. Griffin finished fifth in 2009’s election, behind Britain’s three largest parties and a UKIP
candidate, polling 8% of the vote. The BNP have traditionally included the Irish among their classification of the “indigenous British”. In an interview with the BBC in May of 2010 Mr. Griffin said, “We are certainly not going to shut the doors to the Irish, because the Irish, as far as we are concerned, are part of Britain and fully entitled to come here.”
from the West Indies, we were met by boarding house signs reading ‘No Irish, No Blacks, No dogs’. The racism stirred up by Nick Griffin’s predecessors created a climate of fear with lasting damage to the physical and mental health of both communities. In today’s Britain, we recognise the contribution of generations of migrants to the diversity of our
“We don’t want British rule in Ireland. What we mean is a loose federation, a loose collection.” BNP spokesperson Simon Darby
This drew a rebuke from Jennie McShannon, chief executive of the Federation of Irish Societies in Britain. “We do not recognise the portrait of ‘White Britain’ painted by the British National Party,” she said. “When the Irish arrived in Britain in the 1950s alongside immigrants
shared culture. As Irish people we wish to be included and our Irishness celebrated, and so, too, we extend this support to other communities.” Mr. Darby was keen to clarify the BNP’s position on the ethnicity of the Irish, saying that they “did
not regard them as British as such.” He also sought to tackle the “quasiimperialist” impression he felt had been given by the reporting of the BNP’s suggestion that Ireland be reincorporated into a union with Britain. “We don’t want British rule in Ireland. What we mean is a loose federation, a loose collection. It would be rather like an emasculated version of the European Union, but just for the British Isles.” Speaking about the possibility of the BNP hosting a rally in Ireland or seeking to make contact with similarly minded Irish political groups Mr. Darby said that this was “another matter” that was best “not confused” with the debate. “We are aware of the existence of a number of groups. But there simply isn’t anything tangible there at the moment. There is nothing I would like to see more than an Irish National Party representing the interests of the Irish people.” Nick Griffin is an MEP and leader of the British National Party.
LGBT leader: “The Phil have used Trinity College’s name to bring someone who voices hatred to this country” Rónán Burtenshaw Deputy Editor BRIAN FITZGERALD, editor of Ireland’s weekly gay and lesbian newspaper Gay Community News, has admonished The University Philosophical Society (Phil) for its invitation of BNP leader Nick Griffin to Trinity College. Describing Mr. Griffin as someone who suffered from “mental problems”, Mr. Fitzgerald said that he “clearly wasn’t the right person to be debating a serious issue like immigration.” “The Phil may have
invited Mr. Griffin over with the intention of having a broad debate. But I don’t think a person with such extreme views will deliver that. It won’t be a debate, it will be a fight, and it will be very polarising.” Mr Fitzgerald continued his criticism of the society’s invite with specific reference to what he saw as racist and homophobic views and statements by Mr. Griffin. He said that he believed the Phil had “used Trinity College’s name to bring someone who voices hatred to this country.” He continued that Ireland’s views on gay people
had “moved on” but that it had never been “the kind of country” to support the BNP’s views. He contrasted the BNP’s view that homosexuality should be “returned to the closet” with the openness and supportiveness of modern Irish families to young people who are coming out. The issue of violence by BNP members against gay people was also raised. In 1999 David Copeland, a neo-Nazi and former BNP member, placed homemade nail bombs in British pubs that targeted ethnic minorities and gay people. On the 30th of April 1999 a
bomb exploded at the Admiral Duncan, a gay pub in London’s Soho district, killing three people and wounding seventy others. Mr. Fitzgerald said that giving Nick Griffin a platform in Trinity College “might inflame people who also feel hatred towards gay people”. “Whenever a homophobic person like this is given a platform violence against gay people increases. With this invitation and all of the coverage of his views certain elements might see this as an opportunity to beat up gay people.” Women’s rights activist
and LGBT campaigner Ailbhe Smyth joined the chorus of voices condemning the Phil. She said that she was “appalled” by the invitation and said that it was “shameful” for an organisation comprised of “privileged” young people to amplify the voices of “racism, homophobia, misogyny and hatred”. In 2008 the BNP was forced to withdraw one of its London Assembly candidates, Nicholas Eriksen, for comments he made that called rape “a myth”. Mr. Eriksen compared rape to “force-feeding a woman chocolate cake” and said it
was “simply sex”. He also wrote on his blog-posting that “a woman would be more inconvenienced by having her handbagsnatched”. Ms. Smyth said she could not understand “how any society calling itself The Philosophical Society could countenance extending such a platform” to Nick Griffin. She continued that it displayed “indifference” on the part of The Phil to the realities faced by those dealing with issues of racism, homophobia and misogyny. Suggesting that the event could be used as “a platform
for fascism in Ireland”, Ms. Smyth, who is a senior lecturer in UCD’s Women’s Education Research and Resource Centre, said that she was sure her academic colleagues in Trinity would have similar opinions. Responding to the argument that the invitation
was in the interest of “open debate” she said “there is no such thing as an open debate with fascism. The whole point of their movement is to close off debate,close people out of the debate and exclude them. And to do it aggressively.
Follow UT online at universitytimes.ie to keep up with the Nick Griffin visit
Tuesday, September 20th 2011 | The University Times
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TIMESFEATURES
Freshers’ Week 2011 Free pizza, free pancakes and Bavaria flavoured condoms. It’s Freshers’ Week.
Jack Cantillon Spoofer-in-Chief
Y
OU GOT THE points, you found accommodation and you’ve arrived at the place of your dreams, Trinity College Dublin. You’re pretty smug now aren’t you? Well, I’ve got news for you. You’ve made a terrible, terrible mistake. You should have gone to UCD. “It’s Trinity Ball, that’s why I picked Trinity”. I know you don’t want to party until the wee hours of morning, wearing slick formal wear with some of the biggest names in music. You want to see third rate pop stars sing in a field for twice the price you’d normally pay. You want to roll around in muck with Agricultural science students and talk about tractors. You want a ball that got cancelled last year because the Ents officer ate the headline act. You want UCD ball. You don’t want a fire eating, snake charming, tuxedo wearing, champagne drinking, best night of your life, every year, for four years. You want a boogie with the boggers. You should have gone to UCD. “It’s the societies, that’s why I picked Trinity”. We have shit societies. I mean sure, if you want the widest range (105 at last count) and most active student societies in Ireland you’re in the right
place but that’s not what you want. What you really want is in UCD. You want a Literary society that just did a fascinating analysis on that classic work of serialised fiction, the Mr.Men series. You want a Glasgow Celtic Supporters Society. Okay, well I think you get why that hasn’t taken off just yet here. You want a Maths society, that just ran a hugely successful lecture series entitled, “The Analogue Clock: Your friend, not your foe”. All our societies do is spend copious amounts on alcohol, organise the best trips of your life and let you meet lasting friends who share the same interests as you. You should hop on the next 46A to society utopia. You should have gone to UCD. “It’s the location, that’s why I picked Trinity”. Look around, what were you thinking? Okay, so if you said where is city centre Dublin, you’d probably say right outside our front door. And fair enough, we’re the easier college to get to by public transport. And I’ll admit, we might be a tad bit closer to every shop, every restaurant and every club in Dublin. But, you want what UCD has, a concrete jungle in the middle of nowhere with a seriously banging bus stop. Imagine how slick you’d feel walking in there everyday? Instead you’ve to make do with the heart of
You should have gone to UCD Early morning in Parliament Square as the societies set up their stalls for the day. the city centre, 400 years of history and one of the most beautiful campuses in the world. Fuck your life. You should have gone to UCD. “It’s the reputation, that’s
why I picked Trinity”. You hate being in the top 100 universities in the world. It’s so shit. You want to be, I don’t know, 135th. Who comes there? Must check
that. There is nothing more awkward then saying you go to one of the best universities in the world. What you want is mediocrity. There’s nothing awkward there.
Photo: Tom Lowe You’re bang in the middle, commonplace, run of the mill, an average Joe. UCD students go above and beyond in their pursuit of being absolutely the same as
everyone else. Why be the best at something when you can be glorious second best? You should have gone to UCD. “It’s the people, that’s why I picked Trinity”. Remember that UCD mate of yours that told you we were all a bunch of obnoxious, cravat wearing, satchel carrying, bastards? Yeah, he was right. We’re complete utter pricks. What you want is empty platitudes and mindless conversations on the benefits of looking like a can of Fanta while attracting the opposite sex. You don’t want stimulating discussions where you can actually speak your mind. That’s just Trinity bender talk. We’re the kind of pricks who, if we see you’re lost, we don’t send you the wrong way to teach you a lesson (like, a complete focking ledge) but actually direct you to where you want to go. What dickhead does that? You want people not afraid to take a stand, like the students of UCD, who erupted in anger at the closure of their libraries. They had no more books to colour in. You should have gone to UCD. “It’s the job prospects, that’s why I picked Trinity”. UCD graduates have proven themselves time and time again to be superior in the sectors that are just crying out for employees: Advanced Basket Weaving,
Jam Making for Beginners and Colouring Between the Lines: The Improver. How are you meant to compete in the job market with a UCD graduate who can weave a good basket? It’s knowledge economy and you’re being left behind, one well woven basket at a time. You should have gone to UCD. “It’s the craic, that why I picked Trinity”. We’re no craic. All we have is Ents nights out and society get togethers every night of the week. You don’t want a close-knit college community. Take it from me, the best time of your life is overrated. You want a college community where you don’t know anybody apart from your mates from home. You want to be able to sit in a lecture hall and not know a sinner to sit beside. You want an Ents crew too inept to organise a headliner in time for their own ball. You should have gone to UCD. What were you thinking? You’ve made a terrible mistake. You don’t want to spend the best four years of your life in one of best universities on the planet, you want to spend it in a soul destroying degree factory. Wipe that smug grin of your face, you Trinity wanker. You should have gone to UCD.
The Six Commandments for Freshers A pleasant historical glance at some of Trinity College Dublin’s more perplexing rules, regulations and practices. By Ronan Richardson
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One such alleged rule involves the legality of Protestant students climbing the Campanile to fire an arrow at Catholics but once a year.
OLLEGIUM SACROSANCTAE ET Individuae Trinitatis Reginae Elizabethae juxta Dublin, also known as Trinity is a world-renowned centre of excellence in learning and researching. Situated in a prominent position on College Green since 1592, this Hallowed institution, originally a dilapidated monastery, was secured by charter to the people of Dublin. Notable former alumni include Oscar Wilde, Samuel Becket, Theobald Wolfe Tone, Ernest Walton, John Yeats, and of course, the insatiable Joe Duffy. Throughout Trinity’s long and colourful history many changes have taken place. It has survived war and revolution, and made the transition from being an institution for the Protestant ascendancy to a university at the heart of one of Europe’s most vibrant capital cities. As such one supposes that it is only prudent to begin with a word of warning to Junior Freshman students lucky enough to enter the college this year, a historical survival guide of sorts. Thus here innocent fresher are the six crucial commanments that will help you survive your time in Collegium Sacrosancte et…Trinners.
1. Thou shalt tread carefully... One of the most important rules in Trinity life transcends academia and is more of a botanical nature. It’s simple. Keep off the grass. That means all the grass. There’s nothing a student in Trinity finds more upsetting and physically disturbing than the sight of their fellow student
parading across Trinity park or front square sipping a skinny mocha frapachino. Trinity College boasts some of the finest manicured lawns in the northern hemisphere and hence the impetus is on Joe Bloggs Fresher to maintain this high standard. Failure to do so can unfortunately result in decapitation. Too right. Now remember, sticking to the cobbles is not without peril. Once Joe Bloggs enters the front arch one of the most striking edifices is that of the campanile, the big bell tower yoke. It cannot be stressed upon enough, the risk of failing one’s exams due to standing under the campanile whilst it rings. Don’t do it for a dare, don’t do it full stop. You’ll only have yourself to blame in the end Rumour has it that a group of vengeful monks (an oxymoron no less) cursed the bell tower in spite of the students to attend their previous domain. If one needs to reach rubrics this writer recommends utilising some sort of grappling hook mechanism to do so, or indeed simply use the paths in front of the GMB or Long Room. Of course a similar myth surrounding College life is that similar examination results can also result from an excess consumption of alcohol. While highly damaging physically, when a survey was taken of a cross section of Trinity students, this myth was busted. A similar myth exists expounding that all exams shall be passed if studying begins with the first tree blossoms. However, in reality this myth probably has more basis in fact considering that spring arrives in
early March and exams take place late May.
2. Thou shalt not shoot a Catholic. Once Joe Bloggs incumbent-student has gotten past the twin perils of the campanile and the grass, there are graver risks to face, particularly depending on religion. Through most of her History, our Alma mater has acted to most of Dublin’s inhabitants as more of a white elephant dominating the city centre. For the predominately catholic populated city, Trinity was seen as a bastion of English rule in Ireland, forbidding education to catholic entrants. It is a common belief that Trinity College forbade catholic students enrolling, however in reality this ban was lifted in Trinity since 1793. It was in fact the Irish Church itself that excommunicated Catholics attending this University until 1970, when Archbishop of Dublin, John Charles McQuaid, lifted this ban. Untill then any hopeful Catholic students must have first requested permission from their local bishops. However, myths still surround the allusive Catholics of Trinity. One such alleged antiquated rule involves the legality of Protestant students climbing the Campanile to fire an arrow at Catholics but once a year. Rules also are alleged to exist that a Catholic found in Trinity with more than twelve schillings on their person can be arrested. This last one is a particularly rough as it implies Catholics have a tendency to steal. Thankfully however these rules have been lifted
Woe betide the unfortunate Fresher who doesn’t pay heed to the signs. and our Catholic students can make it through campus these days without having to dodge a hail of arrows or allegations of theft.
