Irish Student Newspaper of the Year 2008

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Tuesday 28 October 2008 www.trinitynews.ie Issue 3, Volume 55 The day the student voice was heard “A callous and cynical attempt by Government”

SHANE KELLY PRESIDENT OF USI

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22nd 2008, This coming Wednesday, teachers will forever stand out in the history of unions and parents will gather outside the student movement in Ireland. 0ver the Dáil, to highlight their anger at 15,000 students took to the streets of the series of cuts planned for our Dublin, to protest at what we believe is primary and secondary schools. We as the callous and cynical attempt by the students will stand with our parents government to plug the hole in public and our younger brothers and sisters funding of our universities. and demand an education system that Over 5,000 Trinity students turned works at all levels, from primary right out in a show of support for their through to third level. national union. Such large numbers If the politicians continue to ignore have pricked the attention of the us, we will wait in the long grass of the government parties, and the Minister local and European elections and we for Education in particular. Students will take them down. We as students have spoken, and with one voice must now build on the success of our have declared, we will not be made show of strength. A long and sustained scapegoats by this government for a campaign is now planned. Your decade of waste and under-investment support and involvement will be vital Trinity students marched to O’Connell Street where they met other students from around the country before descending on Leinster House. Photo: Cian Clarke in our higher education system. if we are to succeed.

By Rory O’Connor “Fees r bad lol”. participating universities gave speeches speeches at Leinster House were made Trinity students congregated in Front on a large stage at the top of the street. by Union of Students in Ireland President CONOR JAMES MCKINNEY Square before setting off up to O’Connell The demonstration comes as part of Shane Kelly and the Labour Party STUDENTS FROM Dublin colleges Street to meet hundreds of other students a wave of student protest against fees. education spokesman Ruairi Quinn. CLEARLY, WE students are starved as a psychadelic “Make Love Not Fees” took to the streets against the proposed 5,000 protested in Cork on 10 October Mr Kelly said part of the reason for the of creative outlets. If one were to heed banner made its appearance; and while reintroduction of college fees last O’Keefe’s inability with others doing likewise in Galway rally was that the Minister for Education these Students’ Union types, we’d be punning on the word “fee” is quite a Wednesday. Gardaí estimated an to meet student and Limerick. Last week, UCD students Batt O’Keeffe would not discuss the matter starved in a more literal sense should feat,“Not Feesible” was another strong attendance of 15,000 protestors at the leaders was cited by attempted to block the Minister for with student representatives. College the Government have its wicked showing. “Stop Robbin’ Us, Battman” rally. the USI as a reason Finance Brian Lenihan’s entry into the heads also have found the Minister slow way with fees, which is why some of was a clever one – in stark contrast The protest passed off peacefully and for the march Clinton Institute on the Belfi eld Campus to commit to meetings, despite a request that surplus energy has of late been to those louts urging the Minister with general high spirits. Serious chants where he was due to chair a function. from the UCD president Dr Hugh Brady. channelled into placard manufacture. to shove his reform up unprintable of “more fees means less degrees” were from Dublin universities at Parnell Square. Three UCD students were arrested “He is very happy asking for our After all, if you’re going to protest, you places. For all the quality on display, it combined with humorous chants of The large crowd then turned back on itself during the protest for breaches of the money but he doesn’t want to listen to wouldn’t want to be shown up by the was the plainitive “But I Already Spent “Down with this sort of thing... careful to pass Trinity once more and continued peace when they attempted to break what we have to say on the subject. We old folks. Indeed, the pensioners that All My Money On This Sign” that won now”. Official TCD Student Union along Nassau Street. When the protest through a metal fence that surrounded are here as the second biggest union in thronged the streets may have felt a the affections of this jaded hack – but placards said “Education is a right, not reached Leinster House, politicians and the building. few pangs of nostalgia for the Sixties, could yer man see it from China? a privilege”. One unoffi cial placard read Students’ Union representatives from During Wednesday’s protest, the Continued on page 2 No extended opening Slip-ups at Comedy Soc roller disco

By Deirdre Robertson said that the problems were nothing College News Editor to do with health and safety. When for Library this term asked whether alcohol and skating is a SOME STUDENTS were left good idea Mr Kearns said the Comedy diappointed last week when the DU Society had enquired into the risks and By Dave Molloy Librarian Jessie Kurtz. Comedy Society Roller Disco ran out of found that “Roller Disco” had a very low “The Library Committee reviewed the the mildly essential roller skates early track record of injuries at their events. position at its May meeting and agreed on in the night. Chair of Comedy Society Railings in The Dandelion were even MANY STUDENTS have been left that the additional opening be retained Robert Kearns acknowledged there were bubble wrapped. confused on fi nding the library closed on for the BLU Libraries, and extended to the some problems but disagrees with those Although the skates were recalled at Sundays. Despite a very public Students’ Hamilton Library in Michaelmas term, on who say the night was a disaster. 12:30am, Mr Kearns said that the club Union campaign last year which resulted the basis that the Senior Lecturer take the The Roller Disco was hosted by SU was full until 2:30am and that the roller in Sunday opening times, the decision issue of ongoing costs for consideration Ents and the Comedy Soc on Tuesday disco aspect of the night did not seem appears to have been retracted this year. by Executive Offi cers,” Ms Kurtz told 14th October in the Dandelion Club. to affect most students. He noted that A fi nal decision on the future of library Trinity News. “As the Library Committee The club was booked to hold 900 around 500 people were able to skate opening hours is due at the end of the clearly expressed its concern at the effect people and tickets sold out on the and there were only 50-60 students who month, the college has confi rmed. of a continuing commitment on the Book day with students paying €8 each to wanted to skate but couldn’t. The libraries have reduced their Budget, therefore at this time the Library attend the night. However, according A complaints forum has been set hours since last year, with no Sunday is not in a position to undertake the to some students who attended, the up in House 6 but so far Mr Kearns opening hours scheduled for Michaelmas extended opening in Michaelmas term.” night was overcrowded and at 10:30 The scene in Dandelion nightclub during the Roller Disco. has only received 7 complaints asking term. The library’s website subtitles the The idea of last year’s opening hours the queues outside the door were so for a refund. One student disputes this opening hours for the remainder of the being a “trial run” is something that is long that anyone without a ticket was without a pair of skates. Ms Hassett said Soc and SU Ents asking them to host saying she made a complaint but was not year as “subject to revision.” contested by the Student’s Union. “There told to come back at midnight. One that at 12:30 the music was turned down the night. According to Mr. Kearns the refunded. She also believed that “most Last year, a pilot scheme was put in was a trial run last year that was very student commented that the club was so low she could barely hear it and the venue was large enough for 1,000 people people won’t bother complaining”. place to open the BLU library complex successful and as a result, it was agreed so crowded she couldn’t move and the DJ kept repeating that everyone had to and the club wanted that many guests Mr Kearns commented that Comedy on Sundays, the cost of which was borne that the libraries would be open on line for roller skates was so long that give back the skates before they could but the Comedy Society decided to sell Soc are currently in discussion with by the library budget. The numbers Sundays on a regular basis,” said Student’s she didn’t bother to attempt it. Another continue to party. Mr. Kearns said he only 900 tickets so people would have “Roller Disco” as they are unwilling to of students using the facilities was Union President Cathal Reilly. “Now the student, Sarah-Louise Hassett, described did not hear or notice that the music was room to move. Things got “a little messy’ pay the management company “due to monitored throughout Michelmas term, library is saying that it is still waiting the night as “dire, really appalling” as turned off. at 12:30 when it emerged that “Roller their inability to provide the promised with the result that Sunday opening was on the executive offi cers to propose a she arrived at 11:15 and by 12:30 the Mr. Kearns said “it wasn’t a Disco” couldn’t cater to 900 people level of service”. Mr. Kearns hopes extended to the Hamilton library by the longer-term funding scheme. Why the Roller Disco part of the night was over. perfect night” but he disagreed that as the Comedy Soc had been told and that the fee which would have paid end of the year. same system as last year cannot be used Another student agreed with this large crowds of students were left queues for skates became dangerous as the company will instead be used to However, the Library is still awaiting and why the executive offi cers haven’t opinion saying she left early because disappointed. He explained that the they snaked across the dancefl oor. subsidise ticket prices for later events a decision from the college’s executive already done this is beyond me. I have put there were not enough skates for Dandelion Club booked an event One student speculated that the this term. He says due to this students offi cers to approve continued funding for pressure on authorities to go through the everybody and at the start of the night management company called “Roller skates had been recalled because “a will be able to see comedian Ardal this and future years, according to Deputy process as early as possible.” she wasn’t allowed on the dancefl oor Disco” and then approached the Comedy girl skulled herself” but Mr. Kearns O’Hanlon for a reduced price of €8. TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS Tuesday, October 14, 2008 2 NEWS October 28, 2008

“Why the same system as last year cannot be used is “At least the Scholars were safe” “None whatsoever” beyond me” » One Scholar who attended the fi re safety talks for » Labour education spokesman »Students’ Union President Cathal Reilly on the current THIS FORTNIGHT residents this week. The talk for non-Scholars presented Ruairi Quinn describes the negotiations with College over Sunday library opening a fi re hazard with students crowding the emergency exits. chances of the Governement times. repealing the decision on the THEY SAID... “If you inherit your political leanings from increase in the registration fee. “A car is an inanimate what some rock band says, you’ve got object, it doesn’t harm some problems” “Bective had everything going anyone if it’s bombed” »Buzz Osborne of grunge godfathers for them” »National Animal Rights. ‘The Melvins’. » Provost of Trinity College and Association spokeswoman keen rugby fan Dr. John Hegarty Laura Broxson defending “I’ve done this twice before; for proffers his expert assessment of the association’s tactics. Compiled by Victor Jones Rosin Ingle, for Ross O’Carroll the damp match played in College Park last Saturday. Kelly and [now] for Bertie Ahern. “Typically, when you saw someone in half, you A friend of mine suggested I play “Stop robin us Battman” would have a box, but we have no box. We saw “Scrubs has been a hit over here, but ‘shag, shoot or marry’. My instant » One of the many signs and placards seen at last from his crotch right up to his neck. After we saw not so much back home. I mean, a lot of response was I’d shoot Roisn Wednesday’s march to Leinster House on the issue him in half, we split him in half” people aren’t even aware it exists” Ingle which left me in an awkward of fees. Students took some creative license with their » Joe Daly, creator and star of Magick Macabre on his »John C. McGinley, who plays Dr. Perry Cox in position for the other two names” placards, deviating from USI’s “education is a right, not a act. TV’s Scrubs. » History lecturer Patrick Geoghegan on privilege” slogan. being called on to replace Hist speakers. NUMEROLOGY 15,000 march on Leinster House

continued from page 1 those qualifying are often late in coming, and there are borderline cases where Compiled by Victor Jones the country demanding to meet with the families might be slightly too well-off to Minister and his Department,” Mr Kelly obtain a grant. said after the rally. “I’m protesting for my little sister,” The demonstration “just shows how said Aedin Clynes, a fourth-year student. many students value free access to Many lecturers were supportive of 15,000 education and how wrong the Government the students. Countering concerns about would be to reverse the decision to bring lack of funds for university research, »The estimated number of students who attended the protest against third- in free fees,” Mr Quinn said. Paul Horan, a Lecturer in the School level fees on Wednesday 22nd October. The speakers were diffi cult to hear of Nursing, said “If fees go through, even from quite close to their position at you can say goodbye to the knowledge the Leinster House end of Molesworth economy.” Street. The tannoy system was simply He pointed to his own experience of a loud-hailer. However, as a show being fi nancially unable to train as a nurse 15 of numbers, the demonstration was in Ireland and having to move to England. effective. City-centre traffi c came to a He had been lucky, he said. With fees, the » The number of rooms that the Accommodation Offi ce say have been left halt, with buses on College Green and Government “would be abandoning the vacant during the recent Rubrics renovations Burgh Quay simply abandoned. jewels of this country.” Wednesday was a day of numerous All the Trinity College branches of large-scale demonstrations as 15,000 Students assembled in Front Square before the march. Photo: Brian Martin the political parties were very visibly pensioners also came out in force in represented in Front Square before protest at the removal of automatic €7 million funding defi cit this year. Australian system which USI recently the march began, with the exception of 600 entitlement to medical cards for over- Mr Hegarty stated that it was described as “illogical and short sighted”. Fianna Fáil. 70s. The two groups of protestors were important to ensure those unable to Dr Hegarty merely stated, “I have not A Green Party member said the » The amount that the 2008 Budget has increased the university registration largely supportive of each other. afford fees did not have to pay upfront. proposed the Australian system.” party as a whole was opposed to college fee for 2009/10. Trinity College Provost Dr John The college heads also believe heavy fees Students were opposed to all forms fees. Green Party students’ protests Hegarty surveyed the demonstration on on the highly wealthy could result in a of fees, with many pointing to the were no embarrassment to the Greens Nassau Street. He called it “fantastic,” brain drain to colleges overseas. registration fee as a de facto college fee. in government, he said. “Greens are and said “students have every right to College leaders believe that those The Minister for Education, Batt O’Keeffe fi ghting from the inside: you don’t do it protest”. who benefit from college education has increased the registration fee, as an by screaming and shouting,” he added. 10 However he said the protests had should pay for it once they reach an interim measure, by roughly €600 to A Young Fine Gael member rejected the not changed his views. Dr Hegarty and income threshold. “Deferred fees are still nearly €1600. suggestion by former EU commissioner » The percentage that food prices have gone up in venues run by College other college heads favour a student preferable to immediate payment,” Dr Many students also raised the other Peter Sutherland that the party adopt Catering. loan scheme with the introduction of Hegarty told Trinity News. expenses of college life, such as the costs a “Tallaght strategy,” whereby it would third level fees. The Provost recently told The system of loans the college heads of accommodation for those living away support the Government to remove party- Trinity College staff that the College has a have proposed has been compared to the from home. Local authority grants for political rivalry, as “absurd.” CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS

While recognising that College societies may sometimes stray beyond their offi cial raisons d’etre to pursue a wider range of interests, we were incor- rect to report in our last issue that the Literary Society was hosting a “Boob Rubrics renovations keep residents out Club” (What’s on this coming fortnight, page 9, October 14). They had, of course, settled for a Book Club. By Niall O’Brien how many more on-campus student Dr Gerald Morgan has not been suspended from teaching, as we incor- rooms have been left uninhabited since rectly reported in the article titled “No classes during Morgan hearing” the start of the academic year. published on October 14. At the request of Dr Morgan he has been grant- STUDENT RESIDENTS of the Rubrics The students will receive no ed study leave for Michaelmas Term 2008 and alternative arrangements building, having been told that they would compensation for being deprived of for teaching have been put in place for the term. Also, the College never be able to move into their accommodation their Rubrics accommodation. The brought Dr Gerald Morgan to either the High Court or Supreme Court. In by the 1st of October, are still waiting AO states that the offer of alternative December 2002, disciplinary proceedings under the College statutes were to be admitted. This follows extensive accommodation due to the Rubrics project invoked against Dr Morgan. Dr Morgan issued High Court proceedings renovations which have taken place on “is within the terms of the Conditions of seeking to injunct a disciplinary hearing in respect of those charges. He was the Rubrics over the past few months. Occupancy which the residents accept” unsuccessful in this regard in the High Court and Supreme Court. The renovation works were originally and, therefore, there has been “no breach supposed to be purely external, involving of the Conditions”. Students who are repairs to damaged brickwork, windows currently occupying inferior rooms will and roof tops as well as the building Scaffolding envelops the Rubrics as they get a face-lift. Photo: Rachel Kennedy not however be charged the higher rent INFORMATION being painted and cleaned. However, of their Rubrics rooms in the interim. the Accommodation Office (AO) then with keys to alternative on-campus The AO claims that “15 student places Trinity News has been assured that the EDITOR: Martin McKenna decided that the student rooms would be accommodation. “I was never actually have been left vacant'” throughout the student rooms in the Rubrics will be DEPUTY EDITOR: Anna Stein kept empty in order to “lay new fl ooring told that the rooms wouldn't be ready for course of the project. When asked why available from next week. WEBSITE: Stuart Martin in rooms, kitchens, showers, and toilets the start of term”, one student resident of this alternative student accommodation While student residents have been BUSINESS MANAGER: Lia Prendergast and to provide new desks, chairs and the Rubrics said. When the student asked was left vacant in the fi rst place, the AO vacated from their rooms in Rubrics, most, COPY EDITORS: Tom Lowe some other furnishing”. This decision, when she would be able to move into the replied that “these alternative rooms if not all, staff residents have continued Nick Beard which residents of the Rubrics contacted Rubrics building, the AO representative became available when rooms were to occupy their rooms. Some temporary Kara Furr by Trinity News claim not to have been replied that she would be “e-mailed declined or returned by those who were relocations of staff did take place during Kiera Healy informed of, has apparently delayed when they know” and that it would allocated rooms” and insisted that the August and September, but they have Ruth Mahony them from availing of their pre-agreed “probably be within two weeks”. The return of rooms around September is a since returned. The AO emphasised that PHOTOGRAPHS: Rachel Kennedy accommodation for over three weeks. student was obliged to accept alternative “normal phenomenon”. The AO maintains “staff residents have shown considerable COLLEGE NEWS: Deirdre Robertson When student residents of the accommodation in New Square until her that “after the situation normalises”, any goodwill and forbearance during the NATIONAL NEWS: Una Geary Rubrics entered the offi ce on October Rubrics room was available. Three weeks vacant rooms will be offered “to students project”. No similar reference was made INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Kasia Mychajlowycz 1st, expecting to pick up their keys for have past by and the student has still not who have previously applied” for them. to the goodwill and forbearance of the NEWS FEATURES: Deirdre Lennon their Rubrics rooms, they were presented been contacted. This does, however, call into question students. FEATURES: Emily Monk OPINION: Aoife Crowley WORLD REVIEW: Aaron Mulvihill TRAVEL: Derek Larney BUSINESS: Grace Walsh SCIENCE: Luke Maishman Conor James McKinney Ten students fi lming reality show COLLEGE SPORT: TN2 EDITOR: Hugh McCafferty FILM: Michael Armstrong MUSIC: Steven Lydon By Deirdre Robertson fi lming which occasionally takes place on The 10 contestants are battling each participants “are obviously competing, FASHION: Patrice Murphy College News Editor campus. other for a large cash prize but Mr. but we’re looking on to see exactly how BOOKS: Jean Morley Mr. Kinane came up with the idea Kinane was reluctant to reveal any details lowly students actually get along when THEATRE: Kathy Clarke TRINITY COLLEGE’S first reality of a reality show that is a mix of ‘The about how much they could expect. He there’s a prize like this involved! What ART: Caroline O’Leary television show will hit the screen in Apprentice’ and ‘Survior’ but in order to would only say that the prize “is enough would they or wouldn’t they do for such FOOD AND DRINK: Melanie O’Reilly January but “it’s not as trashy as it provide extra entertainment he picked a thing?” He continued, “as they get used sounds” according to creater/producer/ contestants “on the basis of their college 10 contestants, 8 to the cameras around them, the layers All Trinity News staff can be contacted on director Ian Kinane. The show is a DU profi le.” clues, 1 winner: of their personalities are stripped back to fi [email protected]. Filmmakers project. It is an 8 part series He cast the show in May “with the idea Trinity’s upcoming reveal what they’re like at the core. How which is being fi lmed this term and will be of generating controversy in mind.” Out of reality show “The they play this game is a good refl ection Trinity News is funded by a grant from DU Publications Committee. This shown week by week starting in January. 50-60 responses he chose 10 contestants Hunt” as described of themselves. Also, knowing that their publication claims no special rights or privileges. Serious complaints should ‘The Hunt’ shows “10 contestants considered most likely to draw in a by the organisers peers will eventually watch the footage, be addressed to: The Editor, Trinity News, 6 Trinity College, Dublin 2. Ap- battling it out to solve cryptic clues to take large audience and provide dramatic does this effect how they interact with peals may be directed to the Press Council of Ireland. them all over Dublin in search of a prize.” entertainment to those watching. to keep 10 students running around in strangers?” Each week the winning team will select Two weeks of the programme have the rain”. Likewise, he refused to hint at Mindgames, rumours and rifts have Trinity News is a full participating member of the Press a member from the losing team to leave already been fi lmed and according to who the contestants are. When casting, already made an impact on participants, Council of Ireland and supports the Offi ce of the Press the competition, until there are just three Mr. Kinane “already there have been he informed participants that they could particularly as these are all students who Ombudsman. This scheme in addition to defending contestants, who will battle it out to solve sparks fl ying, a lot of personal attacks not tell anybody they were involved or will have to return to the same college the freedom of the press, offers readers a quick, fair a fi nal clue. Ian Kinane was the founder on people and some have brought the they would be taken out of the show. reality together. A potential love interest and free method of dealing with complaints that they of the project which he runs alongside game to a spiteful level.” He is hoping the While Mr Kinane sees the show between two cast members has added a may have in relation to articles that appear on our Eoin Maher, head of Filmmakers, programme will generate enough interest as primarily a fun contest and further layer of interest to the show. pages. To contact the Offi ce of the Press Ombudsman and Lisa MacNamee who Mr. Kinane to put on a weekly screening in the Arts entertainment for students, he also sees it A teaser trailer of “The Hunt” has go to www.pressombudsman.ie describes as “the real force behind it.” Building but Filmmakers have not yet as a psychological game. He believes that already been released and will be shown The Central Societies Committee have sought permission from the College to Filmmakers are setting up an interesting on the DU Filmmakers YouTube page also been involved helping to facilitate do so. social experiment and points out that the within the next few days. TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS Tuesday, October 14, 2008 October 28, 2008 NEWS 3 Anti-vivisection protesters solicit evidence

By Naomi O’Leary activity. The ALF has been named he rigged a car to explode, throwing animal rights campaign in protest against investigation has revealed. Broxson has releveant photos/footage of animal the “most serious domestic terrorist another bomb into a nearby family garden the university’s lab testing. Oxford had been behind the release of communiqués experimentation at Trinity College. Let’s threat within the United Kingdom” by during his fl ight from the police. NARA won an injunction against the protesters she claims were passed on to NARA from expose Trinity College’s hidden shame”. PETROL-BOMBING OXFORD University the former director of the University encourages visitors to their website to a year before attacks became violent, the Animal Liberation Front. One such When asked whether any volunteers and targeting of student residences? of St Andrews’ Centre for the Study of claiming that vandalism had increased press release claimed responsibility for have come forward with videos, NARA “The end justifi es the means” in the fi ght Terrorism and Political Violence. “A car is an and that the entire town of Oxford was the attempted release of 200 mink from a replied that so far they have not received for animal liberty, says Laura Broxson, During the 80’s they sent a string inanimate object, “living under constant threat”. ALF head farm in Laois. The farm had been picketed any replies despite offering a reward. spokesperson for the National Animal of letterbombs to high-profi le targets it doesn’t harm Robin Webb told the media that student for a number of months by the Coalition “NARA will not stop its campaign Rights Association. NARA has stepped such as then Prime Minister Margaret anyone if it’s accommodation was a legitimate target. Against the Fur Trade Ireland, whose against Trinity until animal testing is up its campaign against Trinity College Thatcher. Of ALF convicts, NARA says bombed” Yet another of NARA’s heroes is spokesperson is also Laura Broxson. The abandoned”, Broxson told Trinity News. in the past week, offering students a that “the only thing these people are Johnny Ablewhite, currently serving 15 message is typical of the tone of the ALF, Confronted about the violent methods “reward” for any photographs of animal guilty of is having the courage to speak send Currie cheques, postal orders and years for blackmailing the Hall family, stating “Una and Michael Heffernan are condoned on the NARA website, she experimentation. So far, NARA has had up for animals, and for being brave messages of support. then owners of a guinea pig farm in responsible for murdering over 45,000 responded “We‘re not going to distance no luck. enough to stand up against the cruelty Another prisoner being supplied Staffordshire. He offered the return of Mink on this death camp every year. It’s ourselves from those methods. I would The association’s website champions that is infl icted upon them. They are not with cash by NARA is Mel Broughton, their deceased mother-in-law’s remains, time to make them pay for this. The ALF say the end justifi es the means. A car twelve sentence-serving “Vegan Animal criminals, they are freedom fi ghters.” arrested for the 2007 planting of petrol which recently had been exhumed. will be back, Una and Michael”. is an inanimate object, it doesn’t harm Rights Prisoners”, each imprisoned Amongst NARA’s listed heroes is the bombs in Oxford University. Broughton It’s not just the website that has links While picketing outside the Arts anyone if it’s bombed.” When asked for their part in the extremist Animal “Animal Liberation Front’s top bomber” was the spokesperson for the SPEAK to the ALF. So too does Laura Broxson, Building, NARA handed out leaflets whether Trinity College should step up Liberation Front’s ‘New Wave’ of violent Donald Currie. Currie was arrested after campaign, which had been leading an NARA’s spokesperson, a Trinity News headlined “Wanted: verifi able, usabel, its security, Broxson laughed. Prices up Battered as Buttery costs rise Bertie gets By Seamus Donnelly