3. Thou shalt carry necessary weaponry. One of the most important rules that Joe Bloggs must obey is quite simply that of sword possession. It is imperative that every new student coming to trinity must have pens, paper, a mac book air, and a sword. Trinity’s enemies are everywhere. From the UCD student disguised as a bush, to the artery clogging lunch served in the Pav. There have been some rumours that this particular rule may be slightly archaic, even emotionally damaging. There may be some explanation for it in Trinity’s past. In the mid seventeenth century, the wars of religion
in Britain, or civil wars, (depending on your point of view) spread to Ireland. In 1641 the Provost fled, and many fellows were expelled under the Commonwealth of Cromwell. Again in 1689 Trinity was set apart as a barracks for the troops of James II. Clearly students need to defend themselves from remaining troops.
4. Thou shalt drink a’ plenty. However, we also know how to have fun, and Joe Bloggs will certainly see return once they adhere to the above. Joe can demand a glass of wine during exams, and invigilators are allowed Guinness and a pig or a similar porcine creature for their troubles. Now, believe it or not, it is almost certain that such myths unfortunately do not exist in reality, although a drop of
the creatúr in exams certainly would ward off nervous flurries!
5. Thou shalt graze thy sheep. As Firstie climbs the ladder of college life and eventually reaches the accolade of Scholar, he exclusively will be given the right to graze sheep on the College’s lush and fertile playing fields and squares. Perhaps this privilege has a certain basis in Irish Society considering the Bard himself, Bono grazed his sheep in St. Stephen’s Green following his freedom of the city. Well, at least it can be said that as a nation we avoid stereotypes… Ahem.
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The University Times | Tuesday, September 20th 2011
TIMESFEATURES
The March of the Penguins With a sold out run in Edinburgh behind the, “A Betrayal of Penguins” talk to Rory O’Donovan about Trinity, Freshers’ Week and their plans for the future. ‘They’re sharp, they’re imaginative and they’re definitely worth a look’, or so say entertainment.ie. Other reviews have called them ‘unmissable’, ‘genuinely funny’ and ‘charming’. I wouldn’t consider myself an overly cultured individual, but, finding myself in Edinburgh during this year’s fringe festival, I thought I’d check out A Betrayal of Penguins, and see what I thought. Maybe it’s because I like them as people, maybe there exists some absurd Trinity bias within me, but I liked it, a lot. Originally annoyed that I had missed-out on a frontrow spot, I soon felt blessed to be in the second row, as the elderly gentleman in front of me got the VIP treatment that comes with immediate proximity to such an energetic show: sporadic sweat showers. Clever writing, spot-on characterization and boundless energy, combined with genuine natural hilarity, make for a raucous sketch show. It is a sweaty juggernaut of sublime comedic chaos sustained by three young men who appear to be having as much fun as the audiences they are entertaining. I caught up with the talent behind a Betrayal of Penguins - Matt Smyth, Aaron Heffernan and Ross Dungan - as another busy summer came to an end. For those who haven’t experienced it, briefly sum-up what the Edinburgh festival is all about … The Fringe is the biggest arts festival in the world with over 2000 shows of
music, comedy, theatre and general mayhem. To give you an idea of just how much the city transforms: it inflates to more than twice its size, businesses aim to earn 80% of their annual revenues from it and they transform every bar, allotment and moat and bailey in the city into a Fringe venue - even old dilapidated bridges, which wouldn’t be safe enough for trolls, are used. For the month Edinburgh populates itself with the famous, the cool and the sound. For some reason, once again this year, A Betrayal of Penguins were allowed go back and hang out.
How did it go for you guys this year? On the plus side: This year was our best year yet. Another sell-out run for the month, coupled with some of our best reviews yet and great audience feedback. On the negative side: Aaron was sick most days after eating a kilo of mince every night when he was tipsy; Matt missed a flight home to a wedding in Dublin when he fell asleep at the departure gates and Ross’s tuxedo now smells worse than an egg manufacturers run on nuclear energy.
How did you all originally meet? Matt and Ross played on the Lakelands under 11’s soccer team together who were easily one of the least successful football teams of all time, losing their first
match together 8-1. Matt and Aaron met at ‘Rock and Roll’ camp when they were 14 years old. The CD was never released. All three gentlemen met again years later in Players theatre in Trinity. So, if you can’t make it in Music or Sport, use comedy when you’re older to make fun of the genuinely talented people in life.
How did Trinity help you to get to where you are now? We wouldn’t be a group if it wasn’t for DU Players. Their continued support is amazing yet also worrying - we hope they don’t expect payment or shit like that, these tuxes don’t wash themselves, evidently.
How did Trinity help you to realize you were funny? When Aaron nearly won a joke SU presidential campaign because people thought it was funny, we thought we might be on to something. Considering we learned words like ‘student levy’, ‘inflation’ and ‘official complaint from the school of nursing’ while on the campaign trail, its probably best we pulled out...
The thing you’ll miss most about Trinity We’re all biased towards saying DU Players so it’d make more sense to say ‘Societies’. Try all of them, find what you’re good at and use
it to make the friends you’ll have for life. No one actually likes the people in their course, what are you going to talk about on a night out? Proust? No matter what course you do, all you’ll end up talking about is Marcel Proust.
Favourite thing about Freshers’ Week Free stuff.
Least favourite thing about Freshers’ Week … How un-awesome the excess of free stuff makes you feel by the Friday. Surprisingly not exclusive to the free beer.
Chicks’.
Funniest First Year Story When Aaron was in first year a certain society ran an event called the Gumball challenge. You can read up about this online in the herald (http://www.hera ld.ie/new s/na ked-t r i nit y-s t udent s-s pa rk- c h aos-1622256.html). You can decide whether it was the best or worst thing that happened that year in College. Ross did nearly manage to capture a duck though, and to this day it remains to him ‘the one that got away’. In other news, Matt was not reelected Treasurer for the following year.
Funniest Freshers’ Week Story When a society accidentally ordered thousands of sliced pans instead of a couple of hundred. The bread-wars of 2009 still haunt many of its veterans.
If you could give one piece of advice to incoming Freshers, what would it be? Rinse and Repeat. Always repeat.
Worst Thing about Trinity Obnoxious seagulls and pigeons that are the same colour as the cobbles. Or Cameligeons.
Best Thing about Trinity
Future Plans? We’ve got a few gigs and festivals around Ireland and the UK. Potentially the far reaches of the Adelaide Fringe Festival if we can manage to get off College and work for 6 weeks at a time. Counting the days until A Betrayal of Penguins crosses the line from hobby into well-paid work. Keep in mind though that we are also holding out on the same happening with proffessional football and poker playing. Charismatic, charming and very, very funny, I am not the first to say it: Aaron, Matt and Ross are destined for the Big-Stage, see them while you can still afford to.
As Aaron would say, ‘the
Brought to you by the Careers Advisory Service with the support of the Students’ Union, Careers Week is running during week two of Michaelmas term, from Monday 3rd to Friday 7th October 2011. This exciting week of talks and events gives students the opportunity to hear about a wide diversity of careers. Graduates and employers in areas such as journalism, development and aid work, marketing, translation, financial, IT and scientific areas give their valuable time and advice. In previous years, many speakers have spoken individually to students after their session and indeed have given contact details for further support. Careers Week is targeted mainly at Sophisters and postgraduate students but has attracted students from all years in the past. Don’t miss this opportunity to find out about possible careers, postgraduate study, upcoming closing dates, job searching skills and meet with potential employers. Hope to see you at one or more of the events!! The full programme of career sector talks and skills sector workshops is as follows:
Careers Week, sponsored by Deloitte Monday 3rd October
11am: Preparing your CV (GMB) (facilitated by Accenture) 12noon: Translating & Interpreting (GMB) 1pm: Graduate Entry to Medicine (GMB) 3pm: Applying for Teacher Training (Primary and Secondary in Ireland & UK) (GMB) 4pm: Chartered Accountancy for all Disciplines (GMB) (facilitated by PwC) 5pm: ICT Sector (LTEE2, Panoz Institute)
Tuesday 4th October
11am: Digital Media: Film, Radio & TV (GMB) 12noon: Overview of Taught Postgraduate Courses: Ireland/UK (GMB) 1pm: Postgraduate Research and Funding (GMB) 2pm: Careers in EU Affairs (GMB) 3pm: Taking Control of your Career (GMB) (facilitated by Deloitte) 4pm: Working in the Creative Arts and How to Fund it (GMB) 5pm: Pharmaceutical, Medical Devices & BioIndustry Sector (LTEE1, Panoz Institute) 6pm: Green Sector Careers (LTEE3, Panoz Institute)
Wednesday 5th October
11am: Writing as Winning CV (GMB) (facilitated by Facebook) 12noon: Creating a Great Impression with your Application Form (GMB) (facilitated by Abbott) 1pm: Succeeding at Interviews (GMB) (facilitated by Google) 2pm: Assessment Centres: How to Shine (GMB) (2 hour session) (facilitated by Deloitte UK) 5pm: Finding a Job Using Social Media (Room 3074, Arts Building) (facilitated by CPL Resources Plc) 7pm: Entering the Legal Profession (Swift Theatre, Arts Building)
Thursday 6th October
11am: Working in Ireland for non-EEA students (GMB) 12noon: Journalism & Publishing (GMB) 1pm: PR, Marketing, Sales & Advertising (GMB) 2pm: NGOs & Development (GMB) 3pm: Museums, Galleries & Arts Administration (GMB) 4pm: Starting your own Business (GMB)
Friday 7th October
11am: Postgraduate Study & Funding in the USA (GMB) 12noon: Postgraduate Study & Funding in Germany (GMB) 1-3pm: Still don’t know what type of job you’d like? (GMB) (2 hour session) Drop-in CV Clinic: Wednesday 5th October 12noon-2pm (East Chapel)
Law Careers Fair Tuesday, 11th October 9am-11am (The Atrium) Gradireland Graduate Careers Fair Wednesday, 12th October 11am-5pm (RDS) For full information see: www.tcd.ie/careers/events
The Penguins have just returned from a sold out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, playing to 90 people in each show. This was their second sold out run at the festival. They warmed for the Fringe by playing numerous dates around Dublin and in England.
Tomás Sullivan on the publishing industry
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HEN MOST OF us think about the publishing business either images of all the favourite books you have ever read pop up or we think of dour businessmen, devoted to the bottom line and making a profit on the money, time and labour invested. One stereotype is all about the product, and another is all about the business surround that product: the marketing, branding, contract signing and above all the mass market of modernity. Neither is the whole story. Let’s take the story of the founding of Penguin books, one of the most ubiquitous brands in modern business, let alone the book business. In the 1930s Allen Lane was the head of the Bodley Head publishing house, which was in dire financial straits, with debt built up by successive annual deficits. He responded by putting his own money and that of his family into a new venture. He paid for paperback rights to ten modern literary books, including the likes of Ernest Hemingway and Agatha Christie, that had previously only been sold as hard or leatherback to a small bookstore readership for a premium price. These weren’t the kind of classics guaranteed to sell like they are now, this was contemporary high-brow literature. But Lane mass produced these books, he put them on newsstands and into Woolworths. He produced so many, all in paperback, that he could sell them for a six-pence. His gamble paid off, and there was a huge turnover. He became the leading publisher in Britain, and by the time the war began, Penguin books was allotted the lion’s share country’s paper ration. Allen Lane pioneered the use of brands to sell products. He used marketing techniques to spread the image of the penguin far and wide. It obviously has no relation to the product, but was easy to say and easy to remember. So he was an exemplary entrepreneur. But he was not disconnected from the books he was selling. He handpicked the first ten himself. It wasn’t cheap genre fiction or reliable classics that he sold en masse, but the cutting edge fiction of the day. He is therefore a representative of what good publishing is: a synthesis between business acumen and literary insight. On the business side legal expertise can be invaluable with drawing up the various contracts that determine the ‘rights’ of the publisher to use an author’s work. The product has to be printed and distributed in the least expensive way possible, which in the world of economies of scale can mean taking big risks on large orders. Knowledge of marketing is particularly essential. In the book business this involves editorial decisions as
well, because of ‘publicity’. Unlike advertising, publicity is something you don’t pay for. Thus if a writer or subject is known, then the job of the publisher is half done. This is a big reason behind the stacks of autobiographies of celebrities in bookstores; the task of marketing is done with before you begin. Selling fiction on the other hand is deeply rooted in the brand of the author’s name, to the extent that the name can be at odds with the author’s actual imput. Take James Patterson, who regularly teams up with co-writers, allowing him to be greatly prolific, having put his name to nine books last year and seven so far this year. But publishers don’t just passively reproduce what the author gives them though, and play a huge role in the producing the text. Editorial assistants and literary agents will often send a manuscript back with notes for revision before they eventually accept the author’s proposal. Then there is a period of copyediting where issues like consistency of tone and unclear writing are dealt with. Proofreaders then check for grammatical and spelling errors. The finished text is now applied to a page layout and designers will establish the look of the finished physical publication, which can include pictures, captions and designs. Jonathon Williams, a literary agent and adjunct professor at Trinity, in a lecture delivered to an English class last year, said that the real work of literary agents was to spot gaps in the market and commission authors to fill that gap, and publishers also commission work to be done in the first place. A successful example in the US being the commissioning of the Gossip Girl book series. It’s often debated that the book industry is dying. Too many ghostwritten biographies, the growth of supermarket bookselling and the various electronic ways of reading are the main culprits to be pointed out. For one thing the obsession with the physical object of the book is really quite ridiculous. It doesn’t matter how we read, as long as we’re reading. And a recent survey in the US shows that people are reading, not just nonfiction, but fiction too. The survey, carried out by Bookstats, analysed 1,963 publishers and found that revenues had risen by 5.6% between 2008 and 2010, with strong growth in juvenile (5.8%) and adult (8.8%) fiction. This growth can’t be separated from the rise e-book, with sales of electronic texts jumping from 0.6% to 6.4% of the market. This means, of course, that the industry is changing, but that’s a good thing. People are reading more, just not more books.
Tuesday, September 20th 2011 | The University Times
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TIMESFEATURES
The liberation of South Sudan
Former features editor Caelainn Hogan went to South Sudan during the summer and reported on its liberation. She found people full of hope, optimism and pride. This article was published in The Irish Times on July 9 and we’re proud to re-publish it here. Caelainn Hogan Freelance Journalist
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HE OFFICIAL DECLARATION of the independence of South Sudan today will perhaps be the greatest historical moment of Kiden Kenyi’s life. A haboba , or elder of the Lakoya tribe, Kenyi is no stranger to great events. She was alive when Sudan was declared independent from Anglo-Egyptian rule, and she sings old peace songs from 1972 – the end of the first civil war in Sudan. Kenyi lived through the second civil war, the longest in Africa. She was here when the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed on July 9th, 2005, beginning the six-year transition period that comes to fruition today. Kenyi still has her ballot card from the referendum in January this year, when 98.83 per cent voted for independence from the North. “On Saturday I will put on my beads and I will dance,” she says. “My feet are not strong enough to bring me to the mausoleum, but I will dance in the house.” To the new generation, Kenyi advises: “Let them study, stay healthy and live in peace.” Each family is celebrating in their own way. Paska Keji has bought sapling plants and flowers, which she will plant in her garden today. The entire city of Juba, capital of the new nation, has been under construction in preparation for the independence day events. The first street lights in Juba have been erected, with solar panels to power them. The main fountain has been lit up with pink and green lights. Juba football stadium has been under construction in preparation for the first international match to be played in the new republic: South Sudan vs Kenya.
Government banners line the streets with independence day slogans, and the billboard of a local beer company reads: “Cheers to a new nation”. On Thursday all land borders and roads to Juba were closed for security measures, and the airport is only open to official guests. Convoys of new vehicles, not yet registered, can be seen on the streets, brought in for the foreign dignitaries and VIPs. The area where the official declaration will take place has been cordoned off by security forces for days as preparations take place. People are stocking up on food and water, with a public holiday declared from today until Monday. For more than a month, 75 women from the Women’s Association, sporting bright green “Keep Juba
be empowered; we can work any job if we get the training,” she says. Seven-year-old Adwai Atem has never seen fireworks and will have been one of many to experience them for the first time during the display last night. Bells were rung across the country at midnight yesterday to mark the beginning of the celebrations, which promise to continue for many days. The official ceremony today will take place at the mausoleum of John Garang, the iconic first president of South Sudan and leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement. A statue of Garang by local artists David Morbe and Deng Ajuong will be unveiled during the ceremony. International dignitaries expected to speak include UN general secretary Ban Ki-moon and representatives from China, the EU and the US. Every evening in the Nyakuron cultural centre in Juba, schoolchildren who are participating in the independence day parade have been practising their marches. The Ateck Kilwak Orphans Cultural Group, meanwhile, have been practising the traditional dances of the Acholi tribe, which they will perform at the ceremony. Janet (13), a student at the Dr John Garang International School, knows the new national anthem by heart. She will sing it with the choir at today’s ceremony. School founder and widow of Garang Rebecca de Maboir says education “is the key to a better life” and was the vision of her husband. “My husband was a child once, and he became
Schoolchildren who participated in the independence day parade have been practising their marches Clean and Green” T-shirts, have devoted themselves to planting the flower beds decorating the main roundabouts and roads. Sapling trees have also been planted to line the roads. Many other women work at the mammoth task of sweeping clean the roads. Jennifer Bujang, chairwoman of the association, says she hopes this effort will prove to the government women’s commitment to the new nation and that they will have greater opportunities in an independent future. “Women need to
South Sudanese citizens celebrate the liberation of their country by paying homage to the Statue of Liberty. leader of this country. I was a child once, and now I am the mother of this people.” She says there is great need for education at this time, “especially for our girls”. There are many challenges facing the new nation, especially the unresolved
North-South border conflict over the oil-producing region of Abyei. Ken McCarthy, the country director for Goal Ireland, says stabilising security must be the main focus to ensure progress and success. With NGOs providing 80 per cent of direct
services, the government has a long way to go, facing huge logistical problems in a country of this size. Goal has operated in South Sudan since 1993 and provides essential primary healthcare and emergency response services. “To see it now after a
successful, peaceful referendum is good,” says McCarthy. “There were a lot of cynical voices that said this would never happen.” Resolving the insecurity is, as he says, “a big if”. Still, the people retain an indefatigable sense of hope. “You see the fortitude of
Photo: Caelainn Hogan the people here, they’ve got such high expectations for independence,” says McCarthy. “For everything they’ve endured, they certainly deserve some good luck.”
All drinks at student prices.
Tuesday, September 20 2011 | The University Times
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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.
Unimpressed by SoCoDu article With all due respect, even though this is an opinionated article & you are fully entitled to your opinion- in the interests of the integrity of good journalism, I am disappointed that the editor of the University Times has allowed this article to reach the public domain. When one reads an article, one expects a certain level of maturity and respect for the overall tone of the media landscape in which it is presented. The University times is a college newspaper, founded in one of Ireland’s finest universities yet this article places emphasis on questioning supremacy and arrogance. I, nor any other reader, I can only presume would wish to read content specific to a tired over emphasized stereotypical interpretation of a minority demographic of this country. Nor, do they wish to have stereotypes which are only perpetuated by poor media discussion, to be so grossly described in a style which is frankly orchestrated from a viewpoint of immaturity and nonchalance.
What we’ve learned since 9/11
Signed, An embarrassed alumnus. In response to “South Dublin and its attitudes: An insider experience”, Jack Leahy. Published on universitytimes.ie
Student Accommodation Sorry to be harsh, truly. But this is a very disappointing article. The whole piece about Trinity Hall being hard to get into is very out of date. While it may have been difficult to get into during the writers’ time, they take pretty much everyone now. You also did not include the expense as a disadvantage, the prices in halls are far more expensive than most private accommodation. It’s also worth noting that the abysmal advice offered by the accommodation office that was described has since been replaced by the accommodation advisory service, which does provide great (and well researched) advice. Steph Fleming In response to “A General Guide to Student Accommodation”, Peter Twomey. Published on universitytimes.ie
The future of Apple Chris O’Connor
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teve Jobs’ announcement that he would be stepping down as CEO of Apple has inevitably caused a torrent of news items among business and technology websites noting his and Apple’s contribution to technology and global business. Considered one of the most successful and innovative business leaders in history, Apple has become one of the world’s most valuable brands, in no small part thanks to Jobs’ innovative business strategy. His resignation was bound to generate outpourings and raise questions over the future of Apple. CEOs come and go, right? So why does Jobs matter so much? Apart from taking Apple from the brink of doom and turning it into one of the most valuable companies on earth, Apple has completely transformed several industries and outright invented others. Unlike Gates or Dell, who focused on the more technical side of computing, Jobs turned Apple into a company focused on distinctive design led
products that were built for the ordinary user. Standard features on today’s computer, such
as the desktop layout, are mainly due to Job’s pushing of the user-friendly computer so many years ago. However; the most amazing thing Jobs ever created in the fifteen years since he took over as CEO again was the Apple Brand. Using tactics developed during his time as head of Pixar, the products created and released on his watch were hits not just among gadget geeks but with tens of millions of people who saw them as attractive and chic, whilst also creating a brand loyalty hinging on reliable, user-friendly computers. The company now marketed itself with such hype and scale that it created an almost cult-like dedication of Apple fandom that has been both mocked and analysed in popular culture. While
The 9/11 lights memorial of 2010. 88 searchlights are arranged into two squares to represent the fallen Twin Towers.
there were companies who created computers, music players and mobile phones, Jobs’ Apple became a company whose products were seen as so distinctive that they attracted a dominant market share despite premium prices, leaving their competitors in the dust. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will no doubt hear from many sources and techies that Jobs’ move from CEO sounds the death knell for Apple. Looking back on how Jobs changed Apple from a struggling company to the powerhouse it is today, it is easy to argue that Jobs’ departure could precipitate stagnating innovation and a contraction of the Apple brand’s colossal market share. Hundreds of companies, however, have outlasted their seminal founders. Much like Disney, Apple is a company composed of thousands of capable people who all had a hand in bringing Job’s revolutionary ideas to life. Jobs has laid a foundation that can be maintained and expanded on; Apple has become an integral part of modern life. His replacement as CEO need not disrupt Apple, indeed a successful replacement could cement Apple’s position in global markets as one of the most innovative companies of the twenty-first century.
Hannah Cogan Opinion Editor
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s the 9/11 attacks fade into the history books, America is starting to move on. A host of new problems in the past decade have refocused American political attention The financial collapse of 2008 and the recession that followed have had a more direct impact than terrorism on the lives of ordinary people. America’s fraying social cohesion has refocused the 2012 election toward political gridlock in Washington, lost jobs, insurmountable debt and catastrophic spending. At the Ames straw poll in Iowa, Republican cheers rang as Ron Paul called for the troops to come home. America is desperate to cut its losses after a wretched decade; the costs-of-war project at Brown University puts forth a “very conservative” estimate of 137,000 civilians killed in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan and that the wars have created more than 7.8m refugees in these countries, at a total cost to the United States of nearly four trillion dollars— equivalent to the country’s cumulative budget deficits for the six years from 2005 to 2010. An Osama bin Laden conducting a posthumous review of the last decade would have cause to feel satisfied. America has been successfully drawn into
‘bleeding wars’ in Muslim lands. Some 6,000 American soldiers and many of its allies’ soldiers have lost their lives in grinding wars of attrition. Iraq and Afghanistan were catastrophic errors of judgement and subsequent embarrassments to the Bush and Obama administrations, but the world will worse of when an exhausted America concludes that it can never again proactively intervene and retires to domestic statecraft. It has been a truism of American foreign policy since 9/11 that, in the words of President Bush’s 2002 National Security Strategy, ‘we are threatened less by conquering states than we are by failing ones’. The Obama administration has been consistently criticized for not developing a failed states policy that would allow for preventative development measures whilst limiting international involvement. Thinking on such monolithic terms is impossible- no policy could outline a set of choices of use in countries as varied as Haiti, Yemen and Somalia, facing vastly different internal problems and of varying strategic significance. Some state failures pose a genuine threat to the West and some do not. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, some 5 million
people have died in horrific civil wars since the mid1990’s. The consequence to the West has been some volatility in mineral prices. It’s hard to think of anything else. Islamist militants in definitively failed Muslim states like Somalia and Chad have thus far posed a threat mostly to their own societies, and are surely less dangerous to global security than moderately functional Pakistan or Yemen. A distinctive divide exists between states like Somalia and Afghanistan, incapable of formulating or executing a state policy, and those like Pakistan or Sudan, where exploitative state policy has precipitated a collapse of infrastructure. The invasion of Afghanistan as a state was spectacularly misdirected as a means of fighting terrorism, whilst Iraq, defendable only tenuously as a defense of human rights, was underconsidered- the result of an American political matrix that demanded a strong response to 9/11. Addressing the ‘root causes’ of state failure and terrorism sounds like a systematic, sensible course of action, but few agree on what those causes actually are, nor is there any consensus on the best mode of treatment. Social and economic development are effective on a broad social scale but do little to address the idiosyncratic motivations of the small number of individuals who join terrorist organisations. It is often argued that failed states can
be reconnected to global communities and markets, but the benefits are unlikely to accrue to citizens. The junto of generals running Burma, for instance, will make sure an expanding economy performs only to their benefit, exploiting outside help for their own purposes The fi xity of self-destructive states can be overwhelming- it is impossible to escape domestic politics or political will. The few rays of light would seem to support military interventionLiberia and Sierra Leone have been pulled back from the brink of utter chaos in recent years- in future, the same may be said of Cote D’Ivoire. The inference to be drawn is not that the solution to failed states is to send in the Marines, but that the use of force to topple leaders deliberately exercising self-destructive policy can bend the trajectory of failing states. The vast majority of weak, failing and failed states endanger their own citizens and beyond that, their immediately neighbours; what happens in the poorest, most marginalised and dysfunctional places only rarely comes back to bite the developed world. Even in places that pose no meaningful threat to the West, a moral obligation to relieve suffering demands that those who can help do so. It is within the capabilities of organisations like the UN and NATO to stem flows of drugs and arms, bolster regional
authorities like the African Union, and, where necessary, use military initiatives to prevent violence spilling over into neighbouring countries. Countries exploited by their leaders need our help. Both intentionally corrupt and hapless states are settings for mass violence against their civilian population, including situations that might merit active intervention. 9/11 worked as a tactic to induce American self-destruction by inducing corrosive military action and shattering America’s self-confidence, the calculus by which America interacts with other states has been torn apart. Since 2001, America has vacillated between paranoia and isolationism to contend with the threat of global terrorism, but future danger cannot be averted simply by declaring victory (or accepting defeat) and retreating behind a Great Wall of America. Afghanistan and Iraq remain catastrophic errors of foreign policy, but should not distract from the proactivism allowed by large aid and military budget. America’s greatest mistake has been to retreat into its shell following the perceived embarrassments of Afghanistan and Iraq. We retain an enduring interest in alleviating suffering, reducing poverty and nurturing legitimate representative governments. And, after all, it’s the right thing to do.