INCREASED ELECTRICITY and heating costs are one of the central reasons students are now paying more for food in the Buttery and other facilities run Hist medal by College’s Catering Department. With increasing uncertainty surrounding the supply of natural resources and By Lisa Byrne hat-wearing elephant in the room” that fl uctuating oil prices in the international was Unionism, Northern Ireland had to markets, energy costs have risen by 21 per recognise that the UK regarded Northern cent in college run facilities. EVEN WEDNESDAY’S protest couldn’t Ireland as a “defunct ideology” and need Returning students will have noticed a keep the crowds of students away from to look to Germany as a great example of ten percent hike in prices as of October the DU Historical Society debate on unifi cation. 2008, with those dining in the Buttery, the motion “this house would re-unite Dr Steven King was the guest speaker East Dining Hall and Banqueting Hall Ireland.” Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern for the opposition. A former Senior subject to increased charges. Simple was due to chair the event but he was Advisor to David Trimble, and now costs such as a bottle of water have risen replaced by Dr Patrick Geoghegan of the a journalist with the Irish Examiner, from €1.30 last year to €1.55 this year. History Department at the last minute. it was Dr King who caused the first However prices at the three Java City Mr Ahern was presented with a gold controversy of the night by challenging Coffee outlets and the Juice bar in the award for “outstanding contribution Hist Committee member James Walsh’s food court have not been subject to any to public discourse.” Record Secretary view on the issue of the virtue of the rise in price. Barry Cahill jokingly suggested that it British Army in Northern Ireland. Dr Figures provided by Catering Manager was Ahern’s acceptance of the award King described the actions of the Army Eugene McGovern noted a 6.8 percent that had caused his injury, referring deployed in the North claiming they “only increase in food costs, payroll increases of to the misfortunes suffered by many killed 200 people whereas the IRA killed 6.5 percent and infl ation of 5.4 percent. recipients of the award. Exiled Burmese over 2000.” Mr Walsh responded that the Although these were contributing factors IRA were an illegal terrorist organisation to the rise in prices, he said that it was “The British Army who did not receive their orders from a increased energy costs — up some 21 in Northern Ireland legitimate government. percent on last year — that had made the only killed 200 Ken Maginnis of the Ulster Unionist increases in food prices inevitable. people” said Dr Party, now Lord Maginnis of Drumglass, Mr McGovern stated that “after careful Steven King a former UUP MP, followed Dr King. budgeting and scrutinising all costs”, Lord Maginnis approached the debate College Catering reached the decision activist Aung San Suu Kyi became from an different angle, referring mostly that raising food prices was necessary. housebound and Garrett Fitzgerald fell to the decision to place a national autism Nevertheless he noted that any cost ill shortly after receiving his award. One centre in Middleton. increases came only after a “competitive person suggested the medal should be Lord Maginnis discussed the rise of tendering process” aimed at addressing presented to the entire Italian football autism, the health care system in the the increased cost of wholesale food. team shouting, “May they all break their North, ABA training and fi nally gave a Mr McGovern pointed out that the legs.” lesson on the geography of Newcastle Buttery is operating in a competitive Mr Ahern was introduced by before agreeing that Ireland should be environment with 211 eating options replacement Chair for the night Dr reunited, if only to ensure the “historical within 6 minutes walk of the College. Patrick Geoghegan of the History disposition to care for the elderly and He stated that “Trinity Catering is not a Deparment and Fellow of the Historical children” was ensured. subsidised service and must pay all its own Society. Dr Geoghegan introduced The youngest debater, Political Science costs.” Mr McGovern also pointed out that Mr Ahern as the man whom he would student Barry Cahill, referred to the social refurbishment to the Buttery last year always regard as the “real Taoiseach.” problems that the focus on nationalism was carried out to allow for “increased Mr Ahern was recognised for his energy is impeding. Another student, Stephen business levels”, and that it demonstrated and commitment to establishing peace Buggy, proposed the motion referring the determination of the Buttery in Northern Ireland, most notably the to his own background as a nationalist management to remain competitive in signing of the Good Friday agreement. living in an area with a statue dedicated what is clearly a saturated market. Last Mr Ahern warned the audience never to a Unionist. Josephine Curry argued for year’s Buttery renovation cost €1.5million to be “constrained by the straight jackets the opposition saying unifi cation is not and was part of an attempt to update the of society,” and said looking into the required for economic well-being. Buttery to compete with outside food future and not the past was crucial to Former Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alban venues. In a frank quote, Mr McGovern the continuing success of peace in the Maginness MLA of the SDLP believed said one of the main reasons was to rid North. Mr Ahern then left the debate, that unification would “bring unity the venue of the “greasy spoon of slopped as his attendance was required in among the people, something we should up food on a plate” image. This year, he Leinster House for the day’s crucial vote all be aiming for.” paid a warm tribute to the current staff on the 2008 Budget which he jokingly Finally Colm Denny brought the for the “effi cient” manner in which they complained he “wasn’t consulted” on. debate to a close, commenting that while carried out their jobs. Student Shane Farragher began the North has often been let down by the Despite increases this year, students the debate by opposing the motion UK, they should look for inspiration to won’t have to worry, as future price referring to an ideology of nationalism the people of Northumberland, who while increases — with the exception of and suggesting that people in the North they were let down by ex-Prime Minster “unforseen major costs” outside of the were chasing a “mythical Ireland”. The Margaret Thatcher, never relinquished control of the catering staff — have opposing side retorted that while they their citizenship. The debate ended with been ruled out until October 2009 at the couldn’t ignore the giant “sash and bowler the Proposition clinching victory. Bertie Ahern, conscious of the honour bestowed upon him, shortly before before leaving the debate early earliest. College in breach of its own rules on fi re safety

By Conor Sullivan EU students attended a talk on the According to the Accomodation realised the conditions were so unsafe.” Merriman, told Trinity News that He continued to state that “on the Monday night while the Scholars were Officer, Mr Anthony Dempsey, the The College safety website outlines the main problems associated with basis of a dynamic risk assessment it was due to attend on the Wednesday. The overcrowding occurred because people Trinity’s obligation to ensure there are overfi lling a lecture theatre are that the decided that, in these circumstances, AN IRONIC twist saw a campus resident overcrowded lecture was commended who were meant to attend a lecture appropriate fire safety regulations in “exit capacity might be exceeded” or that the benefi t to those present outweighed Fire Safety talk become a fire safety to “all other students” in an email from earlier in the week attended a different place. It states, “The General Application “persons on the aisles might not react the small risk posed by the additional hazard when too many students arrived the Accommodation Offi ce. It took place Regulations 2007 implement the relevant quickly enough and the aisles/escape numbers in the theatre. Instructions were at the lecture. on Tuesday 14th October in the Thomas Safety Offi cer fi re safety and emergency provisions of routes might be obstructed resulting given at the beginning of the meeting to Each year all student residents on Davis Theatre in the Arts Building. Tom Merriman the 1989 Workplace Directive. The HSA in delayed evacuation or persons being inform those on the aisles as to what to campus accomodation have to attend a According to the website of the performed a intend to challenge employers, managers trampled on.” do in the event of an emergency. The compulsory fi re safety lecture. Students Registrar of Chambers, who allocates dynamic risk and directors (under the SHWW Act He noted that the lecture hall was situation was continually assessed by who do not attend are faced with a €100 rooms on campus, 265 places are set aside assessment 2005) to demonstrate active safety indeed fi lled beyond capacity, but that the Fire/Safety Officer.” He added, fi ne. This year however, one lecture hall for Senior Sophister students in addition management.” “The College Fire/Safety Officer, The however, that “in general, such additional was overcrowded by almost 50 students. to 85 rooms for those who qualifiied one instead. However he stated that The safety lecture the following Facilities Offi cer, the Accommodation occupancy of a lecture theatre would not The large group of extra students through various schemes for involvement “Prior to commencing the meeting, the evening was addressed to Scholars Officer, an assistant Junior Dean be permitted or acceptable without the resulted in people standing in the stairs, in Societies or Sports Clubs. This adds up emergency exits from the theatre were and described to fellow residents as a and a number of other staff from the additional controls that were in place walkways and most importantly, in front to a total of 350 students who could be pointed out.” One student who attended talk “to be attended by Scholars only”. Accommodation Office were present on that evening”. Anecdotal evidence of emergency exits. expected to attend the fi re safety talk this lecture was Jonathan Wyse, a Junior Students attending had no problem with and in control of the situation. These from Student Societies on campus would Campus residents are divided into on the Monday evening. However, the Sophister Economics and Maths student overfi lling. One Scholar told Trinity News are trained experienced persons well suggest that College does indeed take a three groups for fire safety talks. Thomas Davis lecture theatre where the who said “It was only by being educated “at least the Scholars were safe.” accustomed to handling large crowds and strict line on fi re safety. Any overfi lling of The postgraduate, international and talk was held only holds 200 people. about Fire Safety at the lecture that I The College Safety Offi cer, Mr Tom dealing with emergencies.” rooms is banned. TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS Tuesday, October 14, 2008 4 NEWS October 28, 2008 SHORT Registration fee hiked by 67% in budget

CUTS By Brian Barry fee and cutting the block grant to Universities by the same (or a very similar) amount per student.” However, STUDENTS AT Trinity College and other Head of Communications at the Higher DEAF EDUCATION universities throughout the country Education Authority Malcolm Byrne face a 67% hike in their annual ‘student refuted this claim – “our understanding is WEBSITE AIMED AT services’ registration fee, following that the additional funding will be to the Brian Lenihan’s publication of the State institution concerned. In other words, if DEAF STUDENTS Budget earlier this month. The fee, which a TCD student pays €1500 next year, the stood at €900 for this academic year, money will go to TCD.” TRINITY COLLEGE has launched will increase to €1500 for the academic Mr. Reilly pointed out that the student a website geared towards deaf year 2009/2010. Trinity College Student body must be vigilant in ensuring that students in third level education. Union, the Union of Students in Ireland the student services fee is used for its The website, DS3, is part and opposition government parties have stated purpose. “Under the Education of a national project aimed at all heavily criticised as “unjustifi ed” and Authority Report 1995 these monies were increasing “the number and “cynical”. designated to paying for registration, retention of deaf and hard of Between 2002 and 2007 the increase examinations and student services. What hearing students in third level in the fee largely refl ected the national we must look out for is if the minister education in Ireland”. rate of infl ation. However, a 9% increase tries to change that, so that these monies The initiative was founded in 2007 from €825 to €900, and the could be used anywhere. Then this would in 2005 and was originally imminent 67% hike introduced by the be the reintroduction of fees.” funded by HEA initiative funds. Budget has completely bucked this trend. Mr. Reilly denied that the issue of It continues to be paid for by By next year the student services charge the increased registration fee was lost at College funds. will therefore have increased by 124% last Wednesday’s protest to the central DS3 was originally named since 2002. matter – the reintroduction of tuition DNA but due to confusion, The president of the Union of Students fees. “The protest was against fees in it was changed to DS3. in Ireland, Shane Kelly, commented: any guise. The registration fee is a “fee” Simultaneously, they have “Last week’s Budget which saw third and we were also protesting against its launched their new website with level registration fees being increased increase (as was heard in the speeches sections for students, teachers by 67% to €1,500 represents a crude and made that day).” and access offi cers. It includes cynical attempt by Minister O’ Keefe to This year, the total cost for a fi rst links to many other websites raise revenue for the State coffers at the time undergraduate signing to a course relevant to deaf students and expense of students and their families.” at Trinity was €983, the additional also post blogs of the activities Student Union President Cathal €83 comprising of the compulsory €75 of relevant societies on campus Reilly told Trinity News “the increase The increase in the registration fee was one of the grievances of last week’s march. Photo: Cian Clarke Sports Centre Levy and an €8 USI levy. such as the Sign Society. was in no way justifi ed. At a time where This total charge is low when compared the economic outlook is bleak, the on the issue of education if they were hitting out at anyone and everyone”, he and media outlets have suggested alongside other universities in Ireland, government must invest in the economy’s pressured. However, when Trinity News said. that the increase in registration fees despite last year’s debate over the merits TAP STUDENTS future by means of, among other things, asked Mr. Quinn if there was any real The increase in the registration fee introduced in the Budget is an attempt of a compulsory Sports Centre Levy. education.” At last Wednesday’s student prospect of the increase in the registration comes in the wake of recent statements by the government to move towards the Students at UCD paid €150 for a CAREER SUPPORT fees protest, Labour education spokesman fee being repealed by the government, he made by Minister O’Keefe that the eventual reintroduction of tuition fees. “student centre levy” on top of the Ruairi Quinn said the Government had replied “none whatsoever”. He added government is considering reintroducing Cathal Reilly told Trinity News: “This standard €900 this year. A €145 FOR TAP STUDENTS “buckled” on the issues of medical cards that government policy on the matter was college tuition fees - a matter which is a step by the government towards “capitation fee” is charged by UCC, and and income levies following the budget. aimless - “The government is in a deep has been the subject of much protest trying to reintroduce fees. What they NUI Galway charges an additional €222 TRINITY ACCESS Programme He anticipated “they would do so again” fi nancial crisis, and as a result they’re and controversy. Many student bodies are doing is upping the registration for “student levies”. students will have the opportunity to attend career development programmes in a new partnership between TAP and Grant Thornton accountancy fi rm. College cuts cobbles in drive for universal access The 4 year partnership gives TAP students the opportunity to benefi t from modules on career By Aislinn Lucheroni committees. The most recent proposal development, transferable skills sees layout remaining largely the same and exam preparation. except for the diagonal paths stretching Speaking at the launch, FRONT SQUARE is about to undergo from the GMB to the 1937 Reading Room Managing Partner Paul Raleigh a facelift, improving accessibility for and meeting at a central point. The new said, “Grant Thornton is wheelchair users and those with reduced paths will follow the circumference of delighted to help young people mobility. Smooth stone paths will be Front Square, with an additional straight from our local community in set into the existing cobbles, subject to pathway from the campanile to Front accessing a potentially life planning permission from Dublin City Arch, and one along one side of Fellows’ transforming educational Council. Square. experience.” The cobbles of Front Square are At the next Sites and Facilities an iconic part of College. Somewhat Committee meeting on 4th November, surprisingly, however, they only date new drawings will be submitted by the DIVERSITY WEEK back to the mid-20th Century. The architects Michael Collins and Associates. planning application for Trinity’s Cobble Dublin Council’s Conservation Architect ANTI RACISM Reduction Programme says, “While it is must also approve any plans, under the acknowledged that the existing cobble conditions of permission. WEEK LAUNCHED finish adds a particular character to The type of stone to be used has not yet Front Square, it is noted that they are been proposed, but Mr McDonnell said it USI HAVE announced the launch not of a truly historic character, in that would be a “granite-type cobble, similar of a new week to promote according to current research they were to what is currently in place, square in acceptance among students. only laid in the past 50 to 60 years.” shape but with a smoother surface.” In conjunction with the Much of the accommodation around The catalyst for this project was Part 3 European Commission, USI are Front Square was constructed in the 18th of the Disability Act 2005 which ensures launching ‘Diversity Week’ in century, as part of the reconstruction of “that an integrated access to public 19 Irish Institutes of Technology the Great West Front of the College in buildings and services is available to and Universities around Ireland the 1750s. In 2005 access was improved, people with and without disabilities.” including Trinity. with wheelchair ramps added to houses The question of funding has not yet The week will run from 2, 7 and 9. been resolved, and the project has not 3rd-6th November and will Front Square has been singled out by gone to tender. The Buildings Office encourage students consider College’s Cobble Reduction Programme’s would not give an estimate as the fi nal discrimination and learn about project manager, Patrick McDonnell, as plans have yet to be approved, and Irish Equality Law. having “probably the worst cobbles on samples must still be agreed. SU Education Offi cer Orlaith the whole campus. College is obliged Sections of the proposed paths are Foley said, “Many students to provide universal access under to be laid in the near future, to show are unaware of their rights Disability Legislation.” Dublin City how the pathways would interact with and responsibilities in relation Council objected to the proposed layout the current cobbles’ inset, and to show to anti-discrimination issues as being too disruptive to the character of both the College community and Dublin so we have teamed up with Front Square. College has been granted City Council what the new pathways will the European Commission to conditional planning permission. The look like. One day wheelchair users and address this issue.” layout of the paths was arrived at after high heel wearers alike will successfuly four years of consultation with grounds navigate College’s most beautiful square committees and disability access - well, the edges of it, anyway. The Disability Act 2005 requires the change to Front Square’s ground covering.

YOUR VIEW

DID YOU GO TO THE CIARAN O’MELIA DAVID KEOGH SHANE JACKSON DECLAN BURROWES SARAH WERNER FEES PROTEST ON SS DRAMA AND THEATRE SF PHILOSOPHY&POLITICS SF BESS JF HISTORY SF EUROPEAN STUDIES

WEDNESDAY? No I didn’t go to it. I agree with I did. I can understand why in the I did go to the protest. Bottom I went to the protest, it was good. I went to the protest. I think one the protest in essence but I just current climate they need to in- line is I don’t want to pay to go to I went because I can’t afford fees. protest is not enough at all, we couldn’t make it. troduce fees but I disagree with a college. need many more. I think we blanket fee. I wouldn’t be against should all be on strike. All educa- a high threshold graded system. tion should be free. We’ve been blessed to have free fees the past 10 years. TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS Tuesday, October 14, 2008 October 28, 2008 NEWS 5 SHORT CUTS

NURSING CUTS NURSING DEGREE PLACES SLASHED

THE NUMBER of places in nursing degrees in Ireland is to be cut by 310 according to a recent report by the Irish Examiner. An internal report by the Health Service Executive outlined cuts in Irish Institutes of Technology and Universities beginning in September 2009. The University sector will lose 15% of its places while the Institutes of Technology will be cut by 22%. Trinity College will lose a total of 19 places, 10 of which are in the area of intellectual disablility nursing. General secretary of the Irish nurses organisation Liam Doran has said “These reductions are shortsighted and while they Attendants at the might save pennies in the short Dublin University term they will cost pounds in the Boat Club dinner long term.” in the Dining Hall last Friday. Photo: David Adamson RESEARCH MORTUARY STOPS TAKING CORPSES TRINITY COLLEGE’S overcrowded mortuary may have more to do with economics than scientifi c research. Diary mess-up forces SU to get creative Trinity has put a temporary halt to accepting corpses for research due to overfi lling. By Lisa Byrne to glance through during dull lectures, welcome introductions from each of lot as waste. This process was employed October 22 2008, 14,145 students have The surge in donations was they have been left wondering why the SU sabbatical offi cers. According to again this year; however there were very registered. These fi gures are up from “unprecendented” according to they’ve been deprived of the somewhat Student Union President Cathal Reilly, few students this year who decided not to 13,625 in the same peroid last year. Trinity’s human donations offi ce. A DIRTY Sanchez ticket for your student interesting reading material. this amalgamation was a triumph as it take the diaries.” Cathal Reilly has said that the SU An article in the Irish diary? Having run out of student diaries “reduced the amount of paper printed, Having completed a short survey are looking into ways of providing Independent, however, seemed halfway through Registration, the SU Ordering more of and the cost was much lower than among students ranging from the Arts the students with the missing diaries, to suggest that economic are trying to cope with unprecedented the popular diaries printing the two”. However, the new Block to the Nurses’ Building asking without having to order more copies conditions have a lot to do with demand by asking students who don’t would be a “huge diaries were either so limited in number whether they had been given the option in which he believes would “be a huge the rise. “The number of people want their diaries to give them up for the fi nancial burden or so popular that they ran out halfway of taking a diary all said that they had fi nancial burden for either college or the opting to donate their bodies chance to win concert tickets. for the SU” said SU into Registration week. just been given them. One students said SU”. The proposed remedy is to give all to medical research has grown For many students the diary is President Cathal Cathal Reilly said this was due to the “I was just handed mine at registration, those who return their unused diaries the massively as people who are considered a necessity to act as a reminder Reilly “unprecedented demand” of diaries if I’d known that there was a chance that chance to be entered into a draw to win prepared to help out medical of lecture attendance. For others, its use during registration. “Every year, not another student wouldn’t get one because tickets for the upcoming Dirty Sanchez science can also avoid the high is still being determined. Regardless of This year, the regular College diary every student takes a copy of the diary, I’d taken it, I wouldn’t have taken it.” show. Having spoken to many students, costs of funerals and get buried your own view, the absence of the College was merged with the SU guidebook knowing that they won’t use it and as The excessive demand may be it appears it may take a lot more than a for free.” Trinity have suspended diary from some students’ bags is being which gives detailed accounts of such, college generally doesn’t print one accounted for by the increase of Dirty Sanchez ticket to take their diaries donations for 12 months. felt. For those poor students with nothing different aspects of College and includes for every student as this would leave a registering students this year. As of off them.

Experience something new in the Old Library

Q&A The Trinity Library Shop

Thinking of furthering your studies in business? UCD Michael The Library Shop opening hours are: Smurfit Graduate Business School awaits you.

9.30 – 5.00 Monday to Saturday Come to our Open Evening on November 12th from 4pm 12.00 – 4.30 Sundays at our Blackrock Campus. For further information and to register your attendance Email:[email protected] visit smurfitschool.ie http://www.tcd.ie/Library/Shop TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS Tuesday, October 14, 2008 6 NATIONAL NEWS October 28, 2008