Leaving Cert is fit for purpose Thomas Matthews
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he Leaving Certificate and CAO system has been increasingly subject to criticism and scrutiny in recent years. The Hyland Report, prepared by Áine Hyland, Emeritus Professor of Education at UCC, notes that these critiques centre on its perceived inability to prepare second level students for third-level education. She cites commentators who stress the Leaving Certificate’s focus on rote learning and its failure to endow the ability to engage in self-directed learning or the skills of “adaptability, critical thinking and innovation”. Their analysis isn’t entirely correct, but neither is it entirely wrong. Second-level education, whether it be in considering the motives of Iago in Shakespeare’s Othello or discovering exactly what happens when you put a match to ethyne gas, requires some level of comprehension and analysis. It’s also true that third-level education should focus less on learning off large volumes of information and centre more on the processing and application thereof. The level of learning present in our third-level institutions do not mean our secondary schools should be the fora for similar undertakings. Very little “adaptability” is possible in multiplication tables, very little “critical thinking” can
be applied to basic organic chemistry, and very little “innovation” can be exercised as we study the basics of the geographical land forms we find around us. Simply put, we can’t begin to develop intricate theories of sociology, jurisprudence, science or medicine until we possess the fundamentals, which, unfortunately, still need to be learned off by heart. Hyland feels that the CAO ‘points race’, and the increasing tendency of students to choose their subjects and study the curricula with a view to maximising their scores has precipitated this focus on rote learning. She considers and tentatively submits a variety of alternatives and supplements to the current system, but rightly notes that though “an alternative selection system may solve one problem; there is always the risk that it will create another, even greater problem.” First, she suggests that “Higher education institutions should consider reducing the number of specialised or denominated courses in first year and introduce generic courses, unless there are compelling reasons not to do so.” She argues that a realistic points threshold, based on ability rather than supply and demand, should be established and that a lottery system should be employed to select students from the total number of applicants that cross this barrier. Though this would certainly reduce the pressure on students to achieve high points and beat out their competitors, it seems unfair that a student who has achieved better grades than his classmate should
lose out by chance. Further, this would remove the incentive to perform well in school. Although ‘points pressure’ is often viewed negatively, deadlines and public evaluation will form a constant component of our adult lives. Second, she suggests that the Leaving Certificate examination process should be changed to include more continuous assessment, project and portfolio work. Projects and portfolios are often just as stressful as terminal exams, but they are often not entirely representative of the student’s own work, subject to corruption, and are often more reflective of the teacher who guides their undertaking. Continuous assessment puts pressure on students to perform consistently over a longer period of time, at odds with the inconsistent rate and nature of teenage development. She also feels that higher education institutions might employ supplementary selection criteria in admitting students. These might include aptitude tests and personal statements. HPAT-Ireland has already come under fire as anecdotal evidence and significant grade inflation both suggest that students who have attended expensive grind courses tend to perform better in their exams. In conclusion, the demonised focus on rote learning and exam technique is perhaps somewhat misdirected. Changes in the Leaving Certificate examination process or the application of the points system will not necessarily solve any problems that existand in fact might simply introduce greater problems into the mix.
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The University Times | Tuesday, September 20 2011
TIMESOPINION
What are the state of Ireland’s finances? Economise This Rob Farhat Editor of the Student Economic Review 2011
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e all know that the world economy, and Ireland in particular, has undergone the most severe economic downturn since the Great Depression over the last 3 years. It’s got all sorts of people who had never even heard of a recession interested and opinionated in the field. So with that in mind, the purpose of this column is to explain economic events and policy decisions in terms that anyone can understand, and in particular, how they affect students. So what better way to start off the year than to give an overview of Ireland’s finances?
GDP & GNP
Gross domestic product (GDP) is the standard
measure of a country’s economic activity – defined as the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period. Gross National Product, meanwhile, measures the market value of the all final goods and services produced by a country’s citizens in a given period – so in the case of Ireland, it excludes the economic activity of foreign companies working in Ireland, and includes Irish citizens abroad, resulting in a lower figure than GDP. From 1995 through to the peak of 2008, Irish GDP grew from €51.9 billion to €189.9 billion in today’s prices, averaging an astonishing 7% growth per year. More importantly, GDP per capita rose from €14,400 to €43,500 in the same time period. To
put that into perspective, the UK’s GDP per capita rose from €15,200 to €33,700. So in the space of a decade and half, Ireland grew to become the EU’s third richest country, behind only Luxembourg and Denmark. However, while the boom of the nineties was fuelled by exports, in particular relating to information technology, the growth of the naughties was driven by an unsustainable property bubble. In 2008 it all came crashing down, with GDP falling from €190 billion in 2007 to €156 billion in 2010, contracting by 3% in 2008, 7% in 2009, and 0.4% in 2010. GNP has been hit even worse, falling from €163 billion in 2007 to €128 billion in 2010 – contracting by 2.8% in 2008 and 9.8% in 2009 – suggesting that Irish indigenous firms have been
affected more severely than multi-nationals. The Central Bank’s latest forecasts predict modest GDP growth of 0.8% this year, and a slight contraction of 0.3% in GNP. So what does GDP actually compose of? There are a few different ways of breaking down GDP, the most standard of which divides it into: personal consumption, investment, government expenditure, and imports and exports. Consumer spending – which makes up just over half of GDP – has fallen consistently since 2008, as people’s wages have been cut and unemployment has risen. Moreover, it is forecasted to continue to contract for the next 2 years. Investment has fallen far more dramatically, tumbling from a peak of €48 billion in 2007 (25% of GDP) to €18 billion in 2010 (12% of GDP). This can be mainly attributed to the complete collapse of the property sector.
Government Revenue and Spending The main element of economic activity that we are interested in is government expenditure.
It’s the component which makes the most headlines, owing to the obvious fact that it is directly linked to our politicians’ decisions. Firstly, in the run up to the crash, the government ran what may have appeared to be rational fiscal policy at the time, but in hindsight undoubtedly made the looming crash much worse. Prudent fiscal policy is counter-cyclical, i.e. putting the breaks on an expanding economy through higher taxes or spending cuts, and vice versa. It involves running surpluses during expansions and running deficits during contractions, in order to stabilise the fluctuations of a market economy. However, in the run up the crisis, the government’s “if I have it, I spend it” fiscal policy was a dual approach of tax cuts and increasing spending. While government expenditure had been significantly reduced during the nineties, from a high of 47.1% of GNP in 1993 to 34.6% in 2000, by 2007 it had crept back up to 38.6%. The problem with this approach was that it added further fuel to the unsustainable property boom of the
naughties, leading to an inevitably harder fall. To be able to spend money, governments obviously have to collect tax revenue. Revenue has fallen from a peak of €47.9 billion in 2007 to €34.4 in 2010, despite measures to increase taxation. Meanwhile, despite cuts in expenditure, government spending has increased from €40.9 billion in 2007 to €47 billion in 2010 (depending on what you include). The result has been deficits of 7.3% of GDP in 2008, 14.4% of GDP in 2009, and 31.9% of GDP in 2010. Of course, a significant amount of this money has gone towards recapitalising the banks, the merits and flaws of which are not for this article. Even without the bank recapitalisation though, 2010’s deficit would have still been 11.6%, with the government spending 36% more than it received in revenue, so spending cuts have clearly been warranted and highly necessary. Again, the nature and extent of these cuts won’t be discussed here for now. More important than deficits though, is the government’s overall debt to GDP level – i.e.
the total amount of debt that the government has accumulated through deficits over the years. The only way to reduce this ratio is by running fiscal surpluses or through economic growth. Thanks to extraordinary growth and some modest surpluses, government debt was reduced from 93.5% in 1993 to a very respectable 23.1% in 2007. However, within the space of 4 years has risen to 94.9% at the end of 2010, and is expected to hit at least 110% by the end of this year. These levels are highly unsustainable, hence Ireland’s inability to borrow from the markets and the need to reduce the deficit rapidly.
Imports and Exports
The one ray of light for Ireland’s economy lies with trade. In 2010 Ireland moved into a trade surplus, meaning the value of what we exported was greater
than the value of our imports. With a current account surplus of 1.5% of GDP expected for this year, and merchandise trade making up 29.4% of GDP, trade is our only potential source of growth. And yet, this very much depends on the state of the world economy, and if any combination of the eurozone, the United Kingdom, or United States slip back into recession, demand for our exports will be severely weakened. So hopefully this has given a decent overview of the state of Ireland’s economy, and can put every policy decision – be it spending cuts, tax hikes, public sector pay, or student fees – in context. Throughout the year I’ll be looking at particular policy areas with an emphasis on how they effect students, but to be able to have a debate about specific policy issues, we have to first grasp the overall picture.
Read Rob Farhat’s previous blogs on universitytimes.ie
Trinity students contribute to UN review of Ireland’s human rights record Andrew Flynn FLAC Representative
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reland is set to face its first review by the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. On Thursday October 6 from 9am to 12pm an Irish delegation will face questions from representatives of each of the 47 Member States who sit on the Council, plus any other UN Member States who wish to take part in the discussion. This will result in a report containing recommendations on how Ireland can improve its human rights record. In 4 years time Ireland will be subject to this review again, with the Council focusing on the steps it has taken to implement its accepted recommendations and voluntary pledges made on foot of the previous report. This process is known as the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and was established along with the Human Rights Council in 2006 in order to strengthen the international protection of human rights. It ensures that each and every Member State of the United Nations must report on its human rights practices and face questions from a panel of its peers on which each geopolitical region of the world is represented. The questioning the Irish delegation will face in Geneva will be guided by three key documents. The first is Ireland’s own report. The second is a summary prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) of all official UN reports on Ireland’s human rights practices. The third is a summary also prepared by the OHCHR which contains the recommendations of all 60 submissions made by organisations working in the field of human rights in Ireland. It includes virtually every contemporary issue in Irish public life from child protection, healthcare and abortion to same-sex marriage, fathers’ rights, Travellers’ rights plus the treatment of protesters in the Shell to Sea campaign and the use of Shannon airport by foreign authorities for certain operations. Trinity FLAC, the TrinityCollege branch of
the national Free Legal Advice Centres, established the Trinity College Dublin UPR consultation committee in January 2011 to investigate areas of concern for human rights as identified by undergraduate law students in the course of their studies. A forum was held which resulted in the drafting of a report featuring the key recommendations emerging from the discussions. This report was submitted to the OHCHR with a separate report being submitted by national FLAC. Trinity FLAC’s report was cited 7 times in the OHCHR summary. It recommended the establishment of an effective independent complaints system to stop abuses against prisoners and asylum seekers. It also recommended improving prison conditions in general, including eliminating the practice of “slopping out.” It called for the provision of work permits for asylum seekers along with the end of the direct provision and dispersal regime and the establishment of an effective and independent asylum appeals body. It also called for the abolition of the non-jury Special Criminal Court. Each of these proposals was included in the summary sent to the Human Rights Council. This shows that students and student organisations can play a role in the defence of human rights both nationally and internationally. More importantly, it proves that they can be heard at the highest levels of international organisations. Ireland and the Human Rights Council must continue to be scrutinised during the remainder of the UPR process and beyond. Students should continue to participate in detecting and researching areas of concern and reporting and campaigning on them. If you are interested in and committed to the protection of human rights, you have a role to play. All you have to do is show up and contribute. Trinity FLAC is a student society which provides free legal advice and information clinics for students and conducts research and campaigns on issues of social justice, law reform and equality. Membership is open to all students.
TIMESOPINION If you have want to write for our Opinion section, send an email to opinion@universitytimes.ie
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy exert considerable influence over the ECB.
The ECB is a destructive influence and it’s time it was held to account Neil Warner
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he sudden departure of Jurgen Stark from the executive board of the European Central Bank (ECB) led to panic in the global markets and caused many among the chattering classes to speculate on the institutional health of that body. Far from putting things into perspective, they may as well have been discussing the implications of a row between a postal clerk and a kitchen porter on the RMS Titanic. At the moment, the ECB is antiquated, incoherent, economically destructive, anti-democratic and morally repugnant, whilst exerting enormous power and influence at a European-wide level. It is, in fact, probably the most powerful of such institutions, and holds in its hands the economic, social and political fate of millions of people. The EU should, theoretically, be governed by some sort of combination of the European Council (representing the member states), European Commission and European Parliament. The
arrangement itself has been criticised as undemocratic, inefficient and opaque, but at least some sort of case can be made for it. All of these bodies can present a coherent albeit unconvincing argument for their democratic credentials. The ECB, on the contrary, is not even intended to have this characteristic; it is deliberately designed to be as insulated from political influence as much as possible. The ECB dictates European economic policy. On monetary policy, its insulation from external pressure is almost total, and guaranteed by European treaty arrangements. In this all-powerful position, the ECB continues to pursue a die-hard monetarist line. For those Europeans who like to flatter themselves about the superior health of their democratic systems in comparison to the plutocratic United States, the contrast between the democratic accountability and policy flexibility of the U.S. Federal Reserve and the ECB is extremely edifying.