SHORT Students struggling as budget freezes grant rates

CUTS By Una Geary infl ation is running at 4%, this effectively FAMILY INCOME THRESHOLDS FOR GRANTS She added, “The grant cut off points National News Editor amounts to a decrease in the fi nancial were released very late this summer. supports being offered to students.” The fact that the grant announcement DESPITE THE considerable cutbacks The standard full rate is currently at Dependents Full Maintenance 75% 50% Reg. fee exempt came so late this year has resulted in ARTS imposed on the education sector by EUR 3,420. According to Shane Kelly, Less than 4 €39,760 €42,235 €44,720 €49,690 a huge delay in the administration the recent Budget, the Government’s USI president, only a minority of 10% surrounding the applications and means 4 to 7 €43,680 €46,415 €49,145 €54,605 FESTIVAL MARKS spending estimate for grants is up by 6% of the 57,000 students who received that to date few grants have actually been to 277.9 million EUR. This is in response grant aid last year received this sum. The 8 or more €47,430 €50,400 €53,360 €59,280 distributed. This means that the majority QUB CENTENARY to a surge in demand for grant aid due remainder received the 50% assistance of Trinity students had to pay their to the current economic downturn. rate of EUR 1,710 or less. For students registration fee.” QUEEN’S, FOUNDED as Nearly 3,000 more students applied for who come from within 24 km of their of Technology has judged that students as little as €100. According to Ms. Foley, Batt O’Keeffe, Minister of Education Queen’s College Belfast in maintenance grants this year, increasing college, this fi gure is more than halved living away from home will be set back by “The direct result of this has been the and Science, will heap further hardship 1845, became an independent the number of applications by at least to EUR 685. The maximum possible rate approximately EUR 8,403 per year. Even increase in applications to the Student on students next year by increasing university in 1908. The annual 5% in the past few months. However, of EUR 6,690 is allocated only to the 10% those living at home are expected to face Assistance Fund, which is administered this fee by 67% to €1,500. Shane Kelly, Ulster Bank Belfast Festival rates are due to remain frozen until of students in the lowest family income an outlay of EUR 3,861. through the Senior Tutors offi ce. We have USI President, denounced the 2009 at Queen’s will be a double at least January 2010. Orlaith Foley, band of EUR 20,000. However, despite the glaring seen record numbers of students applying Budget measures as “an underhanded celebration this year, marking TCD SU Welfare Offi cer, said that “The These rates are grossly inadequate, discrepancy between grant rates and the for this funding, both from students who way of generating revenue to facilitate both the university’s centenary government did not increase the grant leaving a considerable gap between the cost of third level education, even worse will get a maintenance grant and those Government cutbacks and are essentially, and the 60th anniversary of in any way, making life much tougher estimated cost of attending college and off are the middle income families who who are falling short of the maintenance the fi rst step towards the re-introduction the U.N Declaration of Human for families already struggling. While the grant aid available. Dublin Institute are just above the cut-off point, some by grant thresholds.” of full tuition fees.” Rights. The Festival, which has been described by Graeme Farrow, festival director, as “an annual arts and entertainment Olympics”, is due to run from SPECIAL REPORT the 17th of October to the 1st of November. The festival was launched with an opening concert by Ennio Moricone, the Italian Oscar-winner who has composed some of the Cork student’s fi ght to free mother best-known fi lm music over the last forty years. Past accomplishments include scores for The Good, The Bad and UCC student calls on the Govern- The Ugly, Once Upon a Time In America, The Untouchables and ment to intervene on behalf of The Mission starring Robert de Niro and Jeremy Irons. Other mother currently imprisoned in highlights of the festival include the events “Human Rights, China for her links with Falun Gong Poetic Redress” and “Stand Up for Justice”, which have By Kate O’Regan been organised by Amnesty International to mark the 60th year of the Declaration of A UCC student, whose mother has been detained by the Chinese Human Rights. authorities due to her connections with the banned Falun Gong “Human Rights, Poetic movement, has called on Taoiseach Brian Cowen to raise the issue Redress” took place on the with the Chinese government during his visit to the country this 23rd of October and involved a week. debate by top Irish writers Carlo Tang Liang is a food science student at University College Cork. Gebler, Eilis Ni Dhuibhne, Glenn Both his parents were arrested in June due to their activity with the Above: Tang Liang seeks the release of his mother with for- Patterson and Kevin Barry on the Falun Gong movement. His father Yu Lin Tang was later released. mer Trinity student Ming Zhao who was imprisoned for two role of the writer in upholding However Liang’s mother, Aiqin Wang, remains in detention in years for his association with the movement, left. human rights. “Stand Up for China. Justice” is a comedy show This week, Brian Cowen is attending trade talks in Shanghai acting in the best interest of Chinese society. They have labelled currently in its sixth year at the and Beijing. Tang Liang has seized this opportunity, launching a the Falun Gong organisation a cult. festival. This year it showcased plea to the Irish leader to raise the issue of the continued detention Chinese authorities began clamping down on Falun Gong top international talent including of Falun Gong supporters, and wider claims of human rights practices in 1999. Those found guilty of association with the Falun John Bishop, Katherine Ryan abuses in China. Mr. Liang was accompanied by Ming Zhao, a Gong movement are often handed lengthy prison sentences. They and Damian Clark. former student of Trinity, who spent two years in prison because are reported to be treated in a manner counter to the charter of (Una Geary) of his Falun Gong beliefs. Mr. Zhao was released in 2002 after Human Rights. Organisations such as Amnesty International are the intervention of several high-profi le political fi gures in Ireland, concerned that the treatment of those imprisoned may have a including Senator David Norris. broader impact on freedom of expression, association and belief ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR Mr. Zhao was a computer science student at Trinity in 2000. in China. district in Beijing, confi rmed to a foreign journalist that around For hundreds of years, China’s rulers have viewed as politically 50 “extremist’’ followers of the banned Falun Gong movement BUS SERVICE TO Senator David Norris was threatening those groups that combine elements of charismatic had been locked away in a psychiatric hospital near Beijing. Yang among the high-profi le leadership, a high degree of organization, and popular appeal. Yong reportedly said that his police force was responsible for UCD SUSPENDED fi gures who intervened They have labelled such organizations “heretical cults” or “sects” Falun Gong practitioners, the majority of them women, held at the in the case of Ming Zhao, and have moved forcefully to eradicate them. Although Falun Zhoukoudian psychiatric hospital. He told the journalist that the DUBLIN BUS have temporarily former Trinity student, was Gong practitioners claim they practice and promote truthfulness, practitioners “are not patients, they are there to be re-educated”. withdrawn services from the was detained for two years compassion and tolerance, the Chinese government has deemed it Since returning to Dublin and being granted refugee status 10 and 46A bus stops on in China a threat to society and branded it a cult. here, Ming Zhao has been involved in many campaigns to highlight Belfi eld campus and on the In the online edition of the People’s daily newspaper, members awareness of those persecuted for their beliefs. Former detainee N11 after 8.30 p.m. following When he returned to his home in Beijing for the Christmas of Falun Gong are accused of “organizing and using the cult Zhao has publicly criticised the Irish authorities’ cordial relations what it described as a series holidays he was immediately taken into custody by the authorities. organization to undermine the implementation of law, causing with the Communist state. In May 2005 he condemned the of incidents of anti-social Addressing a sub-committee on Human Rights at Leinster deaths by organizing and using the cult organization, and illegally twinning of Cork City with Shanghai, criticising the lack of concern behaviour in the past weeks. House in 2004, he claimed that on his return to China he was obtaining state secrets.” In an article posted on the website of the for Human Rights abuses in China. Bus drivers complained of arrested without warrant for his association with the Falun Gong Chinese embassy in the United States, the Chinese authorities In August 2008 Falun Gong practitioners held a protest at students drinking on board and movement, and detained in a labour camp without trial. He was brand Falun Gong practices as “cult heresies” which threaten The Irish Times building on Tara Street Dublin, to protest over an being verbally abusive. On imprisoned for two years, enduring torture and brainwashing. He to disrupt the normal order of religion. They go on to claim that article that quoted a Chinese offi cial making disparaging remarks one occasion, it was claimed was released in 2002 after a successful campaign for his release their actions against the organization are in the best interest of about the practice. The protesters said the comments made by that an inspector was physically and an intervention by former Taoiseach Bertie Ahearn. the Chinese people: “To protect the human rights and freedom the Chinese offi cial demonised those who engage in the spiritual assaulted. Aodhan O’Dea, UCD During his detention, Ming Zhao claims that the Chinese of religious belief of the Chinese people, the Chinese Government practice, which involves exercise and meditation. This followed SU President, said, “The alleged authorities used electric shocks and physical violence to torture outlawed the “Falun Gong” cult in accordance with the law.” a march in July 2007, coinciding with the eighth anniversary of incident happened off campus him. He is adamant that there is no rational explanation for the Amnesty International has been quick to condemn the detention the suppression of Falun Gong practitioners, where Mr. Zhao and there has been no proof detention of Falun Gong practitioners, and that the Chinese of Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese government. In a and others called on Chinese people living in Ireland to quit the that the attack came from a UCD government is simply seeking to monopolise people’s lives. report describing their concerns about the human rights violations Communist Party. Mr. Zhao claimed at the time that up to 23 Student at all.” Falun Gong is a traditional Chinese spiritual discipline that resulting from the crackdown on Falun Gong, the association calls million people had already publicly quit the Chinese Communist The suspension was is similar to Buddhism. It is a modern variant of the ancient on the Chinese government to reform their policy against the Party (CCP). implemented after a meeting Chinese practices of exercise, deep breathing, and meditation, movement. In the report, they call on the Chinese government “to Irish relations with China have been strengthened in recent with trade unions, UCD that enthusiasts claim promotes physical, mental, and spiritual stop the mass arbitrary detentions, unfair trials and other human years, with many reciprocal business deals being brokered between representatives and the well-being by enhancing the flow of vital energy through a rights violations resulting from the crackdown on the Falun Gong the two countries. Taoiseach Brian Cowen is in China this week relevant authorities. Mr. O’Dea person’s body. While Falun Gong is practiced in over 70 countries group”. Other associations, such as the Human Rights Website, to discuss trade and commercial relations between China and expressed his sentiment that, worldwide, there has been a major crackdown on the association have called for the immediate release of all Falun Gong prisoners Ireland. “The move is disappointing in China in recent years. and for permission to resume public and private Falun Gong Cork based student Tang Liang is hoping that Mr. Cowen will as they are painting all 23,000 The Chinese government has been accused of human rights practice. highlight the issue of Falun Gong prisoners and the suggested students here in UCD with the abuses towards those imprisoned. The supporters of Falun Gong According to the Amnesty International report, detainees are violation of their human rights. More crucially, he hopes that same brush and judging us all describe the detention and persecution of its followers as religious subjected to “re-education” processes. On 20 January, 2000, Yang the Irish leader will raise the issue of his mother’s detention with by the actions of a few.” persecution. However the Chinese government insist that they are Yong, a spokesman for the Changguang police station in Fangshan Chinese offi cials. No actions have been taken as yet against students involved in the incidents, as no specifi c claims have been made. Mr. O’Dea said that, “Anyone caught drinking on campus or getting on buses with drink are dealt with under the Dignity and UCD fees protest sees three students arrested Respect policy in the University.” The withdrawal of evening bus services is a serious blow to By Una Geary people were arrested for breaches of the at meetings and not hear the response of Brophy commented - “Martin Mansergh students, in terms of safety and National News Editor peace. Dan O’Neill, Deputy President and students which is opposition to fees.” withdrew from the debate at the last fi nances. Mr. O’Dea complained Campaigns Offi cer of UCD SU, was one Prior to Monday evening’s events, minute upon hearing of the student that “Students are being forced AS THE anti-fees offensive heats up, a of the three targeted by the Gardai. His a protest had been planned against mobilisation against fees. This is a clear to walk late at night alone, to recently formed student campaign group version of events was, “We sat down on a proposed visit by Minister of State, indication that the government and its use basic bus services or to get in UCD, Free Education for Everybody the road to block the Minister’s car as Martin Mansergh, on the 7th of October. representatives are unable to provide a taxi - adding to problems of (FEE), staged a protest on Monday the had been planned and then the Gardai Mr. Mansergh had been due to speak at adequate answers for the students whose student debt.” 20th of October against the arrival of dragged me and two others out of the line a Law Soc debate. The campaigners had education is going to be compromised if In a statement, Dublin Bus Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan, and threw us into a patrol car.” However, envisaged a “peaceful protest of students fees are reintroduced.” said that “The safety of our staff on campus. Mr. Lenihan was chairing they were released immediately with only angrily giving a message to Minister In 2002-2003, the then Minister of and passengers is of utmost a function at the Clinton Institute in a caution. No charges were made. Mansergh.” However, half an hour before Education Noel Dempsey had to withdraw importance to Dublin Bus and Belfield. President of the UCD SU, Government ministers and TDs had the debate, word reached Belfi eld that his proposal to bring back college fees the temporary withdrawal of Aodhan O’Dea, said that “UCD Students’ previously been warned by students to the Minister had pulled out. Deciding to after a wave of student unrest. services is common practice Union supported the protest.” expect protests if they decide to visit persevere with the protest nonetheless, Julian Brophy added, “For too long in areas where the company Students obstructed the entrance UCD while the debate on third-level fees over 50 people marched from outside the we have had our backs against the wall experiences incidents of anti- and the minister was forced to enter the continues. Speaking to the University Library, up through the concourse and fi ghting against the step-by-step increase social behaviour.” building via a side door amidst chants Observer in UCD, Paul Murphy, a student into the Arts Block where they rallied in the privatisation of education. We need Dublin Bus has said that it of “No cutbacks, no fees, no Fianna Fail campaigner said, “If these ministers are outside Theatre M. to start forcing the government to respond hopes to re-instate evening bus TDs” and “This government has disgraced going to try to block students’ access to A meeting was held afterwards to to our agenda rather than responding to services to UCD campus as soon themselves”. The protest turned violent college, then we’re going to send them a organise an offi cial student campaign theirs. It is up to the students to send as possible. when students attempted to break message when they come out to colleges.” group, which was christened Free out a strong message that they are not through a metal fence surrounding the He added that, “political guests shouldn’t Education for Everybody (FEE). A prepared to have their education right building. Scuffl es broke out and three be able to just waltz into colleges, speak Students arrested by Gardai member of the new group, Julian based on their fi nancial circumstance.” TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS Tuesday, October 14, 2008 October 28, 2008 INTERNATIONAL NEWS 7 Italian students protest Uni reforms

By Kasia Mychajlowycz weeks in protest. Even some teachers students will have the same teacher over have joined the students and begun fi ve years, and could fail a grade for poor conducting lectures in the streets and conduct. ITALIAN PRIME Minister Silvio squares, reported AP. Primary school Both the Italian Carabinieri and Berlusconi threatened to call in the staff plan a general strike next Thursday, Rome’s police force had a heavy presence police to break up the week-long student while higher education faculty are to during the demonstration. On Friday demonstrations and protests that have strike on November 14. morning, PM Berlusconi threatened to been taking place across Italy in opposition The main march on Thursday saw order police to break up the sit-ins and to his conservative government’s planned secondary school and university students demonstrations, stating that he “will not reforms of primary and university-level marching from Sapienza University in tolerate schools and universities being education in the country. Rome to the Senate, where members occupied”. According to the Associated Press, of the government were voting on the Organizers of the protests, in “thousands” of students - up to thirty reforms. particular Italy’s student union (Unione Global Campus thousand, by one estimate - conducted If passed, universities and secondary degli Universitari), said that they have no sit-ins, demonstrations and marches schools will see drastic budget and job plans to cease the demonstrations until throughout last week. Since the beginning cuts to conform to the national budget set the reforms are voted down by the Senate, of term, political unrest amongst in August, which called for a €7.8 billion stating defiantly in one press release university students has disrupted classes, cut in state-run schools over the next four “The mobilisation not only continues, it CANADIAN PRESS RANKS TOP with some students skipping class for years. In the lower schools, elementary Students at the recent protests in Italy. is growing”. UNIVERSITIES IN THE COUNTRY

MORE THAN 43,000 students took part in the seventh annual online survey allowing Canadian students to grade the performance of no less than 55 universities. Its goal is to provide university applicants and their parents a unique view into what it’s truly like to study on any one of these campuses. Shooting Students were able to fi ll in the questionnaire online and the majority of universities sent out an email to undergraduates suggesting that they take part. The survey suggests that Canada’s smallest universities score top marks when it comes to overall satisfaction and quality of education. But no matter what the size of university, students all want to be panic in thought of as more than a number, said Simon Beck, editor of the Canadian University Report, but he also noted that although small universities scored well, bigger universities tend to have better reputations and professors who are better known and well regarded. According to the Canadian Press, Maclean’s Bowling magazine also produces an annual report that provides profi les of universities and rankings and will be published on the 13th November 2008. However, Canadian families should consider using the university reports as one but not the only resource to select which institutions they might want to attend. Ian Boyko, campaigns co-ordinator for the Canadian Green Federation of Students, states: “There’s nothing that can replace talking to an administrator, talking to other students, visiting the campus yourself.” Beck argues that on the whole the survey suggests A false alarm at Western Kentucky University illustrates the that Canadian students are “a fairly happy bunch and conscious of the excellent education most of deep scars left by past shooting massacres on American uni- them get”. Only 7% of Canadian undergraduates are versities, where the merest shadow of a gunman can force a dissatisfi ed, and more than 83% would recommend their own university to a friend or family member. shutdown across an entire campus. Mirek Mychajlowycz, a Business and Science Student at the University of Western Ontario, which was rated top in categories like “most satisfi ed BY Monika Urbanski on campus informed about potential student”, “quality of education”, and “student-faculty dangers without either touching off Western Kentucky University. Photo:Michael Miller interaction”, explains the high rating as such: “I guess panic or unnecessarily disrupting the life the difference between us and all the other guys is REPORTS OF gunmen on campus at of the school. At the Western Kentucky the community feeling. We have a huge beautiful Western Kentucky University in Bowling University administrators used a rolling TIMELINE campus, winning teams, great programs and a Green, KY, led to a lockdown for several series of text messages, e-mail messages student ‘ghetto’ which doesn’t feel so ghetto... it’s a hours on Wednesday afternoon the 23rd and loudspeaker broadcast alerts to warn » 12:30 pm EDT A text message goes out sage saying that an “incident involving small school feeling with all the advantages of a big of October 2008. students and staff. The developments on stating that armed men had been seen on guns” had been reported. university.” It was reported to the police that people that day in Bowling Green will add new the south campus, which is also known as » 12:52 pm University offi cials send another Monika Urbanski with weapons were seen in a building on a data points to the discussion. Bowling Green Community College and is broadcast e-mail message saying that shots satellite campus and that shots had been Not only school offi cials and media, separated from the university’s main cam- were reportedly fi red at the Pearce-Ford fi red on the main campus. The campus but also the members of the Presbyterian pus. That area is soon surrounded by police, Tower. The building is the largest dorm on OXFORD DONS GET SCHOOLED emergency warning system was activated Disaster Assistance National Response according to Jan Diehm, the editor-in-chief campus, with 24 fl oors of student housing and students and employees were told Team kept a close eye on events at of the student newspaper, the College and a food court.After that, periodic an- TUTORS AT Oxford University will be receiving to remain indoors. An “all clear” was Western Kentucky University. PDA Heights Herald. nouncements urged students to stay inside training in interview techniques and strategies, issued about two hours later after police has a long history responding to school » 12:44 pm The campus emergency manage- until an all-clear signal is sounded. reports one of the university’s student newspapers, searched buildings and didn’t fi nd any shootings and other public violence, ment system announces to all students on » 4:45 pm Central time: Police give the Cherwell. The training was largely set up in an gunmen. Classes were cancelled for the offering support to chaplains and both the south and main campus that there all-clear signal to the campus and say they attempt to demystify Oxford interviews and rest of the day. community leaders. is “an immediate danger” throughout both have taken four people into custody for interviewers, who have become legendary for their According to the New York Times, Although the incident in Bowling campuses and they “should seek shelter.” questioning. Reports of shooting remain alleged tricks and the humiliating stunts some use on offi cials later said there were at least two Green passed without a need for response, » 12:47 pm Students receive an e-mail mes- unconfi rmed. prospective students. fi ghts on the campus about an hour from PDA’s National Response Team was on The Times Online reported that the courses Nashville, Tennessee, but no indication the scene at Virginia Tech in April 2007 for dons will be taught online and will include that shots had been fi red. Five men were and in Illinois in February 2008, when a 2008, one day after the shooting Ransdell sent an e-mail message to videotaped interviews. Of most importance to held for questioning, but offi cials said that former graduate student walked onto the warnings at Western Kentucky University parents praising the campuses response: candidates, those same videos will be available to they were released after no guns were stage of a lecture hall at Northern Illinois President Gary Ransdell said in a news “The message that I am conveying to them and the general public on the Oxford website. found. The men denied being involved in University (NIU) and opened fi re on a conference that he was very pleased that all of our students, and it is a message “Hopefully, this will take away the smoke and the fi ght and no charges were fi lled. class, killing fi ve people and wounding 16 the emergency communication system that has become commonplace in our mirrors and show kids that there are no tricks Although police were unable to others before committing suicide. Some worked and that officials responded society, is that aggressive behaviour has involved,” said Mike Nicholson, Oxford admissions’ confi rm that any shooting had occurred, of the incidents to which they respond quickly: “The situation provided a real consequences which often go beyond the spokesperson. Still, legends abound concerning the Howard Bailey, vice president for student are widely reported in the national press, test of Western’s crisis communication individual parties involved.” content of Oxford’s hour-long interviews; questions affairs, said that campus offi cials didn’t while others are hardly noticed outside a system, and it prevailed.” On the college newspaper’s homepage, such as “If ancient history was a shape, what shape regret activating the campus emergency local community. But in each incident, At the same conference, a woman who student responses on the incident vary might it be?” are supposedly part of the interview warning system. there are commonalities. Laurie Kraus, identifi ed herself as Kim Carter, a parent from Andrea Daniels, an Elizabethtown repertoire and terrify students. In light of the shooting rampages a member of the PDA, stated that unlike of two students who were confronted by freshman, saying: “I think the situation One Oxford professor, Mark Wormald of Corpus that have taken place in recent years at a natural disaster, the signs of recovery the police, said she was concerned how was slightly blown out of proportions,” Christi College, claims that though some questions Virginia Tech, where in April 2007, 33 and deep anguish may not be as evident aggressively the offi cers responded to to Alex Weires, from Buckner, arguing: can be tricky or sound quirky, in context they are people died, and other American college immediately following a gunman’s the threats. The campus newspaper, the “I think the school did the right thing. designed to push a candidate to show their critical campuses, any report of weapons on rampage. “It’s not as visible,” she said. College Heights Herald, ran a photograph It’s better to be safe than sorry. It’s not and conceptual thinking skills. And, he claims, the campus is generally taken very seriously. “There is nothing to rebuild. Instead it showing a police offi cer pointing a gun at something you used to worry about. These interviewers “are just as scared as the candidates,” In the post-Virginia Tech society colleges depends on a community’s resilience a female student lying on the ground, days, you realize it can happen any time.” because they understand the weight of their decision and universities have been grappling to surface after a time to help it restore with the caption saying that the student All this raises the question of whether the and don’t want to make a mistake. with how to calibrate their response to itself”. had not cooperated with the police. As potential for violence was worth the cost, Kasia Mychajlowycz incidents like this, and how to keep people On Thursday the 24th of October a respond to those accusations Mr. and the panic. DEATH OF A BUNSMAN A 23-YEAR-OLD student died after participating in a steamed bun-eating contest at a university in Taiwan last Wednesday. Identifi ed only by his surname Chen in the Taipei Times, the student was attending the Columbia students rally to Obama Graduate Institute of Bio-Industry Technology at Dayeh University. The eating contest is a yearly event, and in the By Kim Kirschenbaum the stakes are unusually high this CC ’11. “The fact that a group of Yet the Dems’ trip to Virginia she has spoken with people who were fatal round, the challenge was to eat two buns year because though Virginia has young people are demonstrating is not their only course of action not previously interested in politics. stuffed with egg and cheese in the least amount long been considered a Republican- so much national enthusiasm will over the break. Because of limited Others closely involved in the of time. The apparent cause of death was choking; WITH THE election of America’s leaning state, many analysts believe certainly resonate.” space and resources, students not organization express surprise at the Chen began vomiting and lost consciousness during next president less than two weeks it may be in play this year. Members The number of students heading lifted from the Virginia trip wait-list support it is amassing. the contest. Though pronounced dead at his arrival away, the Columbia University will be canvassing and phone to Virginia may also be indicative of will campaign in Queens for State “Even during midterms and in the hospital, doctors tried resuscitating Mr. Chen College Democrats are preparing to banking on behalf of presidential what many have called a national Senate candidate Joseph Addabbo all else, I find it amazing that for 90 minutes. endorse the Democratic ticket in a candidate Barack Obama (D-Ill.), enthusiasm. A record-breaking 132 while covering several other select 132 students are willing to drop According to Chien Ting-kuo, emergency particularly active manner. Mark Warner, who is running members will make the trip, more regions. everything in order to make this medicine physician at Mackay Memorial Hospital in The Dems will be spending as a candidate for U.S. senator than double the number in previous “We are not just convincing trip,” said Director of Social and Taiwan, in an interview with Taiwan News, a healthy their fall break, which lasts from from Virginia, and the district’s years. people to vote Democratic, but also Alumni Affairs Greer Feick. “This person can lose consciousness in one minute if they November 1st-4th, campaigning in congressional candidate Judy Feder. “We never anticipated such convincing them just to come out and is the one opportunity where I will have an obstruction in their airways. He believes the 10th congressional district of They also plan on meeting with local interest,” said College Democrat vote,” said lead activist Jenna Hovel. be surrounded by 132 students who that eating contests should be banned, and Dayeh Virginia—largely agreed by experts campaign representatives. media director Avi Edelman. “Many people are not a part of the have the same political views that I University has stated that all eating contests on its to be a battleground state—in an “Virginia has not gone blue for “Being active on this election is very political community in general, but have, and ready to get out there and campus will be banned effective immediately. effort to encourage residents to cast many years, and this campaign trip important—it is a historical election. when a person takes a personal stake stand up for what they believe in.” 60 students competed in teams of two for their their votes. could be symbolic of the signifi cant By campaigning, we are giving in the process, it turns into a lifelong half of the prize, which was 2,000 New Taiwan dollars Though the group travels annually changes that are taking place across Columbia students an opportunity commitment to politics.” First published October 22, - equivalent to just under €47. to a state where they perceive they the electoral map,” said College to participate in grassroots Hovel added that in the course of 2008 in the Columbia Spectator, Kasia Mychajlowycz could have sway on Election Day, Democrat member Rowland Yang, campaigning.” working for campaigns in past years, Columbia University, NYCt TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS Tuesday, October 14, 2008 8 NEWS FEATURES October 28, 2008

Clockwise, from top: Dr. Martin Curley of Intel, Paddy Cosgrave, Prof. Ferdinand von Prondzynski, President of DCU and Prof. Peter Kennedy of UCC; Jim Barry, Chair- man of the Irish Undergraduates Awards, talks with Tim O’Connor, Secrerary General to President Mary McAleese; Jim Barry, Oisin Hanrahan and Paddy Cosgrave; Kingsley Aikins, CEO of the Ireland Funds, chats with fellow Trinity graduate Hugo MacNeill, MD of Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs; Pauric Dempsey, Communicaitons Direc- tor of the Royal Irish Academy, with Tim O’Connor.

Trinity graduates spearhead new awards for academic excellence

those that make the shortlist, may appear scheme, www.iuawards.ie, presents the about John McGahern’s receipt of his give students who participate a new Traditionally, the Irish third level education sys- in abridged form in the Irish Times later Awards as “career-changing opportunities honorary doctorate from DCU. McGahern weapon in their job-seeking arsenal. in the year, and shortlisted authors may for undergraduates capable of producing had lamented a system where “it took The founders say that they are “enabling tem has focused on exam results rather than be invited to present thezir works at interesting and insightful work outside 80% of effort to get in, and only 40% to undergraduates and future employers conferences organised by the Awards and of the exam hall. That work will now be get out.” The Awards were highlighted at fourth level and beyond to fi nd each coursework as an indicator of excellence. The its partners. read by many of Ireland’s leading minds as a programme where students would other in an entirely new and effi cient way, In addition to putting together the have more reason to strive for excellence. while also giving undergraduates the Irish Undergraduate Awards aim to Journal, the panel will award a number of Later, Paddy Cosgrave agreed with recognition and reward they deserve.” medals to outstanding students. The best “For Ireland to survive Prondzinsky’s assessment, and said that The Irish Undergraduate Awards correct this imbalance, writes Kiera Healy essayist from each university will receive the Awards are “all about supercharging may be just getting started, but for their a medal, along with the best in each internationally we need the minds of our students.” founders, and for the packed crowd of he Irish Undergraduate Hanrahan, is open to students at all seven discipline. There are also to be a number to create a generation of Cosgrave was inspired to work on academics and corporate leaders who Awards were launched on of Ireland’s universities, and will focus on of spot prizes presented throughout the this new project by the realisation that attended the launch, it is hoped that they the 20th of October in the the papers, essays and projects submitted year, allowing students who may not have knowledge creators and “millions and millions of pages of pages will be here to stay. Royal Irish Academy. The by students in all years of their degrees. won the top awards to be recognised. innovators” fi lled with the ideas of our young people” new initiative, founded by The Awards aim to celebrate Irish As Paddy Cosgrave puts it, “the were left to sit “on a shelf gathering dust” APPLICATION PROCESS TTrinity alumni Paddy Cosgrave and Oisin excellence at an undergraduate level, Awards and Journal don’t just focus on each year. It is estimated that, in the fi eld and the programme has created a unique the guys and girls at the very top of the across academia and the public, private of economics alone, Irish students write opportunity for achievement. The awards class, they focus on everyone in the class… and citizen sectors.” around 25,000 essays each year, and » The Awards are currently WILLIAM HAMILTON MEDAL panel is currently accepting submissions So, you might not write an essay that gets The Awards launch took place in the Cosgrave believes that the launch of the open to undergraduates at over the coming weeks and months in top marks, but you may happen to be Royal Irish Academy. An assembly of awards will not only help to unearth the all of Ireland’s universities, as AMONG THE many prizes six academic fi elds, and all third level asking questions or investigating issues academics, politicians and corporate most brilliant ideas contained therein, well as graduates of the class offered to winners of the Awards, disciplines are expected to be opened that Forfás, the government’s policy partners were addressed by both the but also create a system whereby students of 2007/2008. At present, the William Rowan Hamilton for entrants. In October 2009, the fi rst development unit, recognise. So what founders of the scheme and several will “be encouraged to create even better submissions are accepted in Medal will be presented to issue of the Undergraduate Journal of happens? Well, you’ll get a phone call from members of the board, including ideas”. six disciplines: business, law, the outstanding essayist in the Ireland will publish the papers, projects, us saying that you’ve won a scholarship to Professor Ferdinand von Prondzinsky, In addition to helping to inspire economics, engineering and fi eld of arts. It is named for essays and dissertations considered most attend a think-in with Forfas. Everything President of DCU, and Martin Curley, students, Cosgrave believes that the politics. More categories will one of Trinity’s most successful outstanding by the judging panel. is paid for. All you have to do is bring your Global Research Director for Intel. launch of the Awards will be good for be opening over the coming students: Hamilton (1805 – 1865) In addition to the national recognition brain. We will be repeating that with all Von Prondzinsky spoke about what he the country as a whole. “You’ve got to weeks and months. was an astronomer, physicist, that publication in the Journal would sorts of organisations.” considered to be the failings of the current remember that for Ireland to survive » The work submitted can be mathematician and linguist. He bring, and the possibility winning a spot The newly-launched website for the academic climate, sharing an anecdote internationally we need to create a from any year of your de- was particularly skilled in the prizes, the Awards give students the generation of knowledge creators and gree, and can include essays, fi eld of geometry, and is known chance to have their unique voices heard innovators,” he said. “It’s no longer about papers and group projects. to have mastered at least twelve by experts in their chosen fi eld. THE FOUNDERS a handful of super-bright students; it’s You may submit as many es- languages, including Hebrew, Judges for the Awards include leaders now about creating an entire generation says, projects or papers as you Persian, Arabic and Sanskrit. in the fi elds of academia, journalism and THE DRIVING force behind by 300 young leaders drawn from of world class knowledge creators and want, but only pre-corrected Hamilton, for whom the Hamilton the corporate sector. Maeve Donovan, the awards is a pair of Trinity 150 UN member states. In 2007, he innovators.” coursework will be accepted. building is named, was arguably Managing Director of the Irish Times, graduates, Paddy Cosgrave and founded Rock the Vote Ireland and The enthusiasm with which he and The mark received for the es- the most outstanding student Peter Sutherland, Chairman of BP and Oisin Hanrahan. Mycandidate.ie. his board and panels have approached say, along with the name and in Trinity’s history, achieving a Goldman Sachs, and Danuta Gray, CEO Paddy was President of the Phil Oisin is a business and the project is undeniable, and although email of the lecturer, must be fi rst in every subject and at every of O2 are among the members of the during its 320th session, from 2004 economics graduate and scholar it is recognised that it will probably take included in your submission. examination. He obtained the panel, while the board of the awards to 2005. While head of the society, of Trinity. During his college years at least three years for the Awards and Although works of any length rare distinction of an optime for includes the Presidents of UL, DCU and he brought guests including Bertie he became involved in real estate Journal to fully develop, the atmosphere may be submitted, items that both Greek and physics, and NUIG, along with Trinity’s Vice-Provost, Ahern, John McCain, Archbishop development in Budapest and surrounding the scheme in its infancy is are less than 4,000 words are was appointed to the Andrews Professor Paddy Prendergast. Desmond Tutu and Salman Rushdie subsequently founded Clearwater one of wholehearted enthusiasm. preferred, and the style of Professorship of Astronomy in Sub-panels to peer review each specifi c to Trinity. In 2006, he was elected Developments Hungary. He is Particularly in the current formatting and citation must the University of Dublin at the fi eld will be formed and announced as chairman of the UN ITU Global involved in a number of start-up uncertain economic climate, with adhere to the standards used age of 22. the competition progresses. Essays that Youth Forum for a three year term businesses in Dublin. many undergraduates facing worrying in your fi eld. are to appear in the Journal, along with employment prospects, the project will TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS Tuesday, October 14, 2008 October 28, 2008 NEWS FEATURES 9 Memories of McDowell: a Trinity legend departs A fi xture on campus for decades, RB McDowell helped shape the college experience of genera- tions of students. Anne Leonard looks back at

the career of the Junior Dean to end them all. Dr McDowell by West Chapel in September 2006 after leaving a champagne lunch in the Atrium, held to celebrate the life of Cecil Erskine, Professor of Anatomy 1947--1984, who passed away that year. Photo: Dr Lawrence Erskine.

or the fi rst time in decades, the extravagant premise was true. Not only smart society hostesses, and although his In such circumstances one immediately iconic fi gure of Dr RB McDowell was he in sole charge of accommodation dress is not always to match he occasion, looks for the edge of a grey scarf, a is missing from Front Square. and discipline, he was everywhere. No his verbosity is.” scattered trilby hat, a fragment of elderly FSeventy-five years after first party was complete without his presence Forty years on, Dr McDowell is still gown, crumpled lecture notes, or an old entering Trinity, he has left his rooms – and none could take place without his dazzling audiences. In 2003 he spoke shoe protruding from the circumference in the Rubrics and retired to Celbridge sanction. He famously coxed a four for at a dinner in London – a sell-out, with of the calamity. Then I looked up, in time where he is continuing to see friends and the Boat Club, and won the race. He many on a waiting list. The vote of thanks to see McDowell slowly, bravely, but with give interviews, and has started work yet appeared regularly on television and was proposed by Terence Brady, who awesome determination, climbing the another book. starred in the programmes. And he spent reported: “Finally he was introduced and stairs to interview someone at the top.” Earlier this year, he published his his weekends socialising in the greatest he was up on his feet. He was up on his Only recently, a famous tycoon, autobiography, McDowell on McDowell, houses of the land. feet, not like any other 90-year-old, but employing several thousand people in the hard on the heels of not one, but two, RB McDowell was the most successful, like a greyhound slipped from the traps… North of Ireland, told how he, and a now- books of stories all about him: The Junior and most unforgettable, holder of the the sound was wonderfully lucid, poetic, very-distinguished academic, spent the Dean: Encounters with a Legend (2003) offi ce of Junior Dean in the entire history even, and it fl oated over the packed dining rest of the night hiding on the scaffolding and The Magnifi cent McDowell: Trinity of Trinity. Much of his job entailed room the way a fl ute played exquisitely in the freezing cold to avoid getting caught in the Golden Era (2006). Written by controlling people’s sex lives, i.e. keeping can be heard for miles even when played and having to face McDowell. A verbal graduates, colleagues and fans from all them, if they existed in those days, outside over the world, these books, are, as far as the precincts. A hopeless enterprise. anybody knows, unique, for no other don Students today would be amazed by HOW TRINITY NEWS REPORTED MCDOWELL’S APPOINTMENT the efforts involved: porters entering On October 1st a new Junior Dean 7. Known by the natives of Trinity rooms at 7am to look under the beds, was appointed. Dr. W. F. Pyle, as the Man-who-never-sleeps, it is for example. One feature of these efforts F.T.C.D., has been promoted to likely that many of the night activi- A verbal lashing from involved the ceremony known as Night Junior Proctor, and Dr. R. B. Mac- ties which so enlivened last term will Roll when, at 10pm, winter or summer, the JD was something Dowell fi lls his place as Junior Dean. be curtailed. Already one enterpris- the Junior Dean, preceded by a porter of Dr. MacDowell, a very familiar fi g- ing undergraduate has been caught you wouldn’t infl ict on the night watch bearing a lighted lantern, ure in Trinity, is a lecturer in History. entering the GMB at 3 o’clock in your worst enemy. conducted roll call in the Dining Hall. Its purpose was to check that everyone He already has shown proof of his the morning to have a game with who should be ‘in’ was in and not out. abilities as Junior Dean in several the ghosts. The prospect of fi nding in academia anywhere has ever received (Most people exited over a wall shortly spectacular arrests. Notably, he that the helping hand which guides such an accolade. Another ‘first’ for afterwards.) apprehended several gentlemen you to the last foot-hold is that of Trinity! To be fair, none of this reflected the other night who felt it right and the Junior Dean must daunt any Dr McDowell’s distinguished Dr McDowell’s views. He was merely proper to set fi re to the cellar in No. would-be Campanile climber. academic career, his many publications, following the rules of the day, observing his multitudinous achievements are all the strictures laid down by the Board well documented. You can look him up some hundred years previously when, pianissimo. He spoke ex tempore and lashing from the JD was something you on Wikipedia and you can see him on to quote Trinity News again, “like the he spoke with such brilliance, wit and wouldn’t infl ict on your worst enemy. YouTube. But to have any inkling as to monastic settlement on Mount Athos, understanding that it was, well… simply I had coffee with him in the Arts what inspired 300 people or more to the male citadel of Trinity was kept pure breathtaking. It was a performance – and, Building not long ago. The coffee bar reach for pen and paper and write down from six o’clock in the evening, when the believe you me, performance is absolutely was packed and I thought how strange Painting ‘RB McDowell leaving the Rubrics’ by Derek Hill, their memories of him – not to mention last woman was ushered through Front the right word – of such a staggering it was for him to be there, incognito – he auctioned in 2001 at Christie’s, South Kensington, for the thousands of others who reached Gate.” who had been the centrepiece of college 23,500 pounds. for their wallets and actually bought the In 1962, when I learned that “RB” was life for so many decades. But suddenly, books – then you need to delve deeper for “the greatest talker in Ireland”, Trinity “...where may his equal all changed for he dropped his purse, this man is in a class of his own. News put a spin on it: “It is rumored that scattering coins all over the fl oor. In a Trinity News recognised his uniqueness he exists on dinners, that is dinners to be found? Not in Oxford fl ash, every student had jumped up and back in 1958: “But Dr McDowell the which he is invited as a speaker, and I or Cambridge, certainly; was rushing around to pick up the coins man, the character, that superb artistic have no reason to doubt this rumour. For and – this was the extraordinary thing – creation, where may his equal be found? he is a brilliant after-dinner orator, and is only, perhaps, in the then they queued up to hand the coins Not in Oxford or Cambridge, certainly; constantly in demand in Dublin for post- back to him, personally. It was their way only, perhaps, in the pages of Lewis prandial entertainment. Sometimes his pages of Lewis Carroll” of getting introduced. So they did know Carroll, could he fi nd a worthy peer.” train of thought is diffi cult to follow; that’s who he was! Not so incognito, I realised, And, as far as undergraduates were an understatement, it’s often impossible. intellectual and humorous virtuosity, after all! concerned, he was the only man who Nevertheless, once accustomed to his that he more than fully deserved (if Now that he is no longer resident mattered in Ireland because he was the various idiosyncrasies of speech one is that’s possible) the standing ovation in Trinity, returning alumni will be Junior Dean and thus in sole charge of entranced by the fl uent wit and wealth of that he received, just as he deserved the disappointed not to see the familiar fi gure life in college. I soon found out that this knowledge. His presence is demanded by spontaneous rendition of ‘For He’s a Jolly proceeding across the cobbles. “It’s a Good Fellow’ that followed instantly.” comfort to see him – time has stood still,’ After 13 years in office, when it said one. The writer JX Brennan returned was time to appoint successors, it was to Trinity after a gap of 30 years. Here he realised that no single person could recalls their reunion: “I was privileged to ever undertake all those tasks again. dine with Brendan McDowell at the Quo Professor Brendan Kennelly, one of Vadis and I was delighted to see that he the new appointees, expressed his fear had not changed in essentials. He had that he couldn’t remember all the rules aged, of course, but nowhere near as and regulations. But he was reassured. much as we had. His conversation was “After all, Kennelly,” said McDowell, as lively and as captivating as ever. It was “you’ve broken more or less all of them the highlight of my week in Dublin, after yourself!” several decades’ absence. Now that he is Another successor, Professor John entering his 95th year, I am convinced Gaskin, remembers getting a sharp that he is a permanent landmark, foretaste of what the job entailed: “I was certainly so in all our affections.” appointed as one of the fi rst ‘assistants’ The Lewis Carroll fi gure identifi ed to the JD in the last months of his offi ce. by Trinity News all those years ago has It must have been at the end of his last stamped an everlasting hold on the Trinity term as JD. I was reading in my memories – and the emotions – of Trinity rooms at the top of House 24 in the people past and present. I feel confi dent Rubrics, dimly and reluctantly aware of that there will be no shortage of people party noise that was becoming excessive making the trek out to Celbridge. from somewhere within number 38. My sitting room overlooked New Square. Anne Leonard’s books of I could see McDowell heading for the anecdotes about RB McDowell, trouble. The matter was in safer hands The Junior Dean: Encounters with than mine. He disappeared from view. a Legend and The Magnifi cent A brief pause ensued, then a prolonged McDowell: Trinity in the Golden Era crashing, breaking roar of noise; then are available in the Library Shop and silence. I ran down the many steps at www.themagnifi centmcdowell.com. and across to number 38. At the foot Dr McDowell’s memoir, McDowell on of the stone stairwell – still emitting McDowell, published this year, is also pings, twangs and groans, like a newly available in the Library Shop. commissioned concerto for percussion Dr McDowell in Library Square returning to his rooms in Rubrics after commons one evening in May and random silences – lay the crushed and 2004. Photo: Peter Henry disintegrating remains of a full-size piano. TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS Tuesday, October 14, 2008 10 FEATURES October 28, 2008

SPECIAL FEATURE SHOPPING WITH A CONSCIENCE

“I saw children as The brutal young as fi ve or six peddling business of away” CHARLOTTE sweatshops COLLINS

hilst travelling around India the Despite allowing terrible conditions and mines- great truths of the sweatshops were laid plain for me to see. One had cule wages, sweatshops remain prevalent all only to look down any number of Wthe little cobbled streets of Varanasi or peer over the world. Charlotte Collins examines the into an old stone building in the heart of Jaipur in order to catch a glimpse of this relentless business realities, how retail moguls avoid re- productivity. I saw children as young as fi ve or six sponsibility and what we can do to help. peddling away on intricate looking machines, producing silk at a rate that was quite unimaginable. In Jaipur I was shown around THE THIRST for fashion, with its distribute finished product to the workrooms that produced the fi ne silks and unfaltering flux and change is at the likes of Green and Al Fayed. It is elaborate pashminas that would soon grace forefront of high street shopping, so it is down to them to hire the sewing those handsomely decorated walls of Harrods. no wonder that today’s sought after ‘It’ contractors and sub-contractors. I wondered at that time whether Mr Al Fayed, bag will, in the blink of an eye, become These contactors are responsible whose own charitable inclinations are made yesterdays news. Last year the British and for overseeing the garment workers known through extensive work with Francis Irish spent over 700m euros on cosmetics who sew together parts of garment House, The Al Fayed Foundation and Al Fayed alone. cut from textiles. The uncensored School, might feel slightly uneasy knowing that It seems we are hell bent on having reality of these workhouses, which his sought after product was created by a child. it all. But in this mad rush of seemingly are located literally all over the globe, When confronted with a workroom such as insatiable desire we, as consumers, is shocking, to say the least. those I encountered in Jaipur one is confronted might want to take a moment to Despite the prevailing ideological with a kind of cloudy confusion. On the one think about how these sought after trends of the last few years, which hand, it seems appalling that anyone, but in products are manufactured and at consistently emphasise the moral particular, a child should have to work so many what cost? values of “Fair Trade” and “Green hours in such a dark condition for so little gain. Behind the glossy windows of living”, sweatshops still continue. However, the element of confusion derives upmarket department stores and They underpin the profi ts of huge more so from the idea that without this beyond their rails of alluring prints brands such as Nike, Gap and and fancy fabrics is an undesirable Primark, all of whom have faced high reality: the sweatshop. profi le court cases over the last few The name can be understood quite years. literally in the sense of productivity In order to understand the and output being “sweated” out of continued prevalence of sweatshops, A sweatshop in conditions in which they carry out purchasing index. Consumption of those who work inside a factory’s and the role they play both in our Bangkok. Photo: their arduous twelve-hour days. Fairtrade food has doubled in the past four walls. Considered in the context lives and in our economies we must Ronn D’aldamass There seems to be no corporate three years, and the British now drink of the garment industry’s hierarchy, examine the process by which clothes responsibility. Instead there is what 1.7 million cups of Fairtrade coffee, these workers are at the bottom, are made and then sold on to us as could charitably be described as a tea and cocoa every day. More than seated in the shadows. consumers. We must examine how complete ignorance of sweatshop 130 brands now carry the Fairtrade responsibility is dodged at every conditions, but, more plausibly, the mark, indicating that manufacturers level. “big dogs” are turning a blind eye to recognise the kudos of having an As justifi cation, the retailers at the problem. ethical stamp on their products.” “Fierce competition Gap would perhaps claim that, whilst The hierarchy is vast and According to Kelly, the conscious for jobs puts most they are responsible for finding unforgiving and relations very quickly decisions we make to shop ethically worthy manufacturers, beyond grow cold between the differing levels and fairly, however small and contractors in a position that point, their remit ends, as the of manufacturing. seemingly insignifi cant, have wider to dictate terms to their manufacturers are responsible for What then, if anything, can we do repercussions within the industry. fi nding their own contractors. to change the lives of these garment After all, the market is dictated by employees. Workers It is at the level of the contractor workers? Surely it is impossible to consumers. that we see the worst abuses of claim that one individual taking a Surely then, with statistics backing accept whatever low workers. It is the contractors who stand against unethical consumerism this very view, one can make an wage is offered.” recruit, hire, and pay the garment can change anything at all? It would informed decision that their dismissal workers. Fierce competition for jobs seem likely that one Fairtrade of unethical goods, whether they be At the top, in the bright light of day, puts most contractors, or factories, purchase made in Topshop does little food, coffee, clothes, or shoes will the major retailers convene, making in a position to dictate terms to their to alter the daily realities of life as a add weight to the growing wave of vast profi ts. Life at the top is played employees. This “take it or leave sweatshop labourer. consumer morality. out amongst the hustle and bustle of it” attitude means that workers Annie Kelly however, author of Whilst we may not be able, single a prosperous working environment. must accept whatever low price the an article entitled “The Rise of the handedly, to eradicate the sweatshops Topshop boss Sir Philip Green and manager is offering, or see the work Ethical Woman”, would ardently still teeming with workers who have entrepreneur Mohammed Al Fayed, contract awarded to another factory. argue to the contrary. She emphasises no choice but to slave away in terrible owner of upmarket brands Harrods Contract prices are often driven the positive infl uence a woman can conditions, we can make a conscious and House of Fraser, epitomise down to a level that makes it have on fi nancial turnaround of the decision to take small steps towards this enormous success and reap the impossible for factories to pay legal clothing industry. She remarks that, a fairer future. So when we see those fi nancial rewards that can be made in wages or comply with safety laws, “ethical purchasing, it seems, does glorious-looking black snakeskin this industry. and it is in this context that those at make a difference. Boycotts cost sandals calling out to us from behind Below these impresarios are the top deny responsibility for those big brands £2.6bn a year, according frosted glass, we should wonder from Photo: Ronn D’aldamass the manufacturers who sell and workers at the bottom and for the to the Co-operative Bank’s ethical whose hands they were born.

particular workroom, these people might be considerably worse off. I asked our guide to this shadowy home to ask one of the little boys how they found working here. The response was not that of a distressed individual but of a child who knew of nothing else and was indeed happy, or at the very least Save the world: shop second-hand

ARY okay with what they had. ELL N FF E S T T R ST REE A R E E S ST E T OT R R G A T N N TALB REET O O I S O I L L R T H K P AD H S T Later we were taken to the store room where 1. Harlequin A ARBOUR T EAST WAL PL By Emily Monk HENRY REET IFSC D CA D T T E S T EL E MARY

S FI P R C U S T O BOW ST M piles and piles of the most wildly beautiful 2. Oxfam H T E T A Y H O CONYNGHAM ROAD PARK R Y S LA N E EE QU U S E Q U THE GATE STREET S M A R EN A Y B E N B U R B IT T D S T R E E T L ST S E N O R T H H W WO UEEN B BEY K A L L SM L POINT C ALEXANDRA BLACKHALL " L F A G Q U E T O Q S WA Y E O R G A Y N E Q U A Y R LOR H Q E S silks I have ever seen were stacked like books 3. Barnardos E L L I S EET HE RG Q RIVER EGD BASI Q UCHA N TR # C U Y N C Y A ERY S BA B C V R R R ITY Q I C T O R A QY LW Y UA L R I CH Y S A Q U A N ND Q IFFE Y EE O U Q RM N S I IR T S U O R H E R A TO J O HN Y EVENS S Y R S R T I SL UP A T O W N S E N D OGERS in some untamed library. All these wondrous KATE MOSS wants to get married in a 4. Oxfam D U ND QY QY S T R E O N QUA I E B A SH N N S Q Y ORM O T N T Y O ER TO P EAST LINK R GS S NG E T I A H ’ S Q U ELL RS A N O LL N A Y W E STRE V E R CITY BY-PASS

Y H B M A S

LAN E R Q U T R C T S O H A N E E A OT

cloths were made by the hand of such infancy, vintage dress, Agyness Deyn buys most 5. Cancer Re- I T S T J FOOT S D G E T HAN E STR E OV . GE E D A ME ER Y W T QU O WALTIN T TRINITY A S S T PE Y RK ID

T S T R D O A R OA A R S R D S BR W KILMAINHAM T H O M S T R E ED E COLLEGE S of her clothes from markets and Alexa T A S D E with such care and dedication. I thought of search E G E S T H E R T D N S R E E R R N T R T G A A E T O O WI I L CKLOW SSAU E T QUAY S L TREE H F E ST T S RANC G T T ST S S ' ME R T S S E $ RE I S N Chung is a self-proclaimed raider of G T E GS those oblivious shoppers tottering around 6. Charity Shop M T W E N H S AT A E M T I F N L EN A S IA D D I & N A J N R O RAINSFORD ST H S S S ST I TEPH T CANAL R T !WI O E S N

WERBURGHST ST S S S I H G S children’s rails in Oxfam. T T 7. St Vincent T RAFTO R the squeaky-clean marbled fl oors of Harrods, T A M PI NO H S A D H A I N REE E W K I L M E G R N BR E R

O L D N ET ST T D T ML A MACKEN

A H. ST MERR H L E OO R K IN C O E G D N T A

K N T R ST W LDARE S N FI O IC T S IO Q ION

Second-hand clothes are not only ELD HE I A D SHELBOURNE BAT picking out one of these treasures without ST UARE N B N L C K GRAND R A O OO YO O LOWER MOUNT ST S OTTS

W RK SO E R T E R P A T R I C K S T R PARK STADIUM D MB S T L S I R O E TREE T H MERR U T E

U T O D T V H I O C G T S H H O

I R R KEV R C R M

U ARDEE N L A I E TH A S G

R N RRIO UPR environmentally friendly, but they’re B the slightest realisation of the modest little R S

U N T WE N U D E

A ST STEPHENS T E M R A R R O UPPER MOUNT ST O B ST W O M S S E T E NU T KEVIN ST GREEN T H AV A CUFFE ST L BAT cheap, unsupportive of sweatshops and W S T O N workshop and equally little hands they were E S W D E SO E O S T E R D

E D T U EA D H N T R ON E H K A LANSDOWNE

E B T E RUGBY GROUND BEACH R E O R S O A H

% E R RO L D M HEYTESBURY R

U R B G U B T R seemingly fashionable as well. Even Lily T LR A born from. It is amazing when realisation sets in. E E G M O

I S M O T O N T S O N S R R S U U L

A G S PE E A

L T S E LE B V T T O H A S A N

V C E R E L A R GTO P RO C N L S Y T G

E N I E N I D D

N R I FITZWILLIAM STREET T R N ID H C N U S I R S N T Allen has a mock-vintage line in New E What one thought one knew is violently shaken. R L B Y E U U O S R O V A A G I D D H A M

L E A O N EW E CO ST N N D N DOLPHINS ES F HADD D D A K N A

R M E R O V R HA T S R R H O R CH ST UPR L S Y S NE E B L T R D

HA S T W R O A A A TC H A B S M O U R ' R R U D E

Look; therefore it must be cool. R BARN N ERRAC R

C T P R TR How ignorant we all are, how lucky, how spoilt. H T T A R R S N N T EE T S R O A D

O I E N N

I A D O A L B

W E O R TO O A A D T E

A T R D G L O A L R

ER C D E L A I D E G E A R L A O D D A O R C F A WI I T S

D D T D T T A D O PE As penniless students on the brink S F A D M

The dilemma posed by these sweatshops is B O

O T R R R R O R O U K E O

A S MESP A R

U T T D L CE A A U LA N O D

H C P AD E P ND T E L R C R ON D O V D A I M A E S R O E R T A of a recession, there is no better way to L RO something of a Catch-22 scenario. By closing S R R U A E U N A G D E A SSIL ST CH S S S N N EL L R OO T NDP I GI E

L B A O E N CHM R Y A R L O N N X A L R G R D I E A U

O RI N O AN L R T N A GTO save a couple of quid than to cut back on LLARNE R D U ERL E down a particular workroom, what could C I D D A L D

K R A N LEE S B N S C R N V A A D T T I AND U V E R O E G RO A U A D A N N D O M RD P R P I R OK LL OA R be gained? A room full of children would buying unnecessary things. Nowadays, W R be without their jobs, dismal as they were. one can get a whole outfi t for a fi ver by In actual fact, many second hand detrimental to the environment; by re- be almost assured your pieces will They would be forced to fi nd a new source only buying “previously-owned” clothes shops contain never-worn high-street using other people’s unwanted clothes reign unchallenged. (Though be careful of income. This new source of income might and accessories. garments anyway. Why not look there we are undoubtedly lessening (albeit not to stumble past a Ballsbridge W.I. very well be another seedy sweatshop, where Arguably, in a time where Penneys, fi rst? perhaps not to stratospheric measures) meeting in a vintage fl oral number as demand for workers is unfaltering. H & M and Dunnes can kit you out for Unfortunately it is sometimes obvious our personal contribution to universal you may have to compete with an array For the fi rst time since considering this huge only a little more, it may not seem worth why they have never been worn. meltdown. of original versions). problem, I saw the situation from another the hassle of rummaging through second Dublin hosts a plethora of charity What’s more, we can avoid any All in all, second-hand clothes are perspective than that of a bog-standard hand shops. But it is this type of attitude, shops, all too happy for custom and responsibility for the horrendous practically faultless. I should note that it westerner. I realised that, although in an ideal dubbed “disposable shopping”, that can just to make things even better, money working conditions and miserable wages can take a bit of practise and often lots world we would move these people, these be the most socially and environmentally spent goes to a good cause. (Though I of the sweatshops. Green and Al Fayed of time to fi nd the real gems. children, from a sweatshop environment into harmful. did notice Oxfam closed for a couple can never feel this guilt-free. I’ve known kitchen tables adorned schooling, and would try and erase sweatshops We buy a top for two euros, which we of weeks in June for ‘refurbishment’; Finally — though benefi ts are quite with mermaid shorts and brown suede from the consciousness of society, life is not may or may not wear, simply because debateable whether the wall’s need for possibly limitless — every girl worries shirts lying nervously in the shadows of that simple. Without a job life becomes even it is only two euros. It only costs us two paint is greater than the African’s need about turning up to a party in the same new owners’ proud, peering faces. more bleak for these people. euros because the Indian child who for food.) dress / top / earrings as someone else. But this is surely a risk we should be I felt for the fi rst time that those children made the top was paid two euros for Similarly conscious-salvaging is the Heaven forbid the rival should be taller, willing to take, especially if it helps us might be better off in the room than out of it. the fortnight it took her to make fi ve idea of minimising global warming. thinner, browner and blonder than she. on our route to St. Peter and his pearly hundred of the same top. Clothing factories are signifi cantly With second-hand clothes one can gates. TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS Tuesday, October 14, 2008 October 28, 2008 FEATURES 11 Choosing your faith in a world of choice

With so much choice and constant change how are we supposed to chose our beliefs? Nina Brown discusses the power of imagination in personalising our religion.