While the Federal Reserve and Bank of Japan despair at the mathematically impossibility of a base interest rate below 0%, and the Bank of England has lowered its rate to an all-time low of 0.5%, the ECB has refused any drop below 1% and recently maintained its current rate of 1.5%. In the first part of this year they actually increased their rate. So ingrained is their inflation fetish that even a month after the collapse Lehman Brothers, as the world economic system flirted with total meltdown, the ECB took the time to note its continued concern with ‘upside risks to price stability’. The ECB’s power extends well beyond monetary policy. Not only does it now have some sort of say in the budgets of five Eurozone countries, it essentially holds veto power over all decisions regarding the Eurozone’s reaction to the current crisis, and has used this power to pursue its own ideological agenda. Accounts of the Irish bailout negotiations last winter suggest absolute disbelief among some negotiators at the intransigence of the ECB with regard to burden-sharing by senior bondholders, with the IMF
and European Commission coming out in a comparably favourable light. Similarly, earlier this summer, the ECB fought an energetic rearguard action in opposition to the eventual renegotiation of the Greek bailout, even as national leaders like Sarkozy and Merkel reconsidered their position. They are, in essence, vandals in expensive suits, and vandals with as good a claim to the title of our rulers (and rulers of Europe) as anyone else. Trichet should be a hate-figure among the European populace in general, and especially among people in Ireland. His designated successor, Mario Draghi, should be the subject of merciless public attention. As it is, they barely register in popular consciousness. Brian Cowen’s worst critics could not deny that, for all his terrible mistakes, he probably tried to act in the best interests of the Irish people. The ECB cannot be defended in the same way. It was the wellbeing of European bankers which drove them to disregard the interests of everyday Irish people. Cowen is subjected to deep and widespread public displeasure, while those guilty not
merely of incompetence but also indifference escape notice. It is increasingly difficult to argue they act in the best interests of Europe as a whole. Perhaps the best that can be said for the Frankfurt-based organisation is that they have had the best interests of Germany at heart, but nor is this really true. Earlier this month, the OECD predicted stagnation across the industrialised world for the rest of the year and a contraction in Germany. On the very same day, while personally acknowledging an economic slowdown, Trichet announced the maintenance of the interest rate increases instituted by the ECB earlier in the year. The reality is that they are simply a cohort of ideologue bankers, driven by their monetarist fundamentalism and the German financial milieu within which they operate, insulated from reality by the inadequacy of the EU’s political systems and the parochialism of national public debates. ECB is a destructive and controlling influence in Europe and it is time they were held to public account.
Tuesday, September 20 2011 | The University Times
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TIMESOPINION
Libya: A nation reborn As Libya’s revolution feels its way towards democratic elections, our opinon writers reflect on the struggle and wonder what lies ahead for the North African state.
The international perspective on Libya Ben Mitchell Editor, Trinity College Law Review
T
he Arab Spring has been gripping from its beginnings. Ever since Mohamed Bouazizi’s gruesome self-immolation last December, the world has been captivated by the protests spreading incessantly across the Middle East. This interest has led to compassion, which in turn has driven international support for the protests, none more strikingly than in Libya. Protests began in Benghazi on 15 February that soon morphed into a resistance movement, populated by a rabble of disorganised but passionate men. Their early successes were quickly whittled away by Gaddafi’s vastly superior troops who had advanced to within 100 miles of Benghazi by the time the Security Council took action. Two UN Resolutions within just over a month of the outbreak of hostilities imposed travel
bans and asset freezes on major government officials, placed an arms embargo on Libya and authorised the foreign use of force, short of an invasion, “to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack”. Shortly thereafter, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court sought INTERPOL’s help in enforcing outstanding arrest warrants issued for Gaddafi, one of his sons and his intelligence chief. These actions, coupled with endorsements and condemnations of Gaddafi from North and South of the equator from Israel and the US to Iran and Oman, gave legitimacy to the rebels and induced numerous high-level defections from the government. NATO airstrikes devastated Gaddafi’s troops and, in likely defiance of their international mandate, intelligence and military experts directly assisted the
rebels, coordinating their attacks and instructing their leaders. As wartime turning points go, this one was pretty impressive. Gaddafi’s previously irrepressible momentum was stalled, precipitating a six month stalemate which ended suddenly with the fall of Tripoli on 21 August. The breadth of actors involved is most telling. The airstrikes started with the US but, as they began to retreat into a nationalistic shell, the remaining NATO allies came to the fore, particularly the French. The African Union tried repeatedly to broker a ceasefire, while the European Union and Western, Asian and Eastern countries were diligent in implementing the asset freeze and calling for the removal of Gaddafi. The Arab League also moved to condemn Gaddafi’s actions and swiftly isolated him from some of his traditional allies. The Human Rights Council chipped in by ejecting Libya. Lest the political operations overshadow the humanitarian crisis, several hundred million euro in aid has flooded into the country
from the world over. The worthiness of these acts cannot be questioned, but they still raise concerns. When Libya called for help it was forthcoming; other peoples have not been so fortunate. The Syrian attempt to harness the Arab Spring was repressed equally cruelly and yet the will to intervene has paled in comparison. Protests for democracy in Bahrain and The UAE were silenced with little more than a tut-tut of disapproval echoing internationally. In Somalia, it has taken a famine and tens of thousands of lives for us to wake up to the horrors of hunger in the Horn of Africa. The list of neglect is tragically and literally endless. In 2005 Martyn Turner published a cartoon in The Irish Times depicting a man collecting donations for the Indonesian Tsunami relief operation. Around him were many hands throwing many notes, while in his shadow, looking dreary and ignored, were the collectors for AIDs prevention, Darfur, the Congo, World Hunger and World Poverty. The analogy to Libya is unnerving.
We do not resent the Libyans or the Tsunami relief collector, and yet we are still stuck with a sense of injustice and guilt because our very act of donating highlights the fact that we are simply not doing and not giving enough. We are selective with our charity, just as our governments are selective in where they intervene. The difference lies in the motivation behind our choices. We choose who receives our charity on compassion alone, but our governments seem instead to be driven by much more. Certainly, they want to help, but only if it also serves that most precious commodity; national interest. Muammar Gaddafi is a cruel man and his fall from power can only be welcomed, but so to is Robert Mugabe. Mugabe is an eccentric with a similarly deplorable human rights record and yet he remains little more than a mild disappointment to democratic leaders. Zimbabwe lacks what Iraq and Libya has. All have had terrifying and dangerous men in charge for decades, but only the latter two have oil. The realist knows that with
China now the world’s largest energy consumer and in the midst of an investment scheme to buy most of the African continent, the West wants greater control of its oil supplies. A realist will also tell me that oil is necessary for wealth, and that a prosperous West is why I get to sit in university, but we should at least consider whether there are more worthy reasons for exercising our influence. Maybe Libya is different. Maybe our government, the EU, the US, NATO and the UN said what they said and did what they did because something special happened in Libya; the people stood up, spoke out and fought against oppression, and we, as people around the world, insisted that they be listened to. Maybe we told our governments where to intervene. Or maybe it was just oil. Whatever the reason, the Libyan story should make us take note of the impact we can have when we take an interest in the suffering of people and the injustices of corruption in distant parts of the world.
Libya’s Rebels
Rebels fire a rocketpropelled grenade at a Libyan air force fighter jet on March 10, 2011 in Ras Lanuf, Libya. Most rebel forces fled the city as government forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi attacked them with heavy shelling and air strikes. Photo: Eng Rimawi
Will there be democracy after the Arab Spring? Derwin Brennan
T
he revolution started in Tunisia and spread across the Arab world. Libya joined Egypt and Tunisia in shaking off longlasting autocratic regimes through popular protest and rebellion. For these countries, a new political firmament is being shaped. The leaders of the Libyan National Transition Council, Tunisian Transition Government and the ruling Egyptian Supreme Council of the Armed Forces have pledged to usher in democracy, demanding investigation into how democratic these states will become and how long these governments can last. The Middle East is a
newcomer to the democratic game. Of its constituent states the only free democracy, as ranked by Freedom House, is Israel and there are no free democratic Arab states. Despite the removal of long-ruling autocrats like Mubarak and Gaddafi, the current ruling juntas may outstay their mandates and keep power for themselves. In the draft Libyan constitution promulgated by the National Transition Council there are encouraging commitments to an independent judiciary and fair and open elections (although the exact electoral rules have yet to be worked out) and a clause preventing members
of the NTC from nominating or assuming the position of president and other high ranking political positions. . By contrast in Egypt the military has already inserted provisions into the constitution stipulating that it will not give up most executive power until a president is elected, even after the parliamentary elections scheduled for October. Despite an extension of executive power, the Egyptian Supreme Council of the Armed Forces have made positive moves towards liberalisation and democratisation. SCAF has allowed the registration of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party which will contest the upcoming parliamentary election. Historically, Arab dictators have used fear of Islamist
extremists to legitimise their tenure as protectors of people’s freedom. Allowing the Brotherhood, long banned in Egypt, to contest the election is a putative sign of progress. We will see how much this applies to Egypt by the military’s reactions on the election of a new Egyptian president. Even after free and relatively fair elections in Egypt, Tunisia and shortly Libya, democracy is not guaranteed. Adam Przeworski and other political researchers find that in the last 20 years that the main form of democratic breakdown is not military coup but “the consolidation of incumbent advantage.” In these situations, a democratically elected ruling government undermines the rules of the democratic game by
banning parties, disqualifying opposition candidates and engaging in vote rigging to ensure that they do not lose power. Given that incumbants have already demonstrated an ability to subvert the state and organise protests with regime-altering results, ruling parties may be less likely to attempt the same levels of fraud and disenfranchisement again. Newly democratic governments will have much work ahead of them in the establishment of a free press, independent judiciary and guaranteeing free and fair elections to preserve democracy. Libya’s constitution deliberately limits the political ambitions of the current transitional council and should help prevent an early monopolisation of political power.
The revolutions we see have been fuelled by anger amongst the public at political disenfranchisement, economic stagnation and endemic corruption in dictatorial governments. Encouragingly the fact there was not one single leader of the protests ready to slide into power should help create healthy competition amongst factions in the new democratic regimes. In order for any democracy to succeed the people must both want it and engage in it. The oppressed peoples of Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya have shown they want a change and they are willing to fight for it. A government that tries to deny them the change they have finally won would do so at its peril.
Marginal Opinions
Seán McGrenaghan
The future of Libya’s economy
W
ith Rebel forces finally breaching Colonel Gaddafi’s compound on 23rd August, international contemplation turned, for the third time in a decade, from the tumult of war, to the slow business of recovery. While the past decade has yet to provide a quality example of post-war recovery, there is reason to believe that Libya will provide a more successful transition to stable governance than Iraq or Afghanistan. Iraq, in particular, has provided the antithesis of a ‘clean’ recovery operation. Eight years after the first Coalition bombs were dropped, the country remains in the doldrums. Libya, however, fosters brighter prospects of recovery. The most striking difference between the prospective fortunes of Iraq in 2003 and Libya in 2011 are in their underlying economic strength. Despite both nations enjoying oil-rich economies, years of UN sanctions, governmental mismanagement and corruption had crippled the Iraqi economy before the 2003 invasion. While the pre-conflict GDP per capita of Libya was one of the healthiest in Africa at almost $14,000, Iraq’s prior to the 2003 invasion languished at under $3,500. Added to this, Iraq in 2003 was estimated by the CIA to be running a foreign debt-toGDP ratio of over 200%. Recovery was hampered by the illiquidity of the state and its reliance on US economic handholding. Iraq has yet to successfully stand on its own feet and will continue to suffer from unrest until it does so. Present indicators would suggest that Libya need not suffer the same fate. While Iraq was burdened by unsustainable sovereign debt, Libya is in the enviable position of holding capital reserves equivalent to two years’ GDP. The investment portfolio of the Libyan Investment Authority, coupled with that of the Central Bank, amounts to $150 billion. While much of this has been frozen in western banks, President Obama and EU leaders have indicated willingness to release the assets to aid recovery. Sovereign wealth sets Libya apart from Iraq in that it, at least, has the potential to mitigate the losses of war. Whether it does so successfully is open to question. The allied powers appear willing to limit their involvement in post-conflict Libyan affairs and the responsibility lies with the Libyan National Transitional Council to ensure recovery. True economic regeneration will be dependent on the NTC achieving three objectives: consolidating the annexation of Tripoli, ensuring internal unity and using that unity to implement structural economic reforms. While the first objective appears to be being met, the later intertwined objectives are of greater uncertainty. Given tribal tensions within the country, the NTC will have to show pristine unity if it is to ensure sufficient support to drive through fundamental reforms. Already, there is discord within the rebel leadership, with key figures questioning the legitimacy of Mahmoud Badi, a former Gaddafi technocrat, who has been appointed to audit the LIA. Divisions this early in the transitional period must be addressed if reforms are to be successful. Assuming that the NTC proves strong enough to introduce change, economic reform must be first on the agenda to placate the lower and middle classes, angered by high levels of inflation and falls in the standard of living. Much of the key to peaceful regeneration lies in economic diversification away from the current dependence on oil. At present, oil production forms 95% of Libyan export earnings. The vulnerability of the economy is evident, given that, following the conflict, which has seen oil production grind to a virtual standstill, a nation with a relatively high GDP has teetered on the brink of humanitarian crisis. While foreign analysts predict that oil production will not return to pre war levels until 2014, this particular cloud may have a silver lining, in forcing diversification. Rebuilding will require a strengthened trade relationship with Egypt and Tunisia, whose burgeoning construction industries will be essential to redeveloping infrastructure. The potential of internal industries must also be also be realised. Libya has the largest gold reserves per capita in the world and a population that is crying out for a developed tertiary sector. A newly diversified economy will also attract investment from a host of global corporations, who currently lack a definite base in North Africa. Economic restructuring will be difficult, given that Libya is again an emerging nation but it is essential. At present, the entire Libyan political system balances on a onelegged stool where stability rests entirely on the success of the oil industry. When that leg is kicked, the entire nation risks collapse. Diversification is essential to stabilise the long-term economy. While the path forward will be difficult, there is potential, and, as the world watches the incredible scenes of Libyan children diving into the private swimming pool of their former dictator, there is cause for hope that the future will be considerably brighter than the past.