WAS watching an ant the other day might one day decide to learn more about that was on its way somewhere. Christianity, Kabbalah, Buddhism, Islam It stopped when it reached my or any one of the weird and wonderful toast crumbs. For fi fteen minutes ‘religions’ that pervade societies. it circled the crumbs; it seemed ‘The supermarket of the faiths’, I Iagitated, uncertain. It tried and tested, once read it described as; the modern stopped and started. I don’t know what it phenomenon of taking various strands was looking for but its seeming dilemma of different religions to correspond to over which crumb to hulk back home the needs of each individual. A kind of made me empathise with it. What was it ‘Supermarket Sweep’ if you like, with testing for? The ultimate crumb? It was so Dale Winton as charming as ever but absorbed in crumb testing that it didn’t with whiter teeth, more echoing, ethereal seem to notice when the deathly shadow vocals and some kind of staff or poker of my teaspoon loomed over it. to nudge us towards our chosen aisle. Enough with the ant story, I want to talk Some of these newfound faiths gain a about something that has been playing on following and mark their territory with my mind. Where to put my faith? Which red strings, rituals, chanting, clothes, trusty crumb would I have picked up? or crosses. But at the end of the day, These days it seems that things, people, aren’t all these ‘religions’ just new and countries, gadgets, icebergs are in such ever more overlapping and intertwining a fl uid state of change that trusting in paths leading to the same ultimate something is like hazarding a bet on the goal of spiritual enlightenment? Or, roulette board. The world is restless and perhaps more simply, some kind of pure so are its people. I don’t know whether happiness? A Theology teacher once told to put my trust in an American or a me that an English Sikh priest had once Japanese phone, a pizza or a steak and told her that in Sikhism they realise that ale pie, pump and tone or tai-chi, Italy ‘all motorways lead to London’. They as or England…there’s just so much choice! Sikhs have chosen one such road to drive As humans we function better when we down and navigate, come traffi c jams, have fundamental, apparently concrete incidents, breakdowns or blockages. certainties upon which we can build our So Sikhs acknowledge that there are lives. The certainty of night and day, of fundamental differences in thought, next month’s pay-check, of the arrival character and outlook that exist between Liberated or let down from religious words over supper. TV shows that we are obviously still of Summer, and, most importantly in people of different faiths but that they are tradition that has kept our ancestors Maybe the massive rise in the wondering what it means to be human. the case of this article, the established all heading in the same direction towards hopeful of redemption and mindful of popularity of reality TV illustrates not Recent revelations in our understanding certainty of the existence of any particular the same goal. These are differences virtue, it seems that we must take our only our desire to feel normal but also our of fundamental differences between god, spirit or divine power in general. We that inspire thought, promote change models of good and bad increasingly from need to have something to follow, to direct brain structures of men and women — learn History to give us a certainty of our and respect, and should teach us of the the world around us. Not just the people and to teach us. In that sense these shows previously thought to be largely similar heritage and perhaps some hint as to potential wonders of expanding thought we grow up with and those we meet along ought to realise the effect they have on in their basic layouts — highlights, in how we ought to lead our lives. Or in my existing in our world. They are differences the way, but also our family, friends and people and direct them in positive ways. my eyes, how much about us remains Granny’s case, we embroider intricate that can’t and shouldn’t be overlooked or idols. But is our supposed freedom from The new show The Family has moved unknown to us. There is so much yet to family trees detailing the lives of relations swept under the carpet. How much can the restraints of religion actually self- back to the original model of simple but explore inside ourselves and our fellow we never knew but to whom we owe our we learn from each and every individual? destructive, forcing us to either abandon effective reality TV showing a normal humans; maybe the answer to my search existence. Our endless quest for certainty With religion and instilled ways of the idea of virtue and right or wrong family go about its normal day-to-day for faith is within the person sitting on through knowledge, whether we hunt it living broken down or disappeared, we ways of behaving, or to turn inwards business; maybe this family will become the next computer. The signifi cance of down for its own sake or as a means to are left with no set rules by which to live to evaluate our actions and decide for the model for millions. The incredible the subconscious world is another vast achieve another far-fl ung target, seems our lives. There is no framework that ourselves what is right and wrong. Are number of people willing to do just about plateau open to interpretation, as is the to prove this. serves as part of the concrete certainty we ready to do this? Do we now keep the anything if a camera is stuck in front of beginning of the world, the end of the With so many millions of people on which we can build happy lives. But faith by letting Super Nanny tell us how them perhaps refl ects how far we have universe, love; all fundamental questions journeying around the globe hunting down without religion what is there? With no to look after our own children, or the moved from any sense of what is decent, that have spawned some of the most their perfect crumb of toast, leaving their great powerful gods, whom do we turn incredible Hulk Hogan tell us he knows funny, worthy of praise, or interesting to awesome art, thought, literature known established ways of life to discover new to when we are unhappy or when fl oods ‘It seems established best by divorcing his wife, or by watching watch. Or am I just being stuck-up, boring to man. It is in our hands to carry on lands of personal freedom, equality and kill, volcanoes explode and winds whip that as humans we My Super Sweet Sixteen and seeing how and not rolling with it? Maybe if the BBC imagining, and to let our imagination endless possibility, the temptation to try up entire cities? Justin Jennings writes the other half live and realising that they showed the Iraqi reality TV show Labor take us over the Leopardian hedge which new things out becomes irresistible. With in his article entitled ‘Catastrophe, function better when are such a pretentious bunch of idiots and Materials set in Baghdad where they blocks our view of the infi nite horizon so many new ideas we start questioning Revitalization and Religious Change on we have fundamental, that we wouldn’t want their money rebuild houses bombed by US and British beyond. Until we stop being able to our supposed certainties. So I might opt the prehispanic North Coast of Peru’ that anyway. Or is it by watching a bunch of forces, people might fi nally turn over imagine, surely we can never lose faith, for tai-chi and the spirituality it brings “there has been insuffi cient attention paid apparently concrete freaks in a house and feeling satisfi ed and from watching Kerry Katona’s bouncing but can only revel in the fact that we don’t with it, whilst at the same time saying to the social and psychological impact of relieved that we are ‘normal’ and not a bosoms on MTV. yet fully understand and so we can only my prayers and going to confession. In disasters. Disasters can stimulate far- certainties upon which trans-gendered lesbian with fake tits who Moving quickly on before I start continue to probe and suppose? the same way as a born and bred Jew reaching religious changes.” we can build our lives. ‘ fancies little boys and screams out swear ranting, at least the obsession with reality Romance is dead; no sex in this city

doesn’t. To put this in perspective for the night out. My immediate thoughts were organising dinner as he was about go have resigned myself to this strategy for Could there possibly be a single worthwhile men who may be reading, imagine your that there is possibly a very decent away on a weekend break with friends going out from here on in. Or at least as favourite sporting team/player reaching guy here. Do not scare him off and Upon receiving no reply I decided to give long as I can hold out before the feelings man left in Dublin for our dissapointed and the fi nal in their relative discipline. They more importantly do not under any him the benefi t of the doubt and wait it of utter terror of living a life of solitude are one penalty, try, hole, length, shot or circumstances act desperate, sad, lonely out until Monday. I never heard from rise again, which in my world translates lonely correspondant? Answers on a postcard step away from winning and instead of or possessive; generally avoid the maniac him again. Great. I am utterly forgettable into five days. Not exactly a colossal the going the distance and pulling it off, territory altogether. He was well spoken, and yet again shut down by a guy who amount of time but after three years to Trinity News... they fail, miserably. All men are familiar had fantastic dress sense and could I thought was the best thing since the of being single I think its equivalent to with this emotion, and it is similar (to put make me laugh. We got on swimmingly second coming of Wispas. reaching the summit of Mount Everest. it lightly) to the level of frustration we feel and phone numbers were exchanged; a This incident was the low point (I lie, The current dating climate in Dublin DON’T really know how I got someone else, especially someone who when you don’t call us back. very profi table night so to speak. Later a taxi driver calling me desperate was the has caused me to consider having myself to this point. I mean I have you only went out with for a month but While I might sound like a broken that week we went for drinks; another low point, but whatever psychological committed due to sheer frustration. So always considered myself to be a is without a doubt the unrequited love of record, this is the ultimate reality of successful night whereby the notion of effect that might have on me is too great if you ever see a girl being carted out of reasonably normal, well balanced your life. Yawn; every woman has heard dating in Dublin, or anywhere else as dinner next week was suggested. Finally to deal with here). After that night I came a bar by some men in white coats take person with no major vices or that line before. a matter of fact. However, I did quite I had found a worthy guy who knew how to the conclusion that perhaps I need to solace in the fact that you are not alone Ilunatic ways to speak of (one can hope at Another thing that I’ve noticed is that recently believe that my status as the to treat a woman. This fantasy was soon stop looking for a man. Rather I should and remember there are plenty more fi sh least), but it has come to the stage where chivalry in Dublin is dead. Gone are the eternal singleton was about to change. to turn to an absolute nightmare because sit back and let them come to me. If a guy in the sea. What a cliché and the saying of I have realised, no matter how hard I try, days when a door would be held open for I was introduced by a friend of a friend surprise; he was just like every other can’t see what a wonderful person I am people who are truly grasping at straws, I cannot seem to snare a man. While the you or a man would help you put on your to a highly suitable prospect on a recent guy out there. I texted him to suggest then he is obviously not worth my time. I mainly me. word snare may seem a little bit strong, coat. I noticed this anomaly on a recent even crossing into the desperate spinster night out whereby I was walking into a territory, it is ultimately called for. bar and assumed that the man striding in Recently I have been having visions of front of me would hold the door open. (I myself in my latter years as the crazy old realise now that this assumption was my women who now sits on the porch of her ultinmate downfall). Instead, he let it go house hurling cats at innocent passers by and to save myself from a broken nose and regaling children with the horrors of and a very embarrassing trip to E.R., I being alone. Trying to fi nd a semi decent had to bear the weight of the entire door man in Dublin is harder than trying to with my shoulder. I woke up the next fi nd water in Death Valley. I have reached morning feeling as though I’d been in a my saturation point with regards to men scrum with the All Blacks, and had what who are, quite frankly, more useless than I can only describe as a contusion on my a torch at high noon, and whilst I don’t arm. Someone, obviously a guy, later in want to sound bitter, (one should always the week enquired if I had been bitten. I remain positive in such situations) it is was not impressed. While I am a fi ercely becoming increasingly diffi cult not to. independent person, sometimes to the The problem with men nowadays is point where it is a hindrance rather than that they seem to have more issues than a help, it is still nice to be treated like a women, especially when it comes to lady. However, in the current dating dating. The forerunner in this category is climate this phenomena has most what I like to call ex-girlfriend syndrome. defi nitely dissipated. Men cannot seem to make the fi nal cut Finally, the ultimate annoyance in the when it comes to their exes. Instead they dating world of today is men’s inability to become preoccupied with the thought text or call back. Why this poses such a that maybe if they hold out long enough major problem I will never know. Men, she will realise her stupidity and return, if you are not going to call a girl back do ready to make the relationship work. not, I repeat do not, ask them for their Is it too much to This is a mistake and men please take number. You are wasting time and effort ask to be texted note, you broke up for a reason; move on everyone’s part and there is nothing back for that one on. There is nothing less attractive for more deeply frustrating to a girl than coffee, asks our a woman than feeling she is second to when a guy who has said he will call, correspondant TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS Tuesday, October 14, 2008 12 WORLD REVIEW October 28, 2008

EXPLAINED: SHORT SELLING Another facet of share volatility is the phenomenon of short selling, or shorting. Shorting allows trad- Bankers’ high- ers to bet on the share price of a company falling. It is a contro- versial practice aimed at making short-term gains that some be- lieve muddies the waters of share trading.

In October a citizen journalist stakes game of on CNN’s website reported that Apple CEO Steve Jobs had suf- fered a massive heart attack. Apple’s share price immediately dropped by nearly 10% before Apple could deny the rumour. The user, known only by his username Johntw, is now under musical chairs investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and is suspected of having made a kill- ing (no pun intended) by shorting The global downturn has sapped investors and consumers the stock. Such massive abuses are rare of confi dence, and with no rebound in sight, David Slattery though, and infl uential investors such as Warren Buffet actually takes the global banking crisis apart to fi nd out has brought argue that shorting helps to coun- ter the sort of rampant bullish the giants of fi nance to their knees (and what the ninjas had enthusiasm that leads to fi nancial bubbles. In an effort to smooth to do with it). out choppy markets, several countries, including the U.S., Brit- ain and Ireland, have limited or he financial turmoil of the with a poor or nonexistent credit history outlawed the practice. past year or so has been a who doesn’t qualify for a normal loan. The learning experience at least, higher interest rate attached to subprime the world’s last optimist borrowing is intended to account for might say. Terms like default, the increased riskiness of the individual. Tbailout and sub-prime have crept out of Subprime customers could range from economics lectures and entered common those with a poor credit rating because usage. A sushi restaurant on Dublin’s they missed a few credit card payments quays now sells a ‘Credit Crunch Lunch’, to the extreme scenario of what bankers for €17 with a glass of champagne, as if to disparagingly call NINJAS: no income, no fl aunt the decadence of a dying empire. job, no assets. But to your average Joe the plumber Such loans are a relatively new and (see facing page) these are little more risky phenomenon. The typical Victorian than buzzwords: foreign and mystifying concepts to pin on the wall and petulantly Fannie Mae and throw darts at. Freddie Mac Meanwhile the blame game continues. dominated the In the previous issue of World Review mortgage-backed one writer argued that we shouldn’t securities market be so quick to blame the bankers for the recent market mayhem. The great banker was one whose only interest was economist John Maynard Keynes, writing in making profitable and necessarily during the Great Depression, cynically secure loans. One might question why lamented that having a backbone seems a reputable bank would be interested in to be incompatible with being a banker. giving out a loan when there was a real “A sound banker is not one who foresees chance it might not get its money back. danger and avoids it, but one who, when Indeed, until recently banks wouldn’t he is ruined, is ruined in a conventional touch NINJAS. So what changed? Why the move toward giving such risky loans? Essentially we assume that all bankers Subprime loans are a are rational profi t maximisers, who, when presented with an opportunity to make a relatively new and risky quick profi t will immediately take it. If phenomenon. One a banker can issue a mortgage, receive Harry S. Truman, the U.S. president problem. Bears Stearns acquired by J. P. Morgan the payments for it and simultaneously who presided over a fraught upheaval of The dizzying game of musical chairs Chase. Meanwhile Swiss bank UBS had might question why a abdicate responsibility for it, then this the U.S. economy after the Second World was best described by Charles Prince, written down the value of its assets by is an opportunity not to be missed. The War, kept a sign on his desk that read, the former CEO of Citigroup. “When the almost $40 billion dollars by April, in the reputable bank would innovation which allowed them to do “The Buck Stops Here”. Global trading music stops, in terms of liquidity, things process acquiring the moniker UBS (Used be give out a loan when this was a fi nancial instrument called a of mortgages on a massive scale muddied will be complicated. But as long as the to Be Smart). Fannie Mae and Freddie mortgage-backed security. A mortgage- the waters of responsibility. It became music is playing, you’ve got to get up and Mac, the two institutions at the centre there was a real chance backed security works by bundling up less and less clear where the buck stopped dance. We’re still dancing,” Mr Prince of the subprime market, were effectively it might lose its money. thousands of similar mortgages into a and where responsibility really lay. This said in July 2007. Four months later he nationalised by the United States in package which can then be sold off to in turn led to what became known as resigned as Citigroup CEO when the September. So what changed? Why another fi nancial institution. The bank predatory lending: what economists company’s catastrophic third quarter Banks, by virtue of their sheer size, which sells the mortgages benefi ts from call the deceitful practice of seeking losses demonstrated beyond doubt that often underpin national share indices, the move toward giving an instant cash injection, and the buyer out borrowers who have little chance the music had long stopped playing. and the likes of the NASDAQ and the such risky loans? gains a constant stream of mortgage of comfortably making repayments. FTSE tumbled in the wake of bank losses. repayments for the lifetime of the loans. According to the ‘blame the bankers’ isk assessment companies The Irish ISEQ index is a prime example: Since the mortgages are traded in view of the crisis, banks unscrupulously have shouldered their it stood at over 9000 at the beginning of and orthodox way along with his fellows, bulk, if a few customers end up defaulting signed up clients to loans they couldn’t share of the blame for the 2007, and by October 17 had plunged to so that no one can really blame him,” he on their payments the effect is less afford and then casually sold these toxic crisis. They are accused of wrote. In other words, bankers go with crippling to investors. Essentially such loans in bulk to investment companies, making overly-optimistic “We’re still the fl ow and stand or fall together. So packaging allowed banks to diversify hedge funds and other banks. By the time predictions,R founded on enthusiasm for dancing” - Citigroup what kept them on their feet until now, all non-systematic risk, which is the the customer found himself deep in debt the ability of mortgage-backed securities CEO Charles Prince and how did they lose their balance? risk associated with the possibility of a and unable to keep up with his mortgage to diversify risk. In an atmosphere of four months before In the beginning of 2007 the odd particular individual defaulting on their repayments, it was already another bank’s unbridled confi dence, some companies his resignation expression ‘subprime’ began to feature repayments. Mortgage-backed securities with increasing regularity in business effectively allowed banks to sell off their an 11-year low of 2643. When banks go headlines, before newspapers turned risk, and dicey subprime loans were Global trading of mortgages on a massive scale down, they tend to bring much of the inside out and began to put their business traded with increasing frequency. A country’s stock exchange with them. section on the front. The Oxford English mortgage taken out on a home in Wicklow muddied the waters of responsibility. It became less The free market economy recoils at Dictionary rushed to include it in its June through an Irish bank could be sold to a and less clear where the buck stopped. uncertainty. Mortgage backed securities 2008 update and found it has only existed Belgian bank, which in turn sold it in to a are still threaded through the complex in its current usage for fi fteen years. A U.S. hedge fund, which passed it on to a distribution chains of the global fi nancial subprime loan is one offered to a customer Japanese consortium. network and nestled at the core of vast investment packages. It is near impossible paid scant heed to the apparently unlikely to tell exactly which assets are sound and IRISH STOCK MARKET SHAKEN BY U.S. TURBULENCE risk of a general economic slump. which are toxic. Who knows which fi rm Certain agencies were more at fault in will announce the next series of write- this respect than others. So called cycle- downs, who will be nationalised, or who neutral rating, practised in particular by will fi le for bankruptcy? In the atmosphere Moody’s, meant giving little emphasis to of doubt and insecurity that currently the cyclic ups and downs of the business pervades the market it is no wonder cycle. Unfortunately, the housing market that banks are uneasy about lending ISEQ INDEX Oct 07-08 is particularly vulnerable to this type of to one another. This has led to what is 8000 risk. called the credit crunch. Unfortunately When the American housing bubble inter-bank lending is the industry’s main 17 September 2008 – US fi nally burst, property values dropped, source of liquidity. The knock-on effect is Federal reserve loans interest rates rose, and suddenly the that banks are reluctant to lend to lend $85 billion to AIG to NINAS couldn’t meet their mortgage to customers, stifl ing access to credit in avoid bankruptcy. repayments. A wave of foreclosures swept the wider economy and turning what 6000 the States, and within a matter of months began as a fi nancial crisis into a full-on Oct. 24: Merrill Jan. 15: Citi- May 12: HSBC writes ‘For Sale’ signs became as ubiquitous on economic downturn. Lynch announc- group reports off $3.2 billion linked American front porches as Obama and Keynes’ view was that either a es losses to be $18.1 billion loss to the U.S. subprime McCain lawn signs. The downturn in the weakening of the state of credit or a over $8 billion. in fourth quarter. market. housing market triggered a precipitous general lack of confi dence can upset an fall in the value of these securitised economy. And investor confi dence these 4000 assets held by various banks and fi nancial days is thin on the ground while the credit institutions, and as such these losses soon situation is bleak. LIBOR rates (the rate made their way on to banks’ balance at which banks lend to each other) have sheets. Those engaging in a high-class dropped in the past week following huge game of pass the parcel began to be found government liquidity injections, but they 2000 out. remain excessively high, refl ecting an The crisis gained momentum at the unwillingness on the part of banks to lend beginning of this year as the major global to one another. Retailers, too, are feeling fi nancial groups grimly informed their the squeeze: October saw the biggest shareholders of the massive losses they drop in US consumer confi dence since had sustained. The collapse of investment records began in 1978. We will need to see 0 Oct 07 Oct 08 bank Lehmann Brothers marked the a recovery in both of these indices before Oct 07 Date Oct 08 biggest bankruptcy in US history, while the good times return. Unfortunately a wave of forced mergers saw Merrill at present judging when that might be Lynch acquired by Bank of America and seems no more than speculation. TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS Tuesday, October 14, 2008 October 28, 2008 WORLD REVIEW 13

RACE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE ’08 US elections: hope for Palestine? While Iraq and Afghanistan have dominated discussions on the Middle East during the campaign, Laura Wilkinson looks at what the presidential election means for Palestine.

he past several weeks have Issues such as the status of Palestinian seen several interesting refugees, the future of Jerusalem, the developments in U.S. control of the region’s water supply and foreign policy. George Bush the building of settlements on disputed announced that North Korea territory remain fraught. All the more so Tis to be struck off the list of countries since both presidential candidates have sponsoring terrorism, the notorious “Axis reaffi rmed the unconditional support of of Evil”. The Iraqi government made the U.S. for the Israeli state. the unprecedented gesture of setting its On 23 July this year Palestinians own calendar for the withdrawal of U.S. suffered disappointment following forces. Meanwhile in an increasingly Obama’s 24-hour trip to Israel. He deteriorating Afghanistan, U.S. generals spent only 45 minutes in the Occupied are contemplating negotiations with Palestinian Territories where he visited the Taliban. And presidential hopeful Ramallah. His wearing of a yarmulke Senator Barack Obama has expressed a (Jewish skull cap) during his visit to willingness to hold “high-level” talks with the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial long-standing foe Iran. - somewhat indicative of the Christian- On 17 October, the Mayor of Tehran, Zionist alliance, one might say - incised Palestinians, and the whole itinerary was met by both Arab and Israeli media with Israel enjoys $3 billion scorn. The Israeli daily newspaper Ha’aretz annually in U.S. foreign carried the headline “Obama visiting aid excluding loans Israel to impress Jewish voters, not Israelis” even though Obama declared and various military he would continue to “regard Israel as a valued ally”. Despite claiming that the packages. Some of this U.S. needs to “recognise the legitimate money allegedly goes diffi culties that the Palestinian people are experiencing right now,” the Middle into illegal settlement East Times reported that “his brief stop building in the Occupied [in Ramallah] was privately criticized by Palestinian diplomats as insignificant West Bank. and a mere attempt to show that he could be more impartial in the peace process A Palestininan soldier watches chil- With only days to go before the US an honest broker cannot simultaneously illegal under international law. than his Republican opponent.” The dren playing. Photo: Robert Croma election itself a New York University be the main cheerleader, fi nancier and Unless the incoming U.S. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf welcomed Democratic senator opened a Pandora’s poll has found that American Jews favor arms supplier for one side in a confl ict. administration - Democratic or Obama’s suggestion for dialogue but box this summer when he told the Obama over Republican candidate John He often attended Palestinian-American Republican - decides to take Israel to also spoke of a country encompassing powerful pro-Israel lobby, the American McCain 67-33 percent. Yet only 42% of community events and heard about the task on these issues, from a Palestinian both Israel and the Palestinian territories Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), Jews surveyed who believed Israel held a Palestinian experience from perspectives perspective it will be a far cry from to replace the Jewish state. “Muslims, that Jerusalem should remain the “very high” importance said they would stifl ed in mainstream discussion,” wrote “change we can believe in”. Christians, and Jews,” Qalibaf said, undivided capital of Israel. The remarks vote for Obama. In another survey of Abunimah. “must be allowed to return to their own drew fire from Palestinian, Arab and American Jewish voters, carried out in Humanist sympathies aside, the land and, through a democratic and free Muslim leaders. July by the American Jewish Committee, structures of political and economic COURTING THE JEWISH VOTE election, choose the type of government Reiterating his wish to play an active only three percent said Israel was their infl uence within the US Senate remain A survey commissioned by a Jew- they would like to have.” If a change in role in the Middle East peace-process, main priority. the underlying factors of America’s ish lobby group found that only U.S. policy towards Palestine is a going to Obama visited the Israeli town of S’derot Despite such apparent courting of the relationship with Israel. On 18 October, be a prerequisite for diplomatic ties with which is frequently a target of Qassam Jewish vote, the reality on the ground for the news agency Inter Press Service ran an three percent of American Jews Iran, then Obama’s intentions will bear rocket fi re from Gaza. The presidential Palestinians living under occupation is article suggesting that key organisations said Israel was their main prior- little fruit. candidate did not visit the impoverished unlikely to change for the better in any in the Israel lobby, such as AIPAC and the ity when making their choice for For many people worldwide, 2008 Strip, which presently continues to suffer given U.S. administration. In an article Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish president. Both candidates have has been a year of optimism as both as a result of the economic blockade published just after Obama’s Middle Organizations, are “run by hard-liners tended to approach the issue presidential candidates promised a imposed by Israel. Eastern visit, Palestine Think Tank wrote who generally support the expansionist indirectly. The McCain camp has sea-change in U.S. foreign policy. This In an article published by Ha’aretz The Democratic “There is no reason for optimism. Obama policies of Israel’s right-wing Likud Party, accused Barack Obama of being year also marks the 60th anniversary of during Obama’s whirlwind tour, Aluf is following the well-worn path of 100 per including its hostility to the Oslo peace “soft” on foreign policy issues the Naqba - Arabic for ‘catastrophe’ - a Benn wrote, “Israelis don’t interest senator’s comments at cent, unwavering support for Israel and process”. and say he would embolden Iran reference to what Israelis simultaneously McCain and Obama. Rather, it is their a pro-Israel lobby that the Zionist project.” Israel enjoys $3 billion annually in U.S. by negotiating with President celebrate as independence. If 60 years Jewish voters and contributors at home. The article documents the experience foreign aid excluding loan agreements Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on his have so far seen Israel ignore numerous Barack Hussein Obama - with his Muslim Jerusalem should remain of Palestinian activist and author Ali and various military packages. The own terms. The Democratic can- U.N. resolutions, whether in relation stepfather and his childhood in Indonesia, the undivided capital Abunimah who met Obama in Chicago in Jewish state is an exception among U.S. date shot back that McCain’s ag- to illegal settlement expansion or the his suggestion to meet with Iranian the 1990s. The Princeton graduate who aid recipients in that it is not required gressive stance towards Iran and building of the infamous “security fence”, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Israel drew fi re from occasionally contributes to the Guardian to account for how the money is spent. his continuation of George Bush’s then it is fair to assume that the next four and the leftist image that adheres to newspaper felt that Obama grasped the According to IPS, some of the money goes Middle Eastern policy would en- years are unlikely to reconcile any “fi nal- his advisors - has raised deep anxieties Palsetinian, Arab and oppression faced by Palestinians under into settlement building in the Occupied danger Israel. status” issues of the Arab-Israeli confl ict. among the Jewish establishment.” Muslim leaders Israeli occupation. “He understood that West Bank, construction of which is The curtains close on a classic American comedy

Andrew McKenzie “Who is Barack Obama?” asked the “But I have to say tonight’s venue isn’t McCain, meanwhile, brought it down to McCain’s talk of Joe the Plumber by hard-working, very patriotic, very pro- Deputy World Review Editor Democratic nominee, who has been really what I’m used to. I was originally the lowest common denominator and bringing up Boris the Spider or Dennis America areas of this great nation,” she plagued by smears about his roots during told we’d be able to move this outdoors to swung topic after topic back to his friend the Menace or something, but no. He enthused. Democrats pounced on the IN THIS year’s U.S presidential election, the campaign. “Contrary to the rumours the Yankee Stadium, and can somebody Joe the Plumber. started addressing Joe too. Before long remarks. Jon Stewart, host of the Daily the line between reality, parody and satire you have heard, I was not born in a tell me what happened to the Greek Joe instantly became a national they were both at it, appealing to Joe Show, pointed out that that would mean seemed to zigzag more often than a used- manger. I was actually born on Krypton columns that I requested?” celebrity, and the inevitable target of the straight down the lens, which meant I had the rest of America was a fake America, car salesman turned politician’s promises. and sent here by my father Jor-El to save McCain informed the audience that he blogovultures. A day after the speech, it to keep looking behind me in case he was and since this fake America included New Take for example Alaskan Governor the Planet Earth. Many of you know that had dismissed his entire team of senior seemed, his name wasn’t Joe, he didn’t standing there, fi xing a pipe. York City, Bin Laden must be hiding in Sarah Palin. She went from Republican I got my name, Barack, from my father. advisers. “All their positions will now be have a plumbing licence, and he owed Also revealed was the fact that Palin shame at attacking the wrong country. president ticket saviour to national joke What you may not know is Barack is held by a man named Joe the Plumber.” over a thousand dollars in back taxes. has spent a staggering $150,000 dollars If it the media seemed a little one- as fast as you can say Tina Fey. actually Swahili for ‘That One’. And I got “Even in this room full of proud Apparently McCain had put as much since her VP nomination. I’m not sure sided, keep in mind that Obama actually Fey’s devastatingly funny portrayal my middle name from somebody who Manhattan Democrats. I can’t shake that effort into researching his everyman as Joe six-pack and the boys from Wasilla didn’t make very many gaffes. His most of Palin on “Saturday Night Live” this obviously didn’t think I’d ever run for feeling that some people here are pulling he did vetting his running mate. Maybe are spending that kind of money at Saks memorable came when he welcomed his season broke from traditional caricature. president. If I had to name my greatest for me ... I’m delighted to see you here it’s a back-up plan: if he doesn’t win the Fifth Avenue. surprise running mate on stage for the The mastery of Fey as Palin on SNL lay in strength, I guess it would be my humility. tonight, Hillary!” presidency, he’s going to launch a stop- The self-styled hockey mom got herself fi rst time, “Let me introduce to you the her nonsense answers to mock-interview Greatest weakness, it’s possible that I’m a Then there were the debates. Obama’s motion animation series on Nickelodeon. into more hot water with her comments next President - the next Vice President! questions which were actually taken line- little too awesome. voice made you think he was about to There’s probably a warehouse full of Joe about “real America”. “We believe that - of the United States of America, Joe for-line from actual interviews. “I do love the Waldorf-Astoria, though. start advertising coffee, or something the Plumber action figures out there the best of America is in these small Biden.” Not exactly up there with Palin’s “As Putin rears his head and comes You know, I hear that from the doorstep altogether stronger: “I want to say to somewhere in the Arizona desert just towns that we get to visit, and in these antics. into the airspace of the United States of you can see all the way to the Russian tea the American people: this is the fi nest, waiting for the say-so. wonderful little pockets of what I call the He also had a slightly odd moment America, where – where do they go? It’s room. mellowest blend your money can buy.” You’d expect Obama to counter real America, being here with all of you when referring to “the lipstick on a pig”. Alaska. It’s just right over the border,” Republicans immediately announced that said Palin/Fay when quizzed on her Obama was referring to Palin, although extensive foreign policy experience. he denied this entirely. Describing her impression to David McCain’s had a few odd moments Letterman, Fey said, “She has a really himself. During the second town hall crazy voice. It’s a little bit Fargo, a little debate, rather than just stand still bit Reese Witherspoon in Election. I listening to Obama speak he wandered also try and base it on my friend Paula’s aimlessly around the stage and pulling grandma.” faces post-debate pundits described as Palin’s Democratic counterpart Joe “angry and troll-like”. Biden, when discussing the stock market One of McCain’s biggest gaffes has crash of 1929 said that Roosevelt had gone to have been when he stressed that “the on TV and reassured the nation, which fundamentals of our economy are strong” sounds fair enough, except Roosevelt only days before the fi nancial crisis really wasn’t president at the time. And there came to the fore. Earlier he was stumped was no TV. when asked how many houses he owns, Then there was the Alfred E. Smith very encouraging for a candidate reaching Memorial Foundation Dinner, a New out to the working class. York charity event where McCain and All in all, an entertaining campaign. Barack Obama roasted each other and With Obama seemingly set, it’s back to treated the audience to some rare self- plain old scripted comedy until 2012. depreciating gags. Above: Tina Fey’s portrayal of Sarah Palin. Her most devasting impression featured Palin’s real answers to interview questions. TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS Tuesday, October 14, 2008 14 OPINION October 28, 2008 Giving money to charity is good, but giving time is better

By Aoife Crowley agency and are paid on a commission Charity fundraisers also put people banks are protected up to €100,000, was huge scandal over leafl ets posted is fraught with problems. For us poor Opinion Editor basis. The charity pays this agency for its off donating to the traditional tin-rattling the government offers no such cover through letterboxes last year, purporting college students, I think the best thing to services and the agency fee. These plus volunteers we see shivering on our for investments held in Icelandic banks. to be from charitable companies looking give is your time and energy. Donations of THE SHAKE of the collection box has the fundraiser’s commission will eat up streets. These volunteers often represent In the UK, many charities had invested for clothes donations. They were bogus. money are wonderful, and it is true that long been a familiar sound to Irish ears. most of your monthly donation for the smaller local charities who cannot afford their money in Icelandic banks who The clothes they gathered were actually they do a lot of good, but by volunteering From the poor black babies’ collections fi rst year. Unless you plan on keeping a to hire agencies to compete with the offered seemingly wonderful interest sold on to East Europe and Africa with you can see fi rst hand the difference you of the sixties, through the Hurricane standing order going for longer than that, larger national charities. People who rates for savings and investments. These none of the proceeds going to charity. are making. It isn’t hard to give up an Katrina appeal, right up to today’s charity or are willing to donate more than the already have a direct debit each month banks have now collapsed. The National This sort of fraud deeply impacts both hour or two of your time, you can see the street fundraisers, it seems the appeal for €15 a month usually asked for, charities feel that they’ve done their bit, and are Council for Voluntary Organisations has the legitimate charities and potential good you’re doing and you will probably money is incessant. But where does all can actually stand to lose money. less inclined to reach into their pockets estimated that these charities may stand donators. The director of the Association enjoying doing it. There are plenty of this money go? Is it worth giving at all? Generally, those who sign up do give for the smaller charities. to lose £120 million between them. The of Charity Shops estimated that their worthy causes in college all begging for I think that it is, but choose carefully a return higher than the agency’s fees, or Once the charities have collected your Cats Protection League alone could lose members were losing between €2.5m to your time, including St. Vincent de Paul, what you give and whom you give to. charities would not hire them. But would money, do you ever wonder where they £11.2 million. That’s an awful lot of cat- €4m a year through scams such as this the Voluntary Tuition Programme and Non-voluntary charity workers can be it not be better to cut out the middle- keep it? Unfortunately, being a charity is nip. which makes people wary of giving to SUAS. Volunteers are the backbone of quite misleading. For the most part, man, and give directly to the charity, thus no protection from the economic doom. How do you know that the charity legitimate charities. any charitable organisation, and they are these fundraisers are working for an saving them the commission? Although Irish investments in Irish you’ve donated to is legitimate? There It seems that the world of benevolence the one thing that money can’t buy.

IN PROFILE The economy: safe as houses?

With stormy economic waters ahead, Ireland’s economy is being overseen by an intelligent man with a fi erce political mind, combined with a very bad sense of timing, says Aoife Crowley of Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan

BRIAN LENIHAN must have pure of builders that he had the misfortune politics pumping in his veins. A member of becoming Minister for Finance just of one of the most powerful political as the building boom was coming to an dynasties in Ireland, he seemed destined end. He meant it to be a joke, but the to become a key player in the political builders weren’t laughing. It was seen scene. His namesake, Brian Lenihan Sr, as a major gaffe. Ireland faced its fi rst was a mighty fi gure in Fianna Fáil, serving major downturn in over a decade. As as Táiniste in the 1980s. He remembers Finance Minister, he faced the diffi cult the political clinics his father held during task of steadying the ship. As the public his childhood: “It wasn’t even called a lost faith in the major banks, it was clear clinic. You just visited Mr Lenihan at that something needed to be done. his house. There’d be traffi c jams at our Lenihan’s first crisis had begun. house on a Saturday morning as people Lenihan signed the ministerial order thronged in from Roscommon where my offering a government guarantee to the father was a TD. A lot of them would sit major Irish banks. The Minister was around the house, so the whole house pleased with his decision, insisting that would fi ll up with people. They would it was “the cheapest bailout” possible wait in the bedrooms, on the landing, compared with bank rescues in other in the sitting room. There’d be lines of countries such as the US and UK, where cars outside the house.” His grandfather “billions of taxpayers’ money are being also was a TD, and both his aunt, Mary poured into financial institutions”, O’Rourke, and his brother, Conor, hold although he did admit that it had attracted cabinet positions. criticism from Europe. Lenihan first entered the political This move placated the public, scene in 1996, when he was asked to stand although critics felt that it smacked of in the Dublin West by-election after the desperation and was so lacking in detail death of his father. He was elected on the that it appeared to have been put together eleventh count, and went on to become on the back of an envelope. When asked chairman of the All-Party Oireachtas whether he felt that the Irish economy Committee on the Constitution, and in could come through this crisis unscathed, 2002, was appointed Minister of State. Lenihan was equivocal, saying, “we’re in There is little doubt that Brian Lenihan the eye of the storm, and who can predict is an intelligent man. A Foundation the destination of the ship in the eye of medical cards, was not seen to meet his of people believe that this budget will BIOGRAPHY Scholar of Trinity, who achieved a fi rst the storm?” brief. Rather than helping to alleviate the worsen the economic crisis, Lenihan class honours BA and subsequently a He had barely time to catch his breath economic downturn, it was seen to rub is being forced to backtrack on some fi rst class Bachelor of Law degree from before his next big challenge the budget. salt into the wounds. of the more unpopular aspects. The » Lenihan is married to Patricia Ryan and they have two Cambridge, he boasts an exceptional His responsibility was to draw up a In the now infamous budget which he medical cards were always going to be a children, one girl and one boy. academic career. budget that would stabilise the economy presented last fortnight, Brian Lenihan contentious issue, but the government’s But all those brains couldn’t save him and promote future growth, while at the underlined his belief that these dark days handling of the backlash turned it into a » He was educated at Belvedere College Dublin, Trin- from unfortunate timing. Almost as soon same time looking out for those most called for collective action, and that his fi asco. Lenihan has received criticism for ity College Dublin, where he was a scholar in Legal as he took his place in the new cabinet as vulnerable in the society. His budget, budget provided an opportunity for us all the government’s furious back-peddling Science, Cambridge University, and Kings Inns. Minister of Finance, the world markets which included increases in excise duties, to pull together, calling it “no less than a on this issue. Pensioners feel that he and banks began to freefall. A few days class sizes in schools and VAT, a 1-2% call to patriotic action.” betrayed them in his budget, and even » He lectured in Law at Trinity College from 1984 until into his new job, he told a conference income levy on all and the withdrawal of The public has not responded to though it has now been changed so that 1996, when he began his political career. this call as the Minister might have 95% of people will retain their cards, the liked them to. Last week the Dáil was fact remains that the original budget » He was appointed Minister of State in 2002, and subjected to massive protests by both pushed vulnerable elderly people to one Minister for Children in December 2005. “We’re in the eye of the storm, and who the over-seventies and the students, the side. like of which had not been seen since the Eamon Gilmore has described the » After the 2007 general election, Lenihan was the only can predict the destination of a ship in PAYE demonstrations twenty years ago. Budget as a political humiliation for the Fianna Fáil TD to be promoted to the cabinet, as This was not the pulling together that the Government, but Lenihan insists that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. the eye of the storm?” Minister had in mind. Government has not been damaged by After polls suggested that 60 percent the controversial budget measures. » He was appointed Minister for Finance in May 2008. Cutting education funding could exacerbate recession

More worryingly, this is only the start. Not only that, but you would expect at third level, remained grossly under- In this budget, students are being asked to The Minister for Education has now been that an increase in registration fees funded throughout the boom years of the mandated by the Cabinet to bring forward would lead to an increase in funding Celtic Tiger. It is funny that now as the bear the cost of the reckless policies of the proposals on tuition fees. He also signalled for college services. The reality of the economy faces tough times we are “all in that the hike in registration fees is only situation is that this money is not going this together”, whereas before we had to government, writes Jason Somerville an interim measure, pending the likely toward colleges. Education has only been make do alone. return of some form of college fees. The allocated a 2.7% increase for 2009, which Equality concerns aside, will S THE dust begins to them, students have been sidelined by the bottom line is that if fees are reintroduced will just about account for inflation, cutting back on education services and settle after one of the most public and the minister’s attack has gone as the Minister intends, then some assuming that it falls back considerably reintroducing fees help restore our aggressive cost-cutting unpunished. people will be denied access to third level next year. It is a cost-cutting measure, economy? It’s unlikely. A diverse and budgets since 1987, third Students have been blitzed from all education. Talk of “sliding scale systems” and any extra revenue generated will go highly specialised workforce has driven level students have been left angles. Those working a part time job and the minority of students who go to toward stabilising public fi nances. While the Irish economy during past decade. Awith some tough realities. Perhaps most will be slapped with a 1% income levy, college to party and drink won’t change public finances certainly need to be By reducing funding the government is disheartening is that, despite a wave of those in receipt of a grant will fi nd that this reality. While there is certainly a reined in, the question remains as to why now threatening the foundation of our public anger regarding the new income any increases have been frozen and select minority who could comfortably education, so vital to the future success of knowledge-based economy. What the levy, the withdrawal of the automatic for anyone not in receipt of a grant, afford to pay fees, the Minister’s target this country, is facing cutbacks while the economy needed from this budget was right to a medical card and the cut backs regardless of what you or parents earn, seems to be more focused on those in the public sector, riddled with ineffi ciencies for the government to lay out a pathway in primary education, the general public you will have to come up with an extra middle-income bracket, many of whom and overpaid bureaucrats, has escaped for recovery. That path needed to focus have remained silent over the unexpected €600. If that’s not enough, the cutting struggle to support their children through from this budget unscathed. on developing Ireland as a knowledge hike in student registration fees by almost of child benefi t payments to those over college as it stands. Considering the cost The Minister for Finance continues to economy by putting resources into 67%. How has a measure that threatens the age of 18 could exclude children from of living and accommodation alone, it can echo the words “we’re in this together”, education. Instead, they did the opposite to exclude so many from third level lower-income families from third level. cost up to €10,000 a year for parents to but when the economy was booming and have shown a lack of understanding education not caused outrage? The truth In short, this budget threatens the weak support their child through college. The and so many were making millions, of the fundamentals of the Irish economy. of the matter is people just don’t care. and vulnerable in our society, despite reintroduction of college fees would tip where were the necessary investments in This may plunge us deeper into recession Too engulfed in how the budget will affect Government’s claim of equitability. many of those at the margin over the edge. college services? Education, particularly and exacerbate falling growth. TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS Tuesday, October 14, 2008 October 28, 2008 OPINION 15 Got the itch to hitch? “America must change, and

Hitch-hiking should be revived before it becomes a lost art, writes this is the fi rst measure” Iain Mac Eochagáin maintaining a secure and balanced economy, in integrated society. If we once again fall short favour of an idealistic notion of identity. of demonstrating that our country is not run by Aside from the urgent and concrete issue white, upper-middle class men, this statement of fi scal stability, there are more ideological will be exposed as the ludicrous exaggeration CAITLIN subjects at risk in this election. One subject which it is. We have not achieved equality – racism is was addressed at the end of the fi nal Presidential alive and well in the USA – but we can change DOLAN-LEACH debate was that the next President will almost that by continuing to work for a truly colour- defi nitely appoint at least one new member to blind nation. the Supreme Court. Currently, the court operates This is America’s opportunity to express to IN A little more than two weeks, the world through a tenuous and delicate balance; though the world its contrition for the events of the past will be a different place. After eight years of it is technically considered apolitical, there are eight years, and the repeated, unmitigated error misguided Republican rulership, the United four “conservative” judges, four “liberal” and one of electing George W. Bush as our Commander- States of America will have the opportunity swing voter. John Paul Stevens, a “liberal” judge, in-Chief. To elect McCain would be to accept to begin rectifying the serious mistakes of the is eighty-eight years old. the reigning paradigm, to once more align past. Whichever candidate is chosen by the Of course, with the balance of the judges at ourselves with evangelical values and combative American public this November, the elections stake, the historic decision of Roe v.Wade in foreign policies. In electing Obama, we would will mark a turning point in how America is seen 1973 stands to be revoked. In this historic case, acknowledge our double blunder, reject war by the world. America will either embrace its the Supreme Court overturned all state and as an acceptable means of diplomacy and give gradual metamorphosis into a fundamentalist, federal laws outlawing or restricting abortion, legitimacy to a new voice in the international conservative, war-mongering state or it will as it ruled that most laws against abortion in arena, a voice which doesn’t deny the need reject these principles and begin to rehabilitate the United States violated a constitutional right for communication and multi-lateral decision its damaged image and crippled identity under to privacy under the Due Process Clause of the making and doesn’t embrace violence as the the leadership of Barack Obama. Fourteenth Amendment. During the debate, best solution to effect regime change. This Recent weeks have witnessed a panic raised by both candidates claimed that no litmus test opportunity is as inspiring as it is terrifying; both American and international news sources should ever be imposed on potential judicial could it be possible to once more admit to my claiming that the next Great Depression is nigh. appointees. However, McCain rather cryptically nationality with something other than reluctance While this may be alarmist and possibly a ploy for concluded that no justice capable of voting to and chagrin? Will I someday stop feeling tempted selling more papers, it is clear that economically preserve the controversial 1973 case could ever to respond “I’m from Toronto” when asked about all is not well. President Bush’s enthusiastic be deemed competent to rule on the Supreme my citizenship? plans to stimulate the economy using famed Court. Obama, on the other hand, tended to view Perhaps that sounds fl ippant; the reality is Republican trickle-down logic have not met with the decision as the exertion of individual rights that I am anything other than dismissive at the overwhelming success. A Republican presided and clearly stated that while he supported the thought of reclaiming a sense of self-respect for over the start of the Depression of the Thirties decision, there were other qualifi cations for an my nation. It is a tragedy that there has been such with similar reasoning, and it didn’t work then acceptable Supreme Court Justice. a departure from the basic tenets of American either. It was a Democrat who lifted it, and To ignore the ruling that was made would democracy. We have a chance to repossess this Roosevelt’s primary concerns were not tax cuts alter a principle of American society. It would project, and salvage it from a deplorable misuse and moralising. Without informed and intelligent be a symbol of conservative regeneration, an of its principles. We have a responsibility, to our ‘SO WHY do you do it?’ It is partly to answer this question that government intervention, the United States (and acceptance of the moral value judgements of fellow citizens and the international community, I am writing. But rarely does my admission to hitch-hiking with it, the rest of the world) faces the rather the Christian right, and a clear indication that to do our best to repair the wrongdoings of the get such a calm reaction. The usual responses are, in order of alarming prospect of a global recession. judicial restraint is defunct, to be replaced by past. We can’t retract our involvement in Iraq frequency, incredulity, shock, and fear. To members of my own The actions of the next executive branch judicial activism where judges rule according to and Afghanistan, we can’t brush over the myriad generation, I am “not serious,” “crazy,” and taking stupid risks. will change the economic situation. Federal their moral beliefs and not their interpretation muddles, misunderestimations, oversights and The concept of willingly getting into strangers’ cars to get to government exists for this reason, and America of the law. With this precedent established, the lapses in judgement of the past two terms, but the next village, or across the country, in exchange for nothing can’t afford to elect someone who places the ideal Supreme Court could become what its founders we are obligated to make the initial, symbolic apart from your company, is apparently too much for a lot of of self-reliance and rugged individualism over the feared most, an instrument of legislation, rather and incredibly basic gesture of electing new people. Especially given “today’s climate” or “the amount of basic fact that executive action and legislation, than judicial review. leadership. We have to change. Obama is the only weirdos on the road today.” not cowboys on the ranch, keep the global In the civil rights arena, it would be a glaring candidate to have the courage to say that our way Hitch-hiking, hitching, thumbing, or autostop means standing economy stable. We can’t confuse questions of indication of the prejudices which still exist in of life is untenable, that every American will need on the side of the road, sticking out your thumb, and waiting for identity with government policy. McCain seems our society if were we to fail in electing Obama. to make a change. This is a daring thing to say to a car to stop. When a car/van/lorry/off-duty private bus stops, to think that being a “maverick” is a political McCain declared during the debates that the race a culture saturated with its attachment to excess you establish the destination with the driver. If they’re going your qualifi cation, and not simply a descriptive term issue had been resolved, and that we’d achieved and self-indulgence. The fact that he recognises way, and you like the look of them, you get in. Sometimes you’ll for an American archetype. Obama doesn’t try racial equality, but will that statement hold up the fundamental importance of adjusting our be lucky and get a lift all the way to your destination, though this to adhere to a personality model. He recognises on November 4? We’ve relegated “race issues” lifestyles and ideas about consumption to rarely happens in Ireland, as people drive short distances. You the need for policy that addresses a crisis. to secondary status since accomplishing this creating a sustainable future reveals his essential arrive at your destination in exchange for nothing more than What America doesn’t need is a president who putative complete equality, but this election is responsibility and clear-sightedness. America the company you’ve given. Sometimes, the fi rst car you see will will shy away from the federal responsibility of necessary proof that we do live in a multi-ethnic, must change, and this is the fi rst measure. stop. Other times, you could wait two hours for a lift to the next village. Once I got from Galway to Dingle in two lifts. On the way back, it took seven. The only rule is to allow for anything. So if it’s always so unpredictable, sometimes slow and even frustrating when things don’t work out – why bother? Personally, my motivation has two strands: the adventure and the human contact. I love few things more than setting off on the road and not knowing how long it will take, what sort of vehicle will take me there, or who I’ll meet. This randomness and unpredictability can be surprisingly addictive. This is linked to the second strand: the human contact. I recently wondered whether to give up telling people that I study Russian, to just keep it simple and Smart kids need funding too say I do French. But the reactions are priceless. ‘Who’d want Russian?’ said one woman last weekend. More people than you might think have been to Russia, or have an insight on its history that they are willing to share. Neglect of education under recent budget goes It’s not just my own speciality that can become a discussion – I’ve learnt more in strangers’ cars about construction, farming farther than registration fee hike, writes Áine Ní and economics than anywhere else. Less abstract topics can also be eye opening. I’ve exchanged views on deeply personal Choisdealbha and family matters with some drivers more frankly than I’d sometimes be prepared to with close friends. Not that all conversations reach such a deep level. Sometimes the mere fact OF ALL of the areas suffering cutbacks in in a society, but also of equality within such overall funding, was used in the past to which even fee-paying schools generally of just chatting with someone outside our own, rather closed, the most recent budget, education seems a system. cover the fees of talented students from do not provide. If their skills are noticed university environment can be a breath of fresh air. How else, if to be taking one of the most signifi cant One of the institutions to lose out on less advantaged backgrounds and to by a teacher, parent or by themselves, not by hitching, would I have been advised to get a job with an batterings. The changes which have drawn funding is the Irish Centre for Talented provide additional support to students the existence of an organisation like Italian warplanes manufacturer? the most ire are the increase in the amount Youth (CTYI). The centre, which provides with disabilities and special needs. CTYI, and the ability of said organisation So those are the basics, the how and the why. In modern of pupils per teacher in primary schools and summer camps and weekend classes for Irish schools do not have a reputation to fund the student’s attendance is key. Ireland, though, the subject has made me think about our the €600 hike in registration fees that we children and teenagers who are classed for providing support to children who It gives a talented and interested pupil generation differences, and how liberal we, born in the late at third level can look forward to paying. as intellectually “gifted,” will no longer learn at a faster rate than their peers or the opportunity to study more advanced eighties and after, really are. For the most part, people my One of the budget outlines which has been receive any of its annual grant of €97,000. who are considered gifted. In a class of material than they would at school and to own age are shocked and frightened by the idea of hitching. overlooked in comparison to the above At a time when 100,000 primary school thirty-plus students, chances are that work with and compete against intellectual Furthermore, many don’t even know how to hitch. They ask, bombshells is that “a number of grants, students are going to end up in classes of at neither an intellectually advanced nor an peers, opportunities which would otherwise wide-eyed, ‘Can you hitch in pairs? Do the drivers expect any mainly school related” are being abolished least 30 pupils and hence lose out on the intellectually challenged pupil will receive be presented only to those better off. money?’ This, from the generation that considers itself freer than or scaled back.” The funding of smaller individual attention considered essential enough attention for their skills and At CTYI, the opportunity is given its parents, unshackled from old social and cultural restraints. projects may seem less important than for early learning, a summer camp may competencies to be attended to. to intelligent children and teenagers to My parents’ generation, in contrast, generally doesn’t raise an upholding the ideal of equal opportunity, not seem like such a high priority. Most If the former goes to a school with a less experience classes in similar subjects to eyebrow, except when long distances are involved (‘you’re tough regardless of fi nancial status, in entering of CTYI’s clientèle have a reputation for fi nancially advantaged background, they university courses, such as engineering, to be thumbing that far’). Is our generation over-obsessed with third level education. However, on an being middle class and well able to afford will probably not have stimulating and international relations and computer private property and space, brainwashed by horror fi lms that ideological level, these cutbacks serve to any rise in fees that may occur as a result challenging activities like debating clubs applications.For students from poorer exaggerate the dangers of everyday life, or just more cautious? highlight the same neglect not only of a of the cutback. However, that €97,000, available to them, let alone additional backgrounds, for whom college would Of course, there are different strains of ‘liberalism’. There high quality, well-funded education system coming to about one-tenth of the centre’s learning supports geared to their abilities become a formidable expense, this can are radical liberals who make conscious decisions to fl out assure the student of the enjoyment they convention. There are old liberals who have learnt from life’s Participants such could gain from higher education as well experiences. Being liberal or conservative about giving lifts to, as these in CTYI’s as its eventual benefi ts. In other words, or taking lifts from, strangers doesn’t decide the cast of your programme will it would be a kind of tangible proof that whole generation. And of course, there are people of my parents’ be hit by the college is worth substantial loans and age who don’t give lifts on principle. withdrawal of a few years’ deferral of a full-time job. Still, the point remains that a generation has, on one topic, CTYI’s €97,000 However, without State funding, fewer become more conservative than its predecessors. This is not grant. socio-economically disadvantaged pupils because there are ‘more weirdoes on the road’, or because the would get this hands-on opportunity. world has become more dangerous – it is as dangerous now as it CTYI and other organisations’ loss ever has been. It is because that is the way it seems, and this is of funding may not seem particularly what we need to start discussing – to what extent outside factors critical to those of us worried about the infl uence the way we perceive other members of society and how potential re-introduction of university we interact with them. Not only that, but we need to talk about fees, or children’s overcrowded classes. fear, and how and why we allow our collective imagination to Some of us may even be glad that our taxes be dominated by it. are no longer going to a summer camp Far away from such heavy musings, however, I will, in the famed for churning out groups of sixteen- meantime, continue to hitch, and not just for the reasons I’ve year-olds with a communal delusion of already mentioned. I will continue to thumb to prove that it can misunderstood genius. Nonetheless, still be done, that people are still kind to strangers, and that not we should be outraged at yet another all transactions involve money. I wouldn’t, given the necessary indication that equal opportunities in time, travel any other way. With an average speed of 50 kph, education are being neglected by the and at no cost, I see no reason not to, provided one uses some government of a nation often praised common sense. As one driver from Belmullet said: ‘It’s probably for its highly educated workforce and its just as effi cient as Irish public transport.’ past refusal to reserve debt-free higher education for a wealthy élite. TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS Tuesday, October 14, 2008 16 OPINION October 28, 2008 It is time to become passionate about learning again