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The University Times | Tuesday, September 20 2010
TIMESEDITORIAL
The University Times COLLEGE NETWORK IS A NATIONAL JOKE
D
r Conan T Barbarian was probably one of the least expected staff appointments in the English Departmen’s history. A former UCD graduate, his profi le stated that he had been “ripped from his mother’s womb on the corpse-strewn battlefields of his war-torn homeland, Cimmeria, and has been preparing for academic life ever since. A vengeful character, Conan slaughtered those who had killed his parents, while also taking the time to study post-colonial theory. His dissertation, entitled “To Hear The Lamentation of Their Women: Constructions of Masculinity in Contemporary Zamoran Literature” was a surprisingly good page turner and helped in no small way in his being appointed to the school of English in 2006. That and the fact that he beheaded his predecessor “during a bloody battle which will long be remembered in legend and song.” In case you’re entirely unaware as to what the preceding paragraphs refer to, the staff page on the Department of English’s website was tampered with last week to include a post about Dr Conan T Barbarian. Quickly spotted by students, it was shared on Facebook and Twitter before eventually landing on The Irish Times
website. The best the college could say was that it wasn’t an external hack and that the matter was being taken very seriously. That this statement offers no comfort shouldn’t be of much surprise when one reads our front page story. For over a year there was a fi le readily available on the college network which contained the names, email and home adresses and course details of every student and staff member who entered Trinity between 2001-2009. Over 55,000 entries in all. While the college was genuinely embarassed at the time this knowledge was made public, it was quickly forgotten and apparently assumed that no one had downloaded the fi le or made devious use of it. The ease with which our anonymous student found the fi le, by way of a simple Google search, demonstrates how grievous an oversight this was. When combined with Dr Conan T Barbarian and Trinity Cat, serious questions must be asked about the management of the college network and the apparent ease with which pranksters can hack it. The next breach might not be so amusing.
T
GRIFFIN SHOULD SPEAK SO THAT HE MAY BE CONFRONTED
he core principle of democratic societies is that in free, unhindered discourse the best ideas carry the day. The principle of uncensored debate is one of the cornerstones of academia; the idea of granting tenure to academics is with a view to providing them with the freedom to follow whatever path of inquiry they choose. If free discourse is to happen anywhere it seems it must happen in universities. The notion that some ideas are so poisonous and dangerous that they cannot be allowed to be spoken is archaic and counter to the history of human progress (after all if some ideas corrupt then only the most corrupted could police them). It is with these high enlightenment ideas in mind that one must begin a conversation with a fascist. The jingoistic ideas that the BNP hold are common fodder for the farright with a long and repulsive precedent behind them; they are purveyors of a narrative of lost power and a politics of nightmares as opposed to dreams. They thrive on the existential terror felt by some British people as they countenance the state of their country. They give a face to that fear. The existence of fascist fringe parties must be taken very seriously. They cannot be ignored and racial tension in working class
communities cannot be left to fester. And it is here that the BNP can actually be useful. The existence of this party, the fact that it could so easily sell its poison, the fact that people are so quick to believe that the government is the enemy in a culture war being fought on their streets, points to a disconnect between people and government. The BNP could not exist if people did not have grievances, the fact that they have been convinced (not by the BNP but by the fact that the world looks a lot like this from a council flat) that the problems in society are down to some other group of oppressed workers with different coloured skin is very significant. This is not to say that because the grievances that occasioned the BNP appear real that they are any more than repellent bigots, but it surely reflects an important disconnect between working class communities and the main political parties. The BNP is no the cusp of seizing power, they are a small party, kept alive by media attention, and holf no sway with the vast majority of people. This,however, does not mean that they are not without consequence. Their politics is ignorant and dangerous. It divides communities. It attack the idea of what it means to be a citizen.
There is a duty to engage them. They must be fought and defeated and this is can only be done by the primary tool of democracy: debate. The University Times will cover the visit of Nick Griffin extensively, if indeed college allows him to come. In our news section we’ve provided in-depth coverage of the reaction the Phil have received since Griffin’s visit was announced. No doubt they expected as much. Some see it as a cynical ploy to attract publicity for the society. Griffin’s views are regarded as so abhorrent to any right-thinking citizen that it is entirely worthless and indeed dangerous to allow him any kind of platform from which to pontificate. This newspaper was founded on the belief that all ideas should be aired, right or wrong. And while it may seem ridiculous to allow an odious bigot like Griffin infect this campus with his hatemongering, he is sure to be confronted by articulate, intelligent and semsible speakers. They should be supported with full throated roars. By denying Griffin the right to speak we would be doing as he would were his views in the ascendancy. Let him speak, so that he might know that he is never welcome here again.
Presidential hopeful Mary Davis makes her case On October 27th the electorate will go to the polls and elect the ninth President of Ireland. In order to secure a nomination, candidates must gain the support of 20 Oireachtas members, or the support of four County or City Councils. Mary Davis, who is standing as an independent candidate, has received an unprecedented ten formal nominations from county councils and hopes to become Ireland’s first ever independent President.
I Our Constitution, like our laws, must be subject to scrutiny, transparency and debate.
want to be a practical president in the service of the Irish people. All my working life I have been committed to the values of equality, fairness, respect, empowerment and involvement. I believe these values are very relevant to the times we live in and to the office of President. In 2004, I was appointed to the Council of State, which advises the President on constitutional issues. The Presidency is more significant now than ever. People are suffering a crisis of leadership. I have seen firsthand what the Presidency can achieve. Today, the global community is sceptical about Ireland; this has to change. Ireland needs a strong advocate globally because Ireland has a strong story to tell – in Washington, in Brussels, in London, Paris and Berlin. It has never been more important to ensure that the voice of our country is heard by those of influence, never more important to have as President a person who can bring the real story of Ireland to the wider world. The elements that made us unique still exist: our resilience, talent and innate belief. With direct responsibility for managing the Special Olympics across 58 countries I have worked with governments and businesses. I have engaged with world leaders. I have sat across the table with the EU and negotiated a better future for people with disabilities. Real change can happen. The Constitution has served the people of Ireland well since 1937; it is inextricably linked to our history and national identity. However, our Constitution, like our laws and institutions, must be subject to scrutiny, transparency and debate. There is a need to refresh and amend particular articles and introduce new ones so as to reflect the diverse, modern Irish society in which we live. Our national discourse needs to shift from markets, bonds and banks, back to what is most important: our people. I believe that there are certain
socio-economic rights that now need to be Managing Director of Special specifically included in the Constitution so Olympics Europe/Eurasia. that the fundamental rights of all citizens of Throughout my life I have althe State are afforded the greatest protection. ways looked for complete comThere are five rights or pillars which I believe mitment: a commitment to should be explicitly expressed in the Constiunlocking the potential in tution. These are: the right to food and water, every member of society, a the right to health care, the right to housing, commitment to act with inthe right to a minimum level of social assistegrity, honesty and comtance and the right to life-long learning, edu- passion, a commitment to cation and training not restricted by age. meet the challenges that I also believe that Art 44 (the religion clause) any goal worth striving for should be amended to reflect and recognise demands. This is my life’s the right of non-belief. Art 42 (the education passion. clause) also needs to be amended. I believe My approach and commiteducation should be available to people with ment to the Presidency will disabilities after the age of 18. The State must be exactly the same and my progressively realise these pillars within the promise – the only promise limits of its resources. The people of Ireland that I will make today – is should decide by way of referendum whether that in the coming weeks I such rights should be included in a revised will give my all to this camConstitution. We must first restore our pride paign, meeting people on in ourselves before we can regain respect campuses, in towns and villages and setting out my abroad. I believe that young people should play a vision for the type of role role in the office of the Presidency; I would that I would play if honas President appoint a young person to the oured with the position of Council of State. In addition, I believe that President of Ireland. young entrepreneurs should accompany the President on trade missions overseas to give them exposure to new markets, new ideas and new ways of doing business. I am standing as an independent candidate. I recognise and respect the hard work that political parties do – and for many years I have worked with governments as well as with elected representatives at council and constituency level. But I have never been a member of a political party. Instead, I come from a different background: a background that is defined not just by my roots in Mayo but by a lifetime of work with local, national and Mary Davis, independent, is international voluntary organisations, from running for the Presidency. my time as a teacher in St. Michael’s House Photo courtesy of the Davis in Ballymun to my most recent role as the campaign.
Newly appointed Provost, Dr Patrick Prendergast will be publicy interviewed by a panel of student representatives in the GMB on Monday October 3 at 6.30pm. The University Times will be on the panel. Tell us what you want us to ask him by posting a question on our Facebook wall.
Reception to follow
For previews, reports and live coverage of the new Provost’s public interview, check universitytimes.ie and follow us on Twitter @universitytimes.
The University Times
Tuesday, September 20 2011 | The University Times
14
TIMESSPORTS
The Trinity Player Moving abroad at a young age is always tough. Clubs try to make it easier, but often the dreams they sell are empty. ‘THERE WAS a scout from Melchester Rovers looking at you’ my u-14 team manager said to me whilst competing at an underage tournament in the UK. For the purpose of this article, I am using the fictional team ‘Melchester Rovers’ as the alias name of the professional club I played for some time ago. I don’t expect you daytime Trinity students to have an inkling of who Melchester were, but like any kid in my generation, we were enthusiastic readers of comic book legend – ‘Roy of the Rovers’ who plied his trade for Melchester. An absolute legend! Anyway. Having a club approach you at the age of 14 feels like the dream ticket. You have been preparing for this moment years in advance on the school playground whilst pretending to be one of your boyhood heroes like Kenny Dalglish or any of the great Liverpool team. It’s a pretty crucial age for professional clubs with regard to youth player acquisition and preparation for the awarding of apprenticeship contracts at 16 years of age u p - wards. T h e scout approached me, w i t h m y mana g e r ’s p e r mission of course. He told me how I had impressed him with my performances at this particular tournament and enquired whether I would be interested in travelling over on a trial. However, the real power of persuasion came from the fact that he handed me a signed jersey of ‘Melchester Rovers’. I was hooked. After several phone calls from the club to my parents in which the conversation went something akin to “we will look after your boy, our club is this, that and the other”, my folks seemed suitably impressed and endorsed the proposed trial across the water. Going to the UK at 14 is an exciting but daunting prospect. In fairness to the club, I was put in a decent ‘digs’ with an elderly couple who were great people. The day of the official trial game commenced, and all I remember is being extremely nervous. You arrive at the club feeling pretty dapper in your nice new shiny tracksuit only to have your thunder completely stolen by other 14 year olds wearing club blazers, shirts, ties and shiny shoes. ‘Never mind’ I said, ‘I will let my feet do the talking’. Indeed, I played very well and got decent vibes back off the management. I travelled back to Ireland grinning like a Cheshire Cat and optimistic about my future in football. A couple of weeks later, an official letter from ‘Melchester’ arrived in the post stating their intention to bring me back on a more regular basis. Th is is like gold dust for a kid and the point when the distraction of football can take over from your day to day life. Next on their agenda is to fly my parents over with the intention of pulling out all the stops so that ultimately I sign a contract with the club. Again, ‘Melchester’ were
good hosts and very courteous towards my parents. My parents were introduced to the right people and also guests at one of the home games. A meeting was setup with the high-profi le manager of the club at the time and halfway through that get together, wait for it.....a bunch of flowers come in for my mother. Classic stuff. It’s the little things like this that on the whole leave a good impression on parents and give them some security regarding their sons future. Most parents will only experience this type of situation once in their life and may not be given the full depiction of what the football world is really like. It is rare that you get two lads from the same family departing to a professional club therefore the whole schmoozing of parents generally works. On a more sinister note, I’ve heard plenty of stories of money changing hands to entice parents for permission to sign their son. Does this new found prominence affect a young kid? Yes, I believe so in the majority of cases. However, there are parents out there with their heads screwed on who will not entertain any unscrupulous approach from clubs without safeguarding their sons’ education. I was fortunate in that I was decent at school but quite honestly from the age of 14, my head had started to turn. I would go into class dreaming of bending free kicks into the top corner of the net instead of listening to my History teacher defi ne the age of Cro-Magnon man. In my opinion and in my experience, there was no real emphasis by clubs on the importance of education and having a backup plan just in case your career was short lived. I was spotted when I was 14; there are kids on the books of these professional clubs from the age of 8! So you can imagine what the effect would be on schooling even at that age. Some parents are also affected by the whole thing and naively push their kids into this environment without considering what other challenges outside football will ensue in the years ahead. The fact of the matter is this; a very low single digit percentage will have a sustained career in football. But as the clubs would sell it to you and your parents like the lottery advert: ‘it could be you’ It’s great at that age from 14 to 16 when you are travelling over to play with the professional club every so often. You pick up a jersey here and there, couple of pairs of boots, tickets to the home match and a bit of recognition back home. As I say, this is the courting period or for all intents and purposes, the seduction. You play well and you get rewarded with your YTS (Apprenticeship) contract . It is a parent’s dilemma when a club is attempting to lure the player over to the UK and in most cases before they have completed their Leaving Cert. There is also some serious emotional blackmail in existence today when threats come from the club like ‘this is his only chance’ etc. Assuming the ‘courting’ has gone well and everybody is happy; it is genuinely a great feeling to sign a football contract. Then on your fi rst day of preseaso, you learn to become a man very quickly.
On your first day of preseason, you learn to become a man very quickly.
The Trinity Player is an ex Pro
RONAN RICHARDSON: OLYMPIAN Ronan Richardson Olympian-elect
The 2012 Olympics are less than a year away, so Ronan will be trying all of the Olympic sports that College has to offer. First things first...The gym.