He tirelessly sought out talent even freedom within the educational process To create something new you need an My college is one full of fi ery, scarf- on behalf of the so-called ‘average’ boys. causes people to treat education as more F. W. SANDERSON Emersonian-like faith in yourself. You toting, moleskin-carrying undergraduates If someone showed obvious talent in a of a chore than an opportunity. need to be challenging and creative. In who are able to connect all of their certain area, Sanderson made sure to Courses of this structure deal in » Fredrick William Sanderson, creating something new or to truly learn passion, potential, sense of well being and give that boy abundant time and material homogeneity. They tell you what you what has been described by turns you must be willing to risk failure or talents into some sort of wild synergy. It is to revel in his special subject. you are capable of based on your past. as jolly, plump, energetic and embarrassment in support of your ideas. a college full of the leaders of tomorrow, DAN COSTIGAN Sanderson had the right idea. Many They are not interested in the individual roguish. He was said to pos- You must be willing to diverge from the a college full of confi dent arbiters of their of the Arts courses in Trinity also have but rather the trends and the statistically sess a "mind like at octopus", well-trodden track to go your own route. own destiny. It is a world of drama and of the right idea. His philosophy, however, likely outcome. Their education is blind constantly questioning and College should not be about trying action. A world of courage. SANDERSON OF Oundle is the is not widely practised. This is especially to the person — interested in material, learning. to assimilate other people’s skill sets. True education is when answers lead embodiment of all my romantic notions true of some of the more lecture-heavy mass, continuous assessment and selected » Sanderson was not born into Instead, it should be about tapping into new questions being raised. The more of what education should be. A famous courses. It seems that some courses are mandatory paths. the world of public schools, and fostering the talents already within the island of knowledge expands, the schoolmaster of Oundle school, in not concerned with the individual, but Education is not just about coming in unlike other famous school- your possession. College is about refi ning greater the shores of uncertainty expand Northamptonshire in England, from with the collective, the homogenous for all of your lectures or classes. It is not masters of his time. your own pre-existing skill sets. College alongside. It is not about knowing all, it 1892 until the time of his death in 1922, and unthinking mass. They appear to be just about doing well in tests or essays. » He began working at Oundle involves being all that you can be. To this is about always wanting to know more; he wanted his students to reach their more concerned with the regurgitation of It is about nurturing the person who in 1892, transforming it into end, people should experiment and try piquing the interest. Education is about potential by themselves. To this end, he someone else’s ideas than with original thinks for himself/herself and challenges a prosperous and prestigious different things to get their results. The setting a fi re in someone, awakening a directed that laboratories and workshops thought or creativity. There is far too the conventions. Education belongs to institution with a fi ve-year words of dead men in books are not to be passion and being a catalyst to the talents be left unlocked so that the boys could go much concern with getting students to the John Nash fi gure, skipping lectures waiting list. assimilated but rather to be challenged and the desire to learn lying within the in and work on their own research, even jump through the hoops of continuous and drawing his boundary pushing ideas » Sanderson prepared his stu- and above all engaged with. Richard student. As Dawkins said, “Now let us whip if unsupervised. Sanderson did not obsess assessment and getting them to attend an on the windows of the library, as per dents for adulthood with proj- Dawkins had it right when he said of up a gale of reform through the country, over examination league tables. Rather, unending expanse of tiresome and often the movie A Beautiful Mind. Education ects which would be relevant Sanderson’s philosophy: “What matters blow away the assessment-freaks with he tried to get his students genuinely unhelpful lectures. belongs to the young Swiss patent clerk, in real-life – an experimental is not the facts, but how you discover their never-ending cycle of demoralising, passionate and excited about subjects. He Fortnightly essays and weekly exams Einstein, who created a revolution in farm or actual engineering and think about them: education in the childhood-destroying examinations and did well in the league tables in spite of, or tend to sterilise and extract the colour Physics by daydreaming when he should work in outside businesses. true sense, very different from today’s get to the true education”. The time has more likely, as a result of, this policy. from a course or subject. No allowance for have been doing his job in 1905. assessment-mad exam culture.” come.

HEAD TO HEAD: ABORTION THE EMBRYO IS A A CULTURE OF SILENCE BEING THAT IS HUMAN AND HYPOCRISY

innocent human being, it has also been shown to provide women with information on how to through various studies to impact negatively obtain abortions in Britain. This was not always on the psychological well-being of the woman. so. In 1989, I was President of Trinity’s Students’ Groups like Silent No More are starting to shed Union, which had voted in favour of freedom of “ light on the experiences of the many women information. In carrying out Union policy by who regret their abortions. Dr. Alveda King, the helping women with crisis pregnancies, we were SEAMUS CONNOR niece of Martin Luther King Jr, said of abortion: IVANA BACIK threatened with prison in a marathon court case. “We mothers suffer tremendously, and our We eventually won many years later, after a families suffer”. change was made in the law to allow information ABORTION SHOULD not be made legal in Long-term studies of women who have ABORTION WAS legalised in Britain in 1967. on abortion. Ireland. We need to learn from the mistakes had abortions give a clearer picture of the Every year since then, thousands of Irish women This change resulted from the 1992 X case, made by many other countries across the globe, effects of abortion on women. One such study have travelled to clinics in Liverpool and London when a 14 year-old pregnant rape victim wanted including our closest neighbours, Britain. The was published in 2006 in the Journal of Child to obtain abortions denied to them here. We have to travel to England with her parents to terminate three basic arguments against abortion are Psychology and Psychiatry. This was a twenty- the most restrictive law in Europe. Abortion is a her pregnancy. The State tried to prevent her that it is not good for the child, it is not good for fi ve year longitudinal study. It concluded that criminal offence in Ireland under 1861 legislation, travelling abroad in order to stop her having the women and it is not necessary for women. “young women reporting abortions had elevated carrying a penalty of life imprisonment. In 1983, abortion. People were understandably horrifi ed We can often be told mistruths about the rates of mental health problems when compared the Constitution was amended to make the at this inhumane attitude to the girl’s crisis. In unborn child, such as “the foetus is not a with those becoming pregnant without abortion right to life of “the unborn” equal to that of “the the public outcry that followed, the Supreme human” or “it’s not a person”. It is important and those not becoming pregnant”. mother”. A pregnancy may only be terminated Court ruled that because X was suicidal, the that we stop and think about these statements. The main author of the study, Fergusson, legally in order to save the life of the pregnant pregnancy posed a real and substantial risk The foetus most certainly is human. The stated, “I remain pro-choice... The fi ndings did woman. There is no right to abortion in any to her life, so her pregnancy could lawfully be science of embryology indicates that individual surprise me, but the results appear to be very other circumstance, not even where a woman or terminated. human life begins at the moment of conception. robust because they persist across a series of girl has been raped or abused. Two referendums were passed later in 1992. At conception the embryo has 46 human disorders and a series of ages. . . . Abortion is Despite this extreme law, abortion is a reality The fi rst allowed freedom of information and chromosomes. Nothing new will be added a traumatic life event; that is, it involves loss, it in Ireland. Around 6,000 women make the enabled us, fi nally, to win our case. The second from the time of union of sperm and egg until involves grief, it involves diffi culties. And the journey to Britain for abortion each year. More allowed the right to travel for women seeking the death of the old man or woman except for trauma may, in fact, predispose people to having than 100,000 Irish women have had abortions abortions. A referendum seeking to overturn the the growth and development of what is already mental illness.” over the last thirty years. This number might X case by ruling out suicide risk was defeated. there at the beginning. The embryo is a being This study and more caused the Royal College include you, your sister, or your mother. In 2002, following more pressure from anti- that is human. If someone does not acknowledge of Psychiatrists to state that “women may be at Yet these women’s stories are never told. We abortion groups, yet another referendum was science on this issue it can only be down to his or risk of mental health breakdowns if they have never hear publicly about the trauma of trying to held to try and rule out suicide risk as a ground her privately held beliefs. abortions”. get through a family Christmas without revealing for abortion – but again this was, thankfully, All human beings deserve legal protection. Lastly, it is extremely important to stress a crisis pregnancy, or about the diffi culty in defeated. In the fi rst three months, when most abortions that Ireland ranks among the safest countries in trying to arrange a secret journey to London. Since then, the law has remained stagnant, occur, the baby’s heart is already beating, his or the world in which to be pregnant, and as the In contrast to Britain, where amendments and women have continued to travel to Britain in her unique fi ngerprints have formed, which will latest global Maternal Mortality fi gures show, to the 1967 Act were being debated just this their thousands. To try and bring about change, remain the same throughout life. The unborn Ireland’s maternal mortality rate is number one month in the House of Commons, a culture of we have recently established in Ireland the Safe child is sensitive to touch. in the world. It is true to say that abortion is not silence about abortion prevails here. This is not and Legal Abortion Rights Campaign (SLI), with Those who claim that the foetus is not a person needed to save the life of a woman. surprising, since our rigid brand of indigenous the aim of legalising abortion. As Irish society should be very careful. The US Supreme Court Also concerning abortions needed in the case Catholicism has led to a peculiarly repressive has changed and liberalised, most people have ruled in 1857 that the black population were not of suicidal women, it is important for us to look attitude to women’s sexuality. become more compassionate towards women “persons”. Women were not considered persons at the recently much publicised Gissler study Cultural sex taboos and patriarchal attitudes with crisis pregnancies. The only thing that has under Canadian law until the early 20th century. from Finland, which shows that women are have been strengthened by the intimidatory not changed is the lack of courage and leadership The term “person” is a philosophical one, and the much more likely to commit suicide following tactics of the anti-choice activists. Abortion demonstrated by successive Governments in most widely accepted defi nition of personhood abortion. represents their last line of defence, since failing to deal with abortion in a realistic and is “an individual substance of a rational nature”, The study examined data from 1987-2000 contraception and divorce were legalised in the rational way. It is now time for us to challenge in which case the foetus is a person because his and highlighted the fact that the suicide rate was 1990s. These conservative lobbyists have brought the culture of silence and hypocrisy. We must or her nature is to be rational. If this claim is almost seven times higher in women who had disproportionate infl uence to bear on fearful press legislators to confront the reality of crisis rejected on the grounds that the foetus is not abortions compared to those who gave birth. politicians. We have had five constitutional pregnancy, and to meet the real health needs of actually rational now, it may be pointed out that referendums on the subject of abortion since Irish women by legalising abortion in Ireland. it is in my nature to die, yet as far as I am aware Seamus Connor is the spokesperson for 1983 because TDs are afraid to confront their of I am not actually dead now. the proposed TCD Pro-Life Society responsibility as legislators. Ivana Bacik is a Senator in the Trinity Abortion not only results in the death of an But the tide is turning. At least now it is legal constituency and a pro-choice campaigner ROUND-UP ” “I will use my hulking great backside to shatter glass ceiling...”

Student and Over-Seventies Protest people than bailing out the banks.” As Ms. Sinnott says, with Irish hospitals Krauthammer is deeply disappointed Arab?” asks Mukandi. “Are there no for a TD because “he or she helped to get Last week’s protests have been welcomed According to Quentin Fottrell, in the state they are in, it is not hard to by Obama’s warning at Missouri that Arabs who are decent men with families planning permission for your daughter’s from many quarters as a reawakening “Charlie Haughey must be smiling down predict a mass exodus. In this context the “George Bush and John McCain were they love? Would a “no Ma’am, he is an house or fix a pothole outside your of the people’s spirit. The Irish Times from above that his free travel pass came government may well consider automatic going to try to frighten you by saying that American citizen” not have suffi ced?” door.” reports, “There is a new engagement with back to bite his political successors so medical cards for the over 70s a huge Obama has “a funny name” and “doesn’t the political system, a sense that politics spectacularly. Iarnród Éireann said about liability. look like all those other presidents on “We elected them so it’s our own fault” Body Image and Ritual Humiliation and what happens in Dáil Éireann does 1,000 pensioners travelled to Dublin those dollar bills.”” Jim Mullins of the Irish Examiner Hannah Betts writes in the Belfast matter and have an effect on people’s yesterday on early morning buses and Playing the Race Card This is a pre-emptive charge against reminds us that “every country gets the Telegraph of the phenomenon that is real lives.” In the Examiner, Paul Egan trains to protest.” The Irish Times’ Charles Krauthammer an innocent McCain, who had never said government it deserves”. He bemoans self-help tv shows, and the presenters’ commends the government on its budget, is fuming as “scrupulous McCain is anything like that. “An extraordinary the fact that “the dogs in the street propensity to force their subjects to get for the sole reason that it infuriated Medical cards vilifi ed over racism, while the Democrats rhetorical feat, and a dishonourable knew for years we had an incompetent, naked. people. By doing this, he believes they The government must be ruing the day happily play race card”. Obama’s one.” wasteful Government as well as an inept Rather than being genuinely have given power back to the people. they ever mentioned these contentious supporters have been tireless in their Meanwhile in the same paper, Bryan opposition. Yet we did nothing to change concerned with negative body images, “Even the normally complacent cards. search for racial undertones in McCain’s Mukandi discusses the mistaken belief that.” these shows exploit exhibitionists “to students and party faithful are protesting In the Irish Examiner, Kathy Sinnott campaign, Krauthammer argues. A held in some Republican areas that An apathetic public who cannot stir create some sort of rolling freak show.” and the pensioners are harassing TDs. wonders if it was the progress of the McCain campaign video, which compared Obama is a Muslim. When a woman at a themselves to the ballot boxes, and even Betts believes these shows reinforce, We are back to public meetings, protest patients’ rights/cross-border directive Obama’s celebrity-like status to Paris Republican rally called Obama an “Arab”, if they do, vote according to family’s civil rather than reduce, low self-esteem, marches and unavailable government that terrifi ed the government. Under this Hilton’s, was decried by the New York McCain retorted that he was not, but that war affi liations, do our nation a disservice. especially in women. She urges to fi ght spokespeople. It is marvellous that we directive, Irish citizens will have the right Times as “an appalling attempt to exploit he was a decent family man. He writes, “in a true democracy we would back with feminism, saying “Think not: have our pride back; we can only go to seek treatment in another EU country, white hostility at the idea of black men “Why is it that the description “decent have an obligation … to elect only those ‘Does my bum look big in this?’ but: forward as a nation. Forget the recession at the expense of the Irish government, becoming sexually involved with white family man” can be thrown out as a who are capable of governing our nation ‘Fabulous, I will use my hulking great - they have achieved more in this for the if none was forthcoming here in Ireland. women”. counter to the suggestion that one is an for the common good.” Instead, we vote backside to shatter the glass ceiling.’” TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS Tuesday, October 14, 2008 October 28, 2008 EDITORIAL 17

TRINITY NEWS Issue 3, Volume 55 Tuesday, 28 October 2008 6 Trinity College, Dublin 2 www.trinitynews.ie

THE WORD “FREE” HAS BECOME A JOKE

The means of introduction of the 66% increase in the registration fee from around €900 to €1500 was an abomination. The debate this summer regarding tuition fees has proved to be a smokescreen for this hike. If the Minister had at least been honest enough to provide some advance warning of an increase of this scale then perhaps students would at least have been receptive to arguments in its favour or for its necessity. Instead, he has rightly enraged his charges. In 1995, the then Minister for Education Niamh Breathnach announced that tuition fees would be halved that autumn and abolished the following autumn. She set a provision for a new fee, the registration fee, at £150 (€192). This fee was intended to cover the cost of student services like clubs, societies and Letters to the Editor should be sent to students’ unions, registration and examinations. There was [email protected] or to Trinity News, LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 6 Trinity College, Dublin 2. The Editor justifi ed scepticism from students at the time that this fee reserves the right to edit submissions for would grow. Accordingly, the fee was frozen for two years. [email protected] style and length. Opinions expressed are Predictably, as soon as those two years had elapsed, then not necessarily those of Trinity News, its staff or its Editor. Minister for Education Micheál Martin hiked the fee by the very same percentage as Minister O’Keeffe has now — 66%, from £150 to £250.Government Ministers for Education have operated on a fi ne pedigree of this registration fee sky- Fanning the fl ame of rocketing since its inception. The suddenness of this latest Accommodation Offi ce must be winter romance increase is nothing new either; the 1997 increase was equally unexpected. While I am really delighted to have been given held accountable by students a room on campus for my fi nal year as a Trinity It is clear that our current fee at €1500 has little to do with student, I was really disappointed to learn it is student services: in fact, it is a stealth fee. This is evidenced by forbidden for students to light candles in their I read with great interest, but very little surprise, best-run hospital”, which has attained this rooms. This was brought to my attention at the Fire the fact that students around the country have voted over the the story in the last issue of Trinity News entitled position by the virtue of having no patients. One Safety meeting on Tuesday 7th October. Perhaps years to provide themselves with services like student centres “Accommodation application fee unique to wonders if the Accommodation Offi ce aspires to the scholars, who attended a separate meeting and bars by way of adding an extra levy to the registration fee. Trinity”. this kind of effi ciency — if whether things would (in keeping with Tommy Tiernan’s well- The apparent lack of an explanation for this just work if there were no students getting in the documented “Thickness is Contagious” theory), It was only one year after the introduction of the registration fee is just another example of the continuing way? were told otherwise because they are suffi ciently fee in Trinity that a fi ve-year £50 levy was added to build the failure that is the Accommodation Offi ce. On a Unfortunately for this line of thinking, the smart to be trusted to light candles without Sports Centre on Pearse Street — the very fee that was supposed yearly basis we hear student complaints about the Accommodation Offi ce exists to provide a service burning a whole building down. Perhaps lack of transparency in the application process to the students of this university. If it is not doing not. In any event, and aside from indicating to pay for student services. for College accommodation — yet the situation this adequately then it is failing to justify its the level of esteem to which college holds its The Students’ Union realise that they should not bite the hand seems to be deteriorating rather than improving. existence. “chosen” students, this prohibition does not Now we have a blatant lack of transparency in I would encourage Trinity News to investigate sit well with one’s romantic inclinations. Can that feeds them. By agitating against the fundamental failure how the fees collected from students are being the operations of the Accommodation Offi ce anyone imagine wooing in the absence of at least of the registration fee to do what it was supposed to do, they used. None of this is to the benefi ts of students. fully, in the hopes that an explanation can be one fl ickering candlelight? I certainly can’t. It’s reduce their own ability to convince the student body to tack When thinking about the way in which the found for their apparent continuing failure to going to be a long and lonely winter. Accommodation Offi ce and certain other organs serve the students of this university. “once-off” levies onto the fee. These levies (which are anything of this university operate, I am reminded of an Brendan Guildea but “once-off”) can then partly realise vital but expensive episode of the series Yes Minister. In this episode Gearoid O'Rourke House 34 projects like student centres and sport centres. Indeed, they a visit is arranged for the Minister to “Britain's SS BESS can hardly be blamed for this sort of pragmatism. The blame lies squarely with the Government, which is responsible for ten years of dishonesty regarding the true nature of this fee. We are at a point now where the fee is approaching by degree The night climbers of Trinity College the level of tuition fees. The word “free” in terms of third-level education has become a tragic joke. THIS TIME last year The Night Climbers of It mentions some close calls: the narrator says his Cambridge was reprinted, bringing to a large friend helped him up at one stage by grabbing audience the original guide to scaling the walls of his ears! Cambridge’s colleges, which was fi rst published OLD TRINITY The fi re brigade were called in that year to in 1937. It is a fascinating and entertaining remove the crocodile, says an old Trinity News. description of the many forbidden routes which by PETER HENRY The same issue says that, since then, “there have ONE VOICE WITH courageous nocturnal climbers have tackled in been a few ascents, numerous attempts, and the University of Cambridge. While the hobby several unfortunate misunderstandings with was never so popular in this university, we did porters as to the desirability of working off excess have our own “night climbers” in the past. energy and intoxication in such a fashion.” ONE MESSAGE Here in Dublin, as in Cambridge, the career The lack of photographs and small of the night climber often began with an attempt Campanile, entered through the small arches, contradictions in the accounts make one wonder to scale the walls to gain entry to college after and descended via ladders to the door, where the how much of these stories are fantasy. CCTV, Last Wednesday saw a “return to street politics” as the the curfew. Students living in rooms were once locksmith made a key. lighting and the diligence of the porters may have Irish Times put it. The scene on the streets of Dublin was truly required to be back in college by a certain time, The article seems hardly credible. It does carry made Campanile-climbing extremely diffi cult, and night roll, where the Junior Dean presided, a picture of Parliament Square taken through the but if anyone does take on the challenge again, extraordinary and was probably only the fi rst or second occasion was obligatory for those living in. These days, grille of the Campanile, but I have taken a similar please take a camera with you! that people of our generation had the experience of being part of climbers are likely to be undergraduates picture myself: if the door in one of the pillars is an enormous crowd of people with one single, simple message: intending to get back to a friend’s rooms after a left open then entry is straightforward, and one IT IS WELL-KNOWN that the four fi gures on the night on the tear, or hoping to save on a taxi fare can even engage in some campanology by pulling Campanile represent divinity, science, medicine we are angry. by sleeping in a society room. on the ropes. and law. The heads of Homer, Socrates, Plato and The power of that message’s delivery is absolutely undeniable When I was a student, not very long ago, one The archive of the DU Climbing Club says Demosthenes can also be seen on the structure. spot for late-night entry was opposite the train that the craze of “buildering” – as they called it But what of the four coats of arms? One is that and this sort of engagement with the political process on the part station on Westland Row – there were some – became popular here in 1961, and the club even of the college. Another is the arms of either of not just students but the entire electorate must be commended excellent footholds in the wall. Cameras were kept a guidebook for the college. Routes on the the Archdiocese of Dublin or the Archdiocese from the highest level. It is worth remembering, however, the installed on this area, unfortunately, and I know walls of the Graduates’ Memorial Building, New of Armagh (a count of the number of crosses several graduates who earned their Junior Dean Square and the 1937 Reading Room are given, formée fi tchée on the pallium would distinguish) nature of a protest’s message. It is a strong, effective tool but a colours after being caught hopping over at this along with detailed instructions for climbing to impaled with another’s arms. These are likely the blunt one. It cannot convey much information to stakeholders spot. the top of the Campanile. arms of then Archbishop of Armagh, Lord John other than the anger of the participants. Not as easy, but away from the porters’ According to an older issue of Trinity News, George Beresford, whose gift the Campanile cameras, were the railings across from the Garda the fi rst ascent was in Trinity week of 1962, when was back in 1852. Can anyone confi rm this and Marching is a fundamental right of citizens in a democracy station on Pearse Street. The bus shelter gets a a red top hat was left to decorate the cross. It identify the other two? and students were right to use it. Now that students have used climber half of the way up, and it just requires a remained there until the following week when bit of effort to get over the spikes. steeple jacks were called in and removed the hat I MENTIONED our so-called “sister college” this right to the degree that they did however, the rest of the Only once did I go in over the railings behind at a cost to the college of £12. Offers by several above. People are fond of pointing out our campaign must follow. The impetus on the USI and on ordinary the Luce Hall, with two others. The railings are climbers to remove the hat were rejected. association with St John’s College, Cambridge, students has grown enormously overnight. The signifi cance of precipitously high, and I was lucky not to be A TCD reporter of the time could not fi nd and Oriel College, Oxford, with that fi endishly impaled, but the three of us were determined to any information on the climb. He mused in that unreliable website as their source. It is true the march will be squandered if students do not continue to get into Trinity Ball that night after being caught paper on the possible origin of the red hat. He that an association was made with these engage with the debate on the funding of third-level education. without tickets at a party in Botany Bay. suggested, sarcastically, that it was a publicity colleges and KC Bailey records it in his History This required engagement must be specifi c, targeted, and But these small climbs, undertaken in stunt carried out by the socialist DU Fabian of Trinity College. In 1933, he says, “a ‘friendly a slightly sozzled state, are insignificant Society. Or perhaps, he wrote, the Climbing association’ was established by mutual consent realistic. compared to the ascents of The Night Climbers Club was expressing its exasperation at the with Oriel College, Oxford, and, a few months With the march, every student who participated took on an of Cambridge, which depicts fearless students poor quality of climbing routes in Ireland. Or later, an ‘alliance’ made with St. John’s College, scaling frighteningly high old buildings. The book maybe an American tourist had thrown his hat Cambridge.” TCD: A College Miscellany says at obligation to be informed and to be opinionated. Each student’s cover shows a daredevil climbing the facade of away and it had been blown onto the cross of the the time that our scholars were involved in the time will have been wasted if the one voice that was heard on our sister college, St John’s – and some amazing Campanile? arrangement. Honorary fellowships continue to the day of the march isn’t turned into 10,000 voices, all clearly shots show fi gures perched on the pinnacles of 1965 saw another conquest, when the be exchanged between our provost and the heads King’s College Chapel. Climbing Club members – no other suspects this of Oriel and St John’s, but that seems to be the making their disparate, individual thoughts felt on the matter. Back in Dublin, our own holy grail is the time – left a stuffed crocodile on top of the cross. current extent of the relationship. Campanile. An issue of TCD: A College Miscellany It was “affi xed to the summit with a spike through in 1953 claimed that some students, along its belly” said the Climbing Club’s newsletter, [email protected] with a locksmith, had climbed to the top of the which gave a romantic description of the climb. TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS Tuesday, October 14, 2008 18 BUSINESS & CAREERS October 28, 2008 Was Gordon Gekko right

Future Future Calling all along? WORK EXPERIENCE WORKS EMPLOYERS WISHING to recruit the ideal employee Though stories of fi nancial chaos dominate the look for three things: a good degree, a relevant skills set and an understanding of the business world. media, many people remain clueless. Newspa- Work experience can provide you with the skills, understanding and knowledge that are essential pers may have turned it into an elitist disaster, to any job. Engaging in the workforce as a student allows you to practice the theory you have already but Grace Walsh disagrees. learnt. This is particularly relevant for engineering, business and healthcare students. aves of hysteria have Warren Buffet, was that of derivatives. Although you may think it is too early to forced the global Derivatives are contracts, intended to start thinking about your career, graduates are financial system protect investors from losses. Their name continuously entering a more competitive job into meltdown. “derives” from underlying assets like market. Students keen to reach their full potential Banks and mortgage stocks, bonds and commodities. These should seriously consider work placements as a lendersW have collapsed, governments contracts allowed fi nancial institutions means of distinguishing themselves from others. have pulled bailout bonanzas out of the to take on more risk that otherwise Employers tend to look favorably on students who tax payer’s pocket, share prices have they would have avoided such as issuing have demonstrated commitment and an interest in plummeted, commodity prices are close questionable mortgages or excessive the industry they are entering. to rock bottom, Iceland’s in ruins and the corporate debt. The term ‘work experience’ covers a wide range of mythical bubble of hedge funds is about The fact that the contracts can be opportunities. to burst. traded in one sense limits risk but also It can include open days with organizations, This is a global crisis. Its numerous increases the number of parties exposed work shadowing, insight courses, internships, causes are not country specifi c and are the to loss when problems emerge. sandwich placements, clinical/professional faults of a series of identifi able mistakes. Throughout the 1990s, some argued practice, co-operative education programmes, In order to gain any comprehension that derivatives were a danger to the summer placements, voluntary work, international of the current events we must look at financial system and demanded some programmes and part-time work. a number of countries, at a number form of federal oversight to protect the Here in Trinity there is a specially designed of actions and slowly piece them all markets. But the industry lobbied heavily programme, VACWORK, to organize work together. against such measures, and won backing experience for students during the summer months. Over the past two decades rapid from many important fi gures, such as The Careers Advisory Service identifi es companies economic growth has taken place in Alan Greenspan, former Chairman of the offering summer employment and internship nearly all developed countries. Housing US Federal Reserve. possibilities and lists them on their database bubbles, increased production, increased Greenspan keenly supports the use (www.tcd.ie/careers/vacancies). The CAS website wages and cheap credit all helped to of derivatives as a market institution. is updated weekly and is a good place to start dramatically increase the wealth of “What we have found over the years in The stock mar- banks is also to blame. The activities of changed forever. researching your work experience possibilities. thousands, if not millions of people. This the marketplace is that derivatives have kets are still in Bear Sterns, AIG and Morgan Stanley, Many European banks have also An international experience offers students all was especially the case in Ireland, Spain been an extraordinarily useful vehicle to decline, but are amongst others, were ignored by global suffered. Halifax Bank of Scotland was the advantages of regular work experience and and Iceland, where such rapid growth was transfer risk from those who shouldn’t be showing signs fi nancial authorities. Given free reign close to ruin until it was bought out by also gives you the opportunity to travel the world. unprecedented in recent times. The Asian taking it to those who are willing to and of evening out. they acquired huge amounts of debt with Lloyds TSB, the Swiss government’s plan As well as being a great way of learning another are capable of doing so,” he announced Illustration: Mark ratios as signifi cant as $33 debt to every to invest 6 billion Swiss francs into UBS language, working abroad shows your ability to be at the Senate Banking Committee Stay $1 deposit. The power that debt strapped in return for a 9.3% stake in the bank, independent. These placements are voluntary and This is the type of in 2003. Greenspan’s unshakeable banks potentially have to bring down an Credit Suisse have organized funding ideal for students who wish to make a difference in belief in derivatives leads him perhaps economy was never taken into account. of SF10 billion from three investors, the lives of others. Internships in this sector include wrenching fi nancial crisis unsurprisingly to blame greedy and The worldwide credit crisis has also Iceland’s entire banking system collapsed teaching positions and clerical work for charity that comes along only irresponsible Wall Street traders contributed to recent fi nancial turmoil. and was rapidly nationalised, the EU are agencies. Governments also played a role in Unlike a dramatic crash in the stock now planning a bailout plan of €3 trillion According to many national employer surveys once in a century, says the fi nancial crisis. In America, loose market, a credit crisis happens almost whilst many EU countries including employers seek graduates with the following skills: monetary policy allowed for hubris and invisibly in stalemated transactions Ireland have promised to guarantee bank self-reliance, people, general and specialist. Self- Alan Greenspan proliferated the idea of sustainability in between the banks. It is banks refusing to deposits. reliance skills are determined by how well you work the guise of money being the solution to lend to other banks — even though that is Worryingly the stock markets are still independently, specialist skills are based on the factor also had a signifi cant effect on the all problems. The American government one of the most essential functions of the in decline but are showing signs of evening technical and theoretical aspects of both your course world economy, the industrialisation was heavily involved in the engineering banking system. It’s a loss of confi dence out. The Dow Jones and FTSE 100 have and work experience. General skills are those that of China and the increased levels of of this crisis forcing insurance companies in seemingly healthy institutions like fluctuated wildly, Irish stock markets are applicable in all sectors and in all situations while economic growth throughout the region, such as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs. It is plummeted and even commodity prices, people skills relate to how well you can communicate especially in the fi nancial haven that is take on billions of dollars of sub-prime panicked hedge funds pulling cash out of such as oil and gold, are falling. Now even with others and work in a team. Hong Kong created a “global savings mortgages which were sold onto Wall banks. It is buying credit-default swaps, the seemingly invincible hedge funds are It is essential to extract the maximum learning glut”. This enormous growth in wealth St. If these lenders defaulted Freddie a financial insurance policy against about to collapse. The investment glut is value from whatever placement you are on and had to be moved into investments to and Fannie would have been forced to potential bankruptcy, at prices 30 times over. present your newfound abilities in a relevant fund further developments in commerce guarantee billions to the investors that what they normally would pay. A credit For the investment savvy now is the manner later. A good presentation of your skills and and increase personal wealth. During had bought the loan. Which is exactly crisis fuelled by the collapse of sub-prime ideal time to hunt for bargains through experiences could land you a job offer with the same this period many countries modernised what happened. The US were then forced mortgage lenders can pull down a global the wreckage that is Wall Street. fi rm later on. their fi nancial systems to link savings to part nationalise these insurance giants economy almost immediately. Governments and investors alike It is imperative that you start thinking about work and pensions with investment schemes. that formed the backbone of the fi nancial The credit crisis began some months must pull together and effectively plough experience, especially internships, now. Many of the This initially seemed a profi table and system. ago — remember Northern Rock? enough cash into a flagging global closing dates for internships range from October reasonably safe move given the economic In Europe giddiness from the benefi ts However matters have only deteriorated fi nancial system to rejuvinate it. We have to May. Many fi rms will offer up to 50 placements prosperity of the time. However as profi ts of economic integration prevented since then. Bear Sterns, Freddie Mac already seen a positive reaction in the however as there is a lot of competition for these became larger and as the notion of risk governements and fi nancial regulatory and Fannie Mae were offered fi nancial markets to promises of cash injections positions you must start preparing your CV and became null and void, traders, investors bodies from keeping a watchful eye guarantees by the US government, the and guarantees. application form now. and banks became more daring in their over fi nancial institutions. Ireland and Federal Reserve backed AIG with an $85 It is vital for major economic powers behavior. other European countries became so self billion loan, Lehman Brothers declared stop dithering and reach a viable solution Financial institutions as well as absorbed that they forgot about prudence bankruptcy, whilst Goldman Sachs and sooner rather than later. We are not investors engaged in several risky trends. and risk management. Morgan Stanley are no longer investment immune to bad luck but we can certainly ✃ The most lethal of all, according to Finally the irresponsible behavior of banks. The American fi nancial system has act to deter it. “Education cuts are an abomination”

By Shane Ross government not to make any cuts in on offer here, but a competitive tax leg more than ever. The loss of more emerge from this recession lean and education. alone would not have enticed direct multinationals would mean the return energetic. We should not be afraid They ignored us .So they are about investment from overseas. of emigration, rising unemployment of borrowing to fund education or

Internship Internship Internship Summer 2009 Internship Summer Vacation Scheme Volunteer Internship Summer Placement Internship and placement Summer Internship, Co-op. WHILST IRELAND lurches from one to see the mother of all protests The tax would have been useless and a waste of O’Malley’s legacy. telecommunications. No modern fi nancial disaster to another three of erupt. without the educated young As a result of the cuts in nation can afford to fall behind in our most important politicians are Why spare education? I say that workforce ready to make Ireland a education the pupil-teacher ratio these vital areas. It is madness to nowhere to be found. with deep conviction, not just because showpiece of the modern software will rise. The present government even consider axing their budgets. Brian Cowen has departed for as a TCD senator, I represent an industry, of cutting edge technology. had come to power promising that The dividends of investing in these China taking Batt O’Keeffe with him. educational constituency but rather Ireland’s generous supply of it would fall. But teachers will be crucial sectors will be paid to future Whilst the Taoiseach and Minister for solid, long-term commercial sophisticated young graduates laid off regardless. Estimates of generations. for Education are off gallivanting reasons. perfectly matched the demands of redundancies vary between four It is beyond comprehension that around the Orient, the Tainiste has Education is an investment, not modern global companies. hundred and fourteen hundred. primary schools, secondary pupils Closing Date07.12.2008 Position 07.11.2008 23.03.2009 23.12.2008 01.02.2009 escaped to Donegal. just a fi ctional current spending item The major investment in Fewer teachers means less and universities should be suffocated On balance Batt and Brian can do to be tinkered with. education had paid off. Today the individual attention, less learning and whilst semi-state bodies are allowed less harm in China than Mary can Back in 1968 Minister for multinationals, the second leg of the less competition with rival nations. to sprout up with extravagant ease do by staying at home. Perhaps they Education, Donogh O’Malley, Irish economic boom, are propping If our education fails to match our at the stroke of a political pen. How should have taken her with them as a announced free secondary education up the same economy in freefall. European competitors, not only will can FAS, with its absurd €1 billion damage limitation exercise? for everyone in Ireland. The number Now that the fi rst leg — construction fewer overseas companies locate budget, be left untouched? How can The economy is in a state of crunchers went ape. They insisted — has collapsed we need the second here whilst those already embedded Enterprise Ireland be allowed to emergency. Recession has taken hold. that the nation could not afford it. will ponder a withdrawal. run its own independent show while Location United Kingdom Ireland 04.01.2009 United Kingdom United Kingdom 05.12.2008 Abroad 31.01.2009 Ireland Ireland Summer Ireland n/a The Budget has been a disaster. And Of course the nation could not That is why spending on education the schools of Ireland are forced to two of those responsible have fl ed afford NOT to do it. Certainly, that is NUMBER CRUNCHING should be regarded as capital, not curtail their activities? Don’t even the country, leaving the nation in the true in retrospect. 1968 saw free secondary edu- current spending. Every penny spent mention CIE. hands of a novice. “That’s confi dence No single political initiative cation while third level fees on improving human capital is an We were all happy to play a part for you!” as Frank Cluskey used to provided the foundation for our in salvaging the economy from the were scrapped in 1995. investment in the future prosperity say. faded economic boom more than of Ireland. wreckage, but an attack on education Batt will be roasted alive when O’Malley’s. It is extraordinary to think is going to make the long-term defi cit The 2009 Budget allocated he arrives home. Once the medical Free education offered young that the government has taken a worse. 12,000 euro per student in card crisis is resolved the education people the opportunity to change bookkeeper’s axe to the economy. It The deficit can be reigned in higher education. furnace will take off. their lives forever. O’Malley’s has butchered schools and imperilled through careful management, but Cuts were needed. We know that. revolutionary policy change gave the future of Ireland. Ireland will take years to overcome Yet how in the name of God did the birth to the knowledge economy. Ireland spends the least Simultaneously it has failed to this savagery to its youth. two travelling ministers decide that The result was the arrival in amount of money on Educa- give the impetus necessary to one Company Goldman Sachs InternationalJP Morgan Ireland Procter and Gamble Macquarie Group SJ Berwin LLP UN Watch Atkins Global Ernst and Young Deloitte and Touche tion in Europe: just 4% of

POCKET GUIDE TO INTERNSHIPS CUT OUT and keep this handy guide to the closing dates for applications to some of the biggest internships with rms. graduatte recruitment fi education was a soft target? Ireland — in the eighties and nineties of the great tools of Irish education Shane Ross is a Senator in the Gross National Income. Before the Budget, some of — of multinationals galore. Of course, — broadband. Both are vital Trinity consitituency and Business us specifically pleaded with the they loved the 12.5% corporate tax ingredients of a country that hopes to Editor of the Sunday Independent TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS Tuesday, October 14, 2008 October 28, 2008 SCIENCE 19 Who’s IN BRIEF LUKE MAISHMAN

SCANDAL afraid of WOULD YOU REVEAL ALL IN THE NAME OF SECURITY?

A NEW EU proposal aims to bring ‘x-ray specs’ to airports so that security staff can see fl yers in all their glory! The sci-fi like the LHC? concept is made possible by existing technology: An x-ray scanner creates a picture of the The Large Hadron Collider was the focus naked body, plus any concealed objects such as guns, from three of a media frenzy this summer, but was pictures at different angles. Images would not be of photo the press playing on our fears or does the quality, but airport staff might get to know passengers rather particle accelerator pose a valid threat? better than they’d like!

By Ronan Lyne hypothetical, but it is predicted to exist by Deputy Science editor the Standard Model of particle physics. In RESEARCH theory, every other particle in the universe THE LARGE Hadron Collider (LHC) gets its mass from interacting with an all- NORTH AMERICAN SCIENTISTS began operations on the 10th September pervading fi eld caused by Higgs bosons. amidst media frenzy. It grabbed the Experimental observation of this particle INVESTIGATE GAY BEETLES public imagination, as fears were raised will hopefully explain how massless that the experiments being carried out elementary particles can cause matter to THIS SUMMER scientists in Massachusetts, USA, were so dangerous that they could bring have mass – if it exists, it is an essential published fi ndings after scrutinising homosexual about the end of the world. Obviously, the component of the material world. If the activity in beetles. Sarah Lewis and her team were world has not ended yet, so what was all LHC confi rms the existence of the Higgs trying to fi nd out if the copulations between male the fuss about? boson, the Standard Model theory could beetles served any evolutionary function. Their The LHC is the product of an unify everything in the physical world fi nding – that the recipient may accidentally pass on international project based at the except gravity. some of his partner’s sperm to a female in a later European Organisation for Nuclear However, most of the attention copulation offers a possible cause for this trait. Research (CERN), in which 111 countries surrounding the LHC has focused on the (excluding Ireland) are participating. safety concerns of several scientists, which The LHC itself is the world’s largest were eagerly picked up by the media SPACE LAUNCH and highest-energy particle accelerator worldwide. More than one newspaper complex, running for 27km in a circular carried a sensationalist headline along INDIA SET TO LAND FLAG ON tunnel under the Jura Mountains at the the lines of “If you’re reading this, then Swiss/French border. It is designed to the world hasn’t ended!” Otto E. Rössler, MOON BEFORE EUROPEANS collide opposing beams of protons to a German biochemist, has been one of the experiment’s strongest critics, LAST WEDNESDAY, 22 drawing attention to the possibility of October, India successfully creating micro black holes with assumed launched its fi rst mission to the The LHC Safety exponential growth. He calculated that Moon. The robotic Chandrayaan Assessment Group, a nothing will happen for at least four 1 embarks on a two-year years, when two light rays will come mission. It will orbit the moon group of independent out of opposite sides of the Earth due to The Large group of independent scientists, reported It has also been noted that even if micro while compiling a 3D atlas of its the formation of a quasar. He said this Hadron Collider in 2003 that “there is no basis for any black holes were created they would not surface, and release the “Moon scientists, reported in quasar will destroy the Earth from the at CERN on the conceivable threat.” One of the most be able to accumulate matter in a manner Impact Probe” (MIP) to descend 2003 that “there is no inside, causing disasters such as tsunamis France/Swit- regularly repeated arguments against the that would pose a threat to the Earth, and to the ground. The MIP will plant and earthquakes, changing the climate zerland border. they would quickly decay due to Hawking a fl ag on the surface, making basis for any concievable completely and eventually wiping out Photo: Basilio radiation. The creation of strangelets India the fourth nation to do so. threat.” life. Noris The media portrayal of has been dismissed as far-fetched by The creation of hypothetical particles most scientists - the LHC is less likely to probe the very nature of matter itself, called strangelets has been another the LHC experiments produce these than other ion colliders SURPRISING SPECIES recreating the conditions that existed concern. The contact of a strangelet with has been branded already in operation with no ill effects. mere billionths of a second after the birth a lump of ordinary matter such as the The media portrayal of the LHC NEPENTHES RAJAH of the universe. This is done by fi ring Earth would convert the ordinary matter as irresponsible and experiments has been branded as two separate particle beams around the to ‘strange matter’ - hypothetically, this irresponsible and sensationalist by A CARNIVOROUS plant tunnel and colliding them, then using could convert the Earth into a hot, inert sensationalist by psychologists - especially since the death which supplements its detectors to record the particles that are lump of strange matter. psychologists of a 16-year-old Indian girl, who killed protein intake by trapping scattered in all directions. Despite these concerns, the herself after being distressed by the and digesting insects and The Higgs boson (an elusive particle overwhelming response by scientists doomsday predictions was that collisions coverage on an Indian news channel. other prey. It produces also sometimes referred to as the “God has been that there is no danger to the of energies higher than those of the LHC It is a minority of scientists who see the giant urn-shaped traps, particle”,) which gives everything in the Earth by the LHC experiments; rather, have been happening naturally for billions LHC as a danger; most scientists see this which can hold up to 6 cosmos its mass, is one of the particles it will enhance our understanding of the of years – ultra-high-energy cosmic rays as an opportunity to tackle some of the litres of liquid. The plant that scientists are hoping to detect and universe and its components. The LHC impact the Earth’s atmosphere all the most exciting and fundamental questions occasionally catches mammals such as rats and record using the LHC. It is currently Safety Assessment Group (LSAG), a time with no apparent hazardous effects. about our universe. other small vertebrates like frogs.

EGGHEAD OF THE ISSUE MICHAEL FARADAY What do you get up to at night? BRITISH PHYSICIST Michael Faraday founded the Christmas Lectures By Luke Maishman SLEEP TYPES of us, however, are a bit more animated physiological activity at an inappropriate comically incoherent and nonsensical. at the Royal Institution in Science Editor in our sleep. Parasomnias are disruptive time - during sleep. People can perform Somniloquists can also reveal information London. He discovered sleep-related disorders that can occur a variety of activities whilst asleep, that they wouldn’t in their waking hours – electromagnetic induction, AS COLLEGE students, we typically REM MEANS during arousals from both REM and non- from sitting up in bed to more complex the Lady Macbeth effect. invented the electric motor suffer a conflict of interests when it Rapid Eye REM sleep. behaviours such as cleaning, painting or But not all the parasomnias are so and an early form of the Bunsen burner. He was comes to sleep. Between puberty and Movement. driving a car. If awoken they are often benign. Consider sexsomnia – the sleep offered the presidency of the Royal Society, the late twenties, we have a higher sleep This stage of disoriented and confused by their actions; sex disorder. Sufferers engage in a range which he turned down twice. requirement than adults or children, and sleep is when Ambien, used to treat however, there is no evidence to suggest of sexual activities whilst they sleep, yet we also have more active social lives, the most insomnia, has been that waking a sleepwalker is dangerous. and have no memory on waking. The which keep us out late before our early memorable Sleep-eating is another unusual statistics are patchy, as the condition is ON THIS DAY (28 OCTOBER) … morning classes. Sleep is a necessary evil, dreams implicated in causing parasomnia. The prescription drug understandably under-reported, but it and something many of us stave off with happen, but is zolpidem [also known as Ambien], used affects far fewer people than sleepwalking » IN 1912 Sir Richard Doll was born, who in near-LD50-quantities of caffeine and associated with sleep-eating, resulting to treat insomnia, has been implicated itself does. Sexsomniacs can be extremely 1950 became one of the fi rst researchers to link other stimulants. low muscle in one case of a woman in causing sleep-eating, resulting in one aggressive and violent in their pursuit cigarette smoking to lung cancer. In 2004 he But sleep isn’t nearly as boring as we activity. case of a woman gaining 45kg due to her of sex, it can destroy relationships, and published the fi rst research that quantifi ed the might think. In fact, our minds conduct Non-REM gaining 45kg nightly binges! frequently results in prosecution. damage over a generation, based on a 50-year vital housekeeping while we sleep, such sleep (75-80% Somniloquy refers to talking aloud Though usually conducted on partners, study of doctors who smoked. as memory processing. Sleep deprivation of sleep time) Sleepwalking (somnabulism) is the in one’s sleep, as a result of a motor sexsomniacs have been known to molest » IN 1992 scientists who were sonar mapping has been linked to the onset of obesity, is when limb one with which we’re most familiar. breakthrough of dream speech. Sleep strangers and members of their own Loch Ness discovered a mysterious object. They diabetes and reduced immune function. movements From Shakespeare to Stephen King, talking is commonly reported in family. It is a medical condition – sleep declined to speculate as to the implications for Thankfully, most of us remain paralysed and other ac- sleepwalking has long been associated children and as a side-effect of fever. research has shown the same unusual the fabled “Nessie”. whilst asleep – our brain’s way of keeping tivity occur. with stress and troubled minds. It occurs There are many websites dedicated to brainwave activity characteristic of other us safe from acting out our dreams. Some when individuals exhibit otherwise normal recordings of sleep speech, as it can be parasomnias, such as sleepwalking.

COMPETITION A HORRIFYING just 18 or so inches from Ken’s face. The and 285 presentations to stop others industrial SCIENCE WITH blast was so intense that it hit the 70 foot being hurt.” He gives charismatic, moving WIN A YEAR’S SUBSCRIPTION accident in high factory ceiling. Ken’s life was saved and inspirational safety presentations to 1990 cost Ken by his colleagues who dragged him into organisations, workplaces and individuals TO NEW SCIENTIST MAGAZINE Woodward, left, A CONSCIENCE a safety shower and held him under the as well as having a DVD presentation his eyesight, his water while he struggled to get out. pack which is used by many more TO WIN this great prize, submit around 300 words of sense of smell The last person Ken ever saw was his organisations to promote safety at work. your own writing for the Science with a Conscience and his taste. friend and manager Grahame Norris. He has also, while completely blind; panel. Articles should describe a person or group in The experience Coca Cola Schweppes were fi ned learned to fl y a plane and a helicopter, the scientifi c community who displays an inspiring devastated his and are estimated to have lost £2.6 learned how to play guitar, fl own a consideration for ethics or moral concerns. family, traumatised his colleagues and million (about 3.3 million euro) in total, plane around the British Isles to raise Rules: Email entries as an attachment to changed his life forever. resulting from lost production time, money for the RNIB, landed a helicopter [email protected]. Entries will be His dedication since then to raising Compiled by Luke Maishman compensations and fi nes. They changed on Blackpool beach, driven at over 90 judged both on content awareness of safety issues and promoting their safety system and introduced their mph (145 km/h) round a race-track and and journalistic quality. a positive safety culture in industry have “Zero Accident Behaviour” programme, presented to over 1400 people in a Applicants must be won him iternational repute and, in 2006, process he had never? carried out before. with Ken as a consultant. single training session in Ireland. registered students of the OBE for his contribution to workplace The correct pre-mixed chemicals had Since then Ken has worked tirelessly I attended one of his safety Trinity and must not be part safety. run out so he would have to mix them to promote positive safety cultures in the presentations in Dublin in 2007 and can of Trinity News’ editorial Ken was working at a Coca-Cola himself. But Ken was prepared to help his workplace across the globe. According attest to the excellence of his speeches. staff. Entries from students Schweppes factory in Kent, England boss and make sure the next shift weren’t to his website even while dealing with He is a likeable, charismatic and genuine who have not written for when the accident occurred in November starting off with a mess. the consequences of his own accident person with a great sense of humour and Trinity News before will be 1990. He was asked at the end of his shift On mixing the two chemicals an and resulting blindness Ken made, in