LIKE MOST 20-year-old males, my opinion of my physique and myself are to say the least, most flattering. Sometimes I’ve been informed on the contrary by my peers (however I think we’ll just put this down to a slight diagnosed case of jaundiced eye). Sometimes, my own self-belief falters. In which case I usually start to question my consumption of alcohol, tobacco related products, and fatty foods. Dare I go so far as to say that sometimes, I feel the urge to move, exercise, exert in some manner? Now, quite clearly and evidently from my endeavours last Hilary; Cricket perhaps wasn’t the best option for me to procure my daily dozen. An appetite for well being and a positive self aura but general lack lustre at any team based sport of any description can lead to only one solution: Trinity GYM. Darest I say, if you’re expecting a moany self-indulgent spiel, turn away… now. Unlike the infamous Cricket-gate, this time I arrived armed with runners, shorts, and a t-shirt. I even had cosmetics to use following my exertion, shampoo, soap, and a towel. Accompanying me, my avuncular colleague, Jack Leahy, to show me the ropes. One can thank god for small mercies, upon arriving I thankfully had no issues trying to get my student card to work at the scanner, hence avoiding awkward looks from staff. We ascended the hallowed stairs and entered dressing rooms which – let’s be honest – stunk. The air was dense and close; sweaty and humid. And that was only in the corridor. Inside an array of pink, white, brown, and my own grey body did nothing to quench the curious odour permeating the space. I took a deep breath and took it in my stride. I was in. As our dear friend Mr. Allen once remarked, eighty percent of success is just turning up. I already felt more healthy and vivacious, and the fun had yet to begin. Jack and I started off with a pleasant jog around college park, which was absolutely delightful. Having engaged in certain athletics as a youth, I had little problems in running the laps. We gradually increased speed which, I’m happy to remark didn’t overburden. Feeling quite cocky at my fi rst two successes I felt I could take anything that the big boy gym had to offer. My confident strut spoke extensively of this. I felt that with my build I would be vastly more capable of engaging in aerobic exercise as opposed to the lifting of heavy pieces of metal on bars. Jack being the charitable and kindly natured individual that he is insisted we do both. Starting off gently with some rowing I felt quite alive. I was getting the gym thing. I could now be one of those people who burst into the Pav at lunchtime and shout, ‘No drink for me, the GYM awaits!’ And then who leave with a flourish… I digress... So a little running, rowing, no bother. Weight machines were a different kettle of fish. I pushed, I pulled, I stretched, I strained. It all just realistically hurt and made my face puce. I looked a wee bit of a fool. I managed to push 18kg with my thighs, and thought myself impressive until I heard that Jack could do that with one calf. He said we’d had enough. A sigh of relief escaped my lips. He didn’t direct me towards the door though, but rather towards the weights. Th is was my breaking point. The sideway glances from my fellow gym frequenters were enough to steer me away towards the lighter and more manageable weights. Technique wasn’t my strong point, and come to think of it, nor was my strength, however perseverance is the key to success. After some more weights, to which I eventually accustomed myself, we spent a while making hugely unorthodox movements on a mat and called it ‘abdominal exercise’.
Ronan arrives at the Gym.
Photo: Jack Leahy
As I mentioned, contrary to past articles, this isn’t a terribly moany piece. Its aim is rather that of promoting the GYM to my fellow twigish “nerds.” I felt alive. Vivacious and healthy. However, there’s one thing that I don’t think any man can feel comfortable with, no matter how manly or macho, or non-chalant. That is the regrettable and ever present incidence of many naked lads communally showering. Sure, they’ll say they’re comfortable with this. It’s a lie! Now, don’t get my wrong, that didn’t bother me. The fact of the matter was, I sadly never returned to the GYM because I realised that sure one may feel alive afterwards, however the following the day my legs fell off. No joke.
If you have any suggestion as to other Olympic sports that I can try, please feel free to contact Sports Editor Jack Leahy ay sports@universitytimes. ie. The crueler, the better!
Next week: Ronan tries the 100m
LaValla lands Stade Francais deal Jack Leahy Sports Editor
opportunity to prove myself. “Although it is a developmental contract, I will still be training with the full squad, and have op-
US EAGLE and 2010-2011 DUFC captain Scott LaValla has been rewarded for his fi ne end-ofseason form with a develpmental contract at Parisian giants Stade Francais. LaValla, who is currently in New Zealand playing for Eddie O’Sullivan’s US Eagles at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, has earned a one-year deal that will run until the end of June 2012. The second-row completed a degree in Philosophy and Political Science at the end of the most recent academic year and has signed a one-year deal to play in France’s U23 development league for the big-spending Parisian giants famous for their eccentric choice of electric pink and/or floral patterned jerseys. ”There is an under 23s academy league in France, and I’m lucky to still be young enough that Stade Francais are willing to give me an
Scott in his colourful new kit. portunities to play for the fi rst team, with the hopes of parlaying this developmental contract into something more” said Lavalla to EaglesXV,
the website of the US Eagles national team. It is an exciting development in the career of the former sports scholar, who was selected in the Eagles’ 30-man squad on the back of a run in the fi rst-team in the Churchill Cup, a competition which pits the Eagles against Canada, England Saxons, and Ireland Wolfhounds. In related news, former DUFC and Ireland U19 prop James Gethings has signed for English Championship side Esher. Esher Director of Rugby Mike Schmid said ‘He referenced very well through our connections in Ireland and we are very pleased he has decided to join.’ ‘He seems a lovely fella (sic) and I’m sure he will fit very well into our squad. We’ve only just started training but he looks to have a good set of hands and a good work ethic. ‘We had been looking to add another prop to our squad and we got James through an agent we trust’.
DUFC storm to Scandanavian Sevens glory Matthew Rye Deputy Sports Editor WHILE MOST Trinity students divide their summers between gallivanting around Europe and periodically showing their faces at music festivals, a team of DUFC players spent a weekend in Denmark, representing Ireland in a European Rugby Sevens tournament. Not only did they represent Ireland in the competition, but they triumphed over 25 other teams from 9 countries on the road to the European club victory. The squad, which consisted of 11 players and four coaches travelled to Copenhagen in August, zto compete against some of the
most prolific Sevens Rugby teams in Europe, and capped off an undefeated tournament with a 31-21 victory against the Dutch tournament favourites Suzies Exiles. Trinity’s run at the title also included a convincing semi-fi nal victory against 2010’s English tournament winners the RAF Spitfi res. After a faultless opening pool, in which Trinity piled on more than 150 collective points and conceded none, they faced the national teams of both Latvia and Moldova in which they again impressively outscored their opponents by considerable margins. Anybody who’s watched or competed in a Sevens
tournament knows fi rsthand how physically demanding it can be. 15-aside matches generally have semi-frequent pauses, and are generally played at a much slower pace. Sevens rugby involves almost continuous sprinting, as players have to work harder to cover more of the positions. Thus, cramping and fatigue sets in much quicker, the closer the team comes to winning the competition. During the fi nal of the competition, the Trinity squad were as much battling their own fatigue as they were the opposition. Neil Hanratty and Ed Barry scored a brace each in the fi nal against Suzies, with flanker and sports
scholar Dominic Gallagher also getting on the score sheet. Patrick Lavelle, one of the five Trinity squad members to win the All-Ireland Sevens with Leinster earlier this year, said that Trinity had much to gain from particpating in similar internationally themed competitions. “It was an unbelieveable experience to play in a competition of this calibre,” said Lavelle “and for us to win it shows that we can compete against some of the better teams in Europe, and win.” He also expressed an interest to continue to play this form of the game, saying that one of the factors for their success was a higher level of speed, mostly due
to their relative youth. In his interview with Emma Tobin for The University Times, Gallagher added that the game was perfect for students and the skillset of the DUFC squad. For a team playing with much less Sevens experience than most others in the competition, DUFCs achievements are not to be taken lightly. One of the more prominent opponents this year were the Suzies Exiles, against whom Trinity faced off against twice, once in the group stages and again in the fi nal. The Exiles had been blowing the competition to smithereens on the UK and European Invitational circuits this year, winning the
Amsterdam and Kinsale tournaments in style. They also looked particlarly impressive against the other teams in Trinity’s group, until they faced off against a David Joyce led Trinity side, which shut them out in a 15-0 win for the collegiate side. DUFC also competed against the RAF Spitfi res, last year’s winners of the same competition, and the national teams from Latvia and Moldova. Th is level of competetion would be groundbreaking in many other sports.
Go to universitytimes.ie for the best RWC coerage in college journalism
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The University Times | Tuesday, September 20 2011
TIMESSPORTS
Editorial: In the spirit of Freshers’ Week, get involved! It’s Freshers’ Week. Jack Leahy addresses his potential staff base...I mean, fellow students and peers. Jack Leahy Sport Editor sports@universitytimes.ie THIS TIME last year, the sports section of The University Times was two pages long, contained three
articles, and bore an advertisement desperately announcing ‘WE NEED SPORTS WRITERS; JUST LOOK AT THE STATE OF THIS SECTION’. Th is time last year, Sports Editor Manus Cronin was desperately understaffed, and the remaining year was a struggle to stay on top of things. No one wanted to write about sports! Fast forward to this issue, and I am confident that this
is the best issue of the eight with which I have been involved. That said, while we won’t be putting out an advertisement in desperation, we’re still very much in the business of recruitment of writers and club contacts. While poor Manus was alone in staffi ng the section at the start of Volume 2, I now have an embarrassment of journalistic talent fighting tooth and nail
for precious column inches. But, I insist, we still need more. Let me explain: last year, this paper set the standard in terms of how College newspapers operate, and the sports section lagged behind. Too often, we missed out on important content because we had neither the numbers nor the collective time to manage four pages of engaging content. There are 49 sports clubs
How to talk about football Carl Kinsella Senior Sports Writer TRINITY COLLEGE is a wonderful institution full of wonderful people where all cultures are accepted, and my, is there a lot of culture here. However, in your fi rst week here, whilst you lounge around in the GMB, awestruck of the suave aura everyone else seems to carry – spare a thought for football. Spare a thought for Nike runners, and tracksuit legs, and replica jerseys because the odds are you won’t see many this year, and if you do see many, it’s because you’re seeing me on a regular enough basis. You see, football is a huge part of our culture (I promise). It’s as essential to college life as reading Samuel Beckett and pretending you get it, it’s as crucial as getting halfway through Ulysses and then giving up and reading Ross O’Carroll Kelly; it’s important. And do you want to know why it’s so important? Football is the easiest way to connect to somebody with whom you share no common ground whatsoever. Football is the best fi ller conversation is the world. Football is yet another excuse not to study. Football is something that can be enjoyed with no effort as your brain leaks out of your head after a night out. Football is the beautiful game. Five words, ‘Did you see the match?’, and you can make a new friend, and once you learn each other’s opinions on the sprawling metropolis that is the world of association football – you’re friends for life.. On the condition that you do it right. That is why I’m volunteering to explain it to you, in simple, simple, simple terms. In the hope that we too can be friends, and in the hope that your transition from Topman fashionista to football aficionado is a seamless one (you can be both, if you must). But how does one ‘do it right’? How does one preserve themselves from the laughter and mockery that ensues when you confuse Aston Villa and Andre Villas-Boas?! Don’t worry, help is on its way.
Step one: Pick your team. This is as easy as going to the Premier League website, looking at the league table, and picking one at random. I know college is a time to express your individuality, but please refrain from picking a lower league team, or picking a team from the Dutch Eredivisie. Trendy is not a concept that exists in football. Once you’ve picked your team, it’s as easy as watching one episode of Match of The Day, or Premier Soccer Saturday. The placid tones of Gary Lineker and Scottish brogue of Alan Hansen (and the grating wail of Mark Lawrenson) will talk you through your first football experience since you were twelve (when you gave up your Air Max for Chuck Taylors). Listen closely to what they have to say about your team, study each word – and now for the crucial part – disagree with them. Yes, it’s time for step two.
Step Two
Totally fabricate your own opinions on footballing issues, all that matters is that they make sense. Football is a debating table of stock arguments, where we all dispute which player is better than the other, which team will win which match, who will the win the various competitions and which player will sign for which team. It’s very algebraic in its way. From time to time, we hit upon some new issues such as – ‘Should Joey Barton be in prison?’ or ‘Is that John Terry’s car parked outside my girlfriend’s apartment?’, but if you pay close attention to the UT website, such new introductions to the football agenda shall not pass you by (I promise, again). It should be noted that there a few questions in football, upon which everyone agrees, a few clichés if you will, that will help you get by (their truth is unimportant, their acceptance is unavoidable). Manchester United get preferential treatment by the referees, Manchester City are the first team to ever buy a trophy and for that we should despise them, Liverpool will never win anything again, and if FIFA (football’s governing body) have made a decision, it is the wrong decision. World Cup in Qatar, no goal-line technology, the FIFA world rankings that have England at 4th and Spain anywhere that isn’t 1st – all to be viciously berated by you, the new football genius. Please feel free to expand upon this basic, somewhat mythical knowledge.
Step three: Go mental when somebody disagrees with what you have to say, belittle them cruelly when their team loses, and learn to harbour deep resentment for your team – because you’re about to get belittled out of your mind when they lose. The best reasons to pay attention to which players are good and which players are bad is so you can make predictions at the start of every footballing weekend. The reason we make predictions? So we can look like imperious legends who know everything about football. People will revere you, fear you, ask your opinion on things and you’ll make your best guess again and hope the results go your way 3pm every Saturday. Don’t ever relent, or doubt yourself. Once you’ve settled on a track, stick to it. You think Ronaldo is better than Messi? Your view can never change. Th is is football, not something silly like politics or religion, and the fi rst thing you say out loud about a player or team is what you will be held to for the rest of your natural born life. Th row caution to the wind, though. Football is not a game where sitting on the fence is tolerated. Kneejerk reactions are the foundation of fandom. Barcelona, champions of Spain, Europe, and planet Earth have drawn their last two competitive matches. Say they’re in a downward spiral. I dare you. Did you say it? Say it to somebody, they’ll totally lose the rag at you – but once the red mist dissipates, you’ll have a new face to nod to as your fi nd your way around this week. Most importantly, just enjoy it.
in Trinity, Olympic hopefuls, Colours champions, and future internationals (See Dominic Gallagher’s interview with Emma Tobin!) and we need to cover it all. There’s a lot. For those of you suffering the fi rst College hangover of many and using this newspaper as a light-blocker, put it down and fi ll up on Red Bull shots. If you’re looking to get involved, welcome aboard! You can take
our back-page dedication to one of College’s top sportsmen as a statement of intent for this year: we want to cover College sports comprehensively, in all their Bavsoaked glory. Don’t worry about how good you think you are, because College is for perfecting budding talents. Hard workers make the best journalists, and we’re always looking for hard workers. Of course we’ll also have
room for features too. To digress slightly, I’m really excited about our ‘Trinity Player’ feature. The enigma at work has bags of experience and will share some of that with us every issue. Seeing my pipe-smoking, tweed jacket-wearing friend Ronan Richardson engage himself in Olympic sports is the stuff that gets me out of bed in the morning. Our mission is simple, yet ambitious: to be the absolute
best at covering College sports. You are reading the sports pages of the best student newspaper in Ireland, but not necessarily the best student sports pages in Ireland. For me, that title belongs elsewhere. Come join us and change that, won’t you? I certainly intend to.
Want to get involved? E-mail sports@universitytimes.ie now!
Man about horse Jack Cantillon Senior Staff Writer and Auditor of Trinity Horse Racing Free entry to the Curragh, our very own racehorse and what absolutely has to be Trinity’s first ever Donkey Derby - welcome to the mad world of the Trinity Horse Racing Society. HORSE RACING is my sport. I was at my fi rst race meeting when I was 7 days old. I had my fi rst bet when I was 3. I spent my communion money, not on Lego, but buying a share in a horse, well in reality more like a few hairs of his backside tail. Quite simply, I love horses. There’s only one problem, horses don’t love me back. You see, I’m allergic to horses. 5 minutes in a barn and I’ve gone all red eyed, swelled u p and I’m sneezing like a madman. I can’t go near them unless I’m drugged up to the nines. Th is has meant I’ve spent a lifetime on the sidelines. I live on a stud farm, I go to the races every week and I’m at the horse sales every month. I’m the guy who sees but can’t touch. It’s like being told you’re marrying Megan Fox but you’re sleeping in separate beds. It wrecks my head but it hasn’t stopped me falling in love with a game I’ve been surrounded by since I was born. So this year I decided to take action. If I can love a game that actually makes me sick I don’t how the people of Trinity College can’t fall head over heels with the sports of kings. At least they can touch the bloody things. So with a big team of people behind me, we set up the TCD Horse Racing Society. We don’t care if you don’t know the back end of a horse from the front end of a horse. We want to bring people racing that have never been before and help them discover the only sport that Ireland is the best in the world at. We’ve got a committee of 10 people, 4 of which don’t have a clue about racing but that doesn’t matter we’re here for the craic, the laugh and backing a few winners. We’ve also got another group of 15 people entitled the “Hype Committee”. Th is committee is formed of people from every corner of TCD whose sole job is to spread the word about the Society and get people racing. They’ve no power but they don’t care, they just want to help spread the gospel according to Willie Mullins. So what are we going to do? We’re a Horse Racing Society so where better to start than a Trinity College Racehorse? That’s right, Trinity College is going to have its own racehorse this year. It’s name? We’re going to let you decide. Th roughout Fresher’s week we’ll be running a competition to name Trinity’s fi rst every racehorse. So whether it’s “The Pav Pretender” or “Front Arch Favourite”, Trinity’s
will be roaring home its own horse this year. Who knows we might even be roaring him up that Cheltenham Hill. Let the dreaming begin. We’re also running a Dublin Student Raceday this year. Th is will be a day organized by students for students unlike nothing ever seen before. It’s going to be for all the colleges in Dublin to come along and experience a day at the races and a night out afterwards all rolled into one package. We’re going to be running a huge best dressed competition and creating the new Mecca for students racing in Ireland. It’s going to be mental and it’s coming to Leopardstown on Wednesday evening of the 28th of March. We don’t take ourselves too seriously in Horse Racing Soc so a Trinity College Donkey Derby, a “Canter Banter” magazine and more clubs nights than Ruby Walsh has ridden winners at Cheltenham are all on the cards for next year. We’re not going to totally forget our Racing diehards either with Guest Speakers, a Cheltenham Preview night and stable and stud visits all being organized. We’re going to be hugely active and but if we’re not being active enough help is at hand. Our membership cards which cost 2 euro get you free into both the Curragh (excluding Derby Day) and Naas racecourse for every race meeting this year and next. That’s a value of over 200 euro and over 40 race meetings for 2 euro. So don’t come to complaining to us if our monthly trips to the races aren’t enough. We’ve got you almost a free race meeti n g a week to keep you happy. If that’s still not enough check out our packed goodie bags with a free memory stick to sweeten the deal. I know Horse Racing is the best sport in the world; I’m just waiting for you to fi nd out. Just do me a favor, remind me to take my tablets, or a trip to the races with me could be like a trip to the circus with the Elephant man.
We want to help people discover the only sport at which Ireland is the best in the world.
Interview with Trinity rugby captain Dominic Gallagher Continued from back page And that’s it. There are no detailed descriptions of victory or gloating, simple humility and joy in the win. His positive experiences of seven aside hasn’t dented his love for the complete 15 man game though. “15s is just a much more complete game. Sevens is enjoyable, but 15s, I’ve always liked that every single body type can play it. Tall ones, small scrum halves,” then sheepishly adding “even the short fat props.” It has everything. I love getting stuck into the break-down, it’s my favourite part of the game and it’s much more prominent in 15s.” Gallagher’s commitment to the game is beyond dispute. Starting at the age of 13 and coming up through the club circuit, he has been involved in the Ulster Academy for some years now. Playing for their U18’s and U20’s teams, he’s now joined up with the Ravens, Ulster’s reserve team. But with this dedication comes intense,physically gruelling training. “When we got back from the world cup I got three to four weeks off, which is decent by rugby standard law. Afterwards I was back in training with preseason ulster seniors and the academy. It was so intense. We trained nine times a week, with a full programme and a full squad. I really enjoyed it, but there was this constant fear of dropping ball with seniors and professional around.” Of course, once college starts back up the balancing act between College, Trinity Rugby and Ulster begins. “Ulster send gym schedules down for me. It’s about four gym session a week, and I train twice
on Tuesday and Thursday, with a match on Saturday.” Unlike previous years, where the U18’s and U20’s season fi nishes in the summer, The Ravens are still ongoing. Th is means that Gallagher will be commuting up to Ulster every Tuesday to train. The growing physicality of the game is just another aspect of rugby that a hopeful player must deal with. And with this comes the need for ever stronger, ever faster players. “Since rugby turned professional, everyone has become huge. A centre nowadays would b e heavy enough to play a prop back in the 70’s. Since going pro it’s gone that way so everyone just fi lls themselves with all these supplements and gym work. At some point you just have to have that weight to get the momentum for the tackles and the knocks. If you’re holding a rook, you have to be able to hold your own.” “Thankfully I don’t need to get as big as other players that are 17stone. I can compensate in other areas. My game isn’t bashing people or running into them. It’s beating them in the breakdown, making turn overs, making tackles. There is a certain level you have to reach though. My coach would want me to get to about 102-104kilos. It’s doable but it’ll take a while, give it another two years. You don’t want to put it all on at once, steadily is much better, useful muscle, you can incorporate it into your game, and you can move with it. I’ve already gained about 10kg since I came to Trinity so that’s the plan.”
One such bulk building training programme he’s done recently was with former DUFC player, USA international and newly signed Stade Francais player Scott Lavalla before the world cup. Called the Hyper Trophy, the regime starts to sound like torture 3 seconds into his description and not the Power Rangers game I was imagining. “It’s this really awful gym routine with
Scott LaValla is the most focused person I know. If anyone is going to make it, it’s him. 5x15 reps on everything, 5 different exercises, five days a week. I did it for a month, and there’s two hours each s e s sion. It’s soul destroying. The gym has the same music track going all the time every day of the week and you’re just like I KNOW WHATS COMING NEXT. It’s awful. During that time I was whinging away and crying for the whole
month. There was only one point where Scott said ‘this is brutal’. Apart from that he doesn’t ever let a complaint escape his lips.” Lavalla’s success and as a person comes across as someone Gallagher really admires. “We’ve lost a big player in Scott. I think he’ll really do well though. He’s the most focused person I know. For example, he went over on his ankle a week before colours and we all thought this is awful, we all thought he’d be crying. Well no not crying, Scott doesn’t cry. But we all expected self-pity or whinging, but he just started laughing. Literally, just on the floor laughing. It was one of the scariest sights I’ve ever seen.” “He’s a great athlete. I think he did a 1500m run with Stade, the whole squad, seniors and all and he won it by 18 seconds, which is ridiculous, especially for a man of his size. He’s about seventeen and a half stone! If anyone is going to make it, it’s him.” In terms of the next few months, hopes are high to avoid some of last year’s unlucky breaks and defeats, defeats that undermined a promising squad’s aspirations for league title glory. “We’ve a match against Cambridge in September, on a Saturday afternoon. Just putting in some extra publicity ye know? But beat them last year so I’m looking forward to that. I’d really want to focus on the AIL league too. UCD got promoted, despite the fact that we beat them. Did I mention we beat them in colours? That was a good match.” ‘Last season, we’d mid table fi nish. It wasn’t the best. We had a lot of bad luck. There was three matches in a row where you had to kick to win it and missed. It was no-ones fault but bad
luck and not being clinical enough. If you look back on the table we ended up with seven loosing bonus points.’ “We also beat Queen’s, Oxford on top of others. For the big one off matches, we always pulled it out and produced it. We’ve lost big players, like Scot and James Gettings. He’s gone off to play in the First Division in England with Eshire. But there’s always a big turnover in college rugby. I’m only down today for my fi rst raining with the lads, but the ambition has to be to win the league.’” From a long term perspective, Gallagher’s outlook is one of maturity and hard work. He is focused, knows where he wants to go, and has a timeframe for it. “I’ve a few years left in college. After that I’d be hoping to make Ulster. Then Ireland within two years of that. That’s the dream at least anyway.” Which brings us at last to one last vital piece of information. Just how much time will be spent yelling at matches from the Rugby World Cup. “I’ll be watching all the Ireland matches without a doubt. And all the fi nals. And anyone I can really. I’m thinking Australia will win. But I would like NZ to win. If they don’t win they might just quit rugby at this point. They’d just be fed up. It all depends on Dan Carter on the day. McCaw as well.” Ireland should make it out of the Group stages. I don’t see them going much farther than that. But I do really, really hope England don’t play their usual horrible rugby and grind their way to a fi nal. That’d make me sick.”
UTsports Twitter: @Sports_UT
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Inside
DUFC win Scandanavian Sevens
Aiming for a life in green
DUFC’s U20 international chats with Emma Tobin about international ambitions, Scott LaValla, Sevens, and more Emma Tobin Senior Staff Writer HAVING STARED down three international teams, earning him 3 Ireland U20’s caps, it goes without saying that Dominic Gallagher is one of Trinity’s rising rugby stars. After being made to pose in the rain in yonder, photo-shopped photo, without any complaint and with a friendly disposition, he was wonderfully willing to have a chat about various rugby related things. We still felt the need to give him a tea for his rain soaked troubles.
First on the agenda, Trinities success at the European/Copenhagen Seven’s Tournament at the start of the summer. ‘Well, to start with, Ireland doesn’t actually have a Rugby Sevens team on the circuit, which is pretty disappointing. And, since the game is being introduced into the Olympics in 2016, the IRB has started building up popularity [for it] from the grass roots. At the end of last summer, there was a Seven’s tournament in each province. We [The Trinity Team] made it through Leinster, to the all-Ireland final. We ending up winning and got through to the Scandinavia
competition in Copenhagen. All expenses paid.’ His humility in talking about success and quickly becomes a recurring theme. Unless it’s against UCD, but more about that later. ‘We’re [Trinity] very good at sevens. It really suits university rugby. It takes time to fill out and get the physicality needed for senior levels, you can do it but it takes time. Sevens is more about speed and skill and it really suits 21 one year olds down to the ground. We’re lucking in that we’ve a really great team. At the competition there were teams from all over Europe
- France, England, lots of Scandinavian teams, even the Moldovan and Latvian National Teams.’ ‘We’d four matches first day, seven minutes each half. We won the first three. Cruised it I guess, 50+ scores to zero. The top teams besides us was Susies Exiles’. (A very successful sevens clubs team from England) ‘We just laid into them. We can play Championship rugby but we played with fire and passion that day. They couldn’t hack it at the break down, we destroyed them. They even flew out a player from England to compete in the match
the next day. There were another 4 matches the next day and the split in the matches was that we’d to play the Moldovan and Latvia teams. And then the RAF Spitfires. Which really are a team from the RAF’ he quickly clarified, ‘they’re pretty solid, but they don’t play with weapons or anything.’ ‘Anyway, we beat them and met Susie’s in the final. We’d played seven matches already and we were wrecked. The final was ten minutes each half. They got the lead, then we got the lead, and we finally got them in the end and won it. We were delighted.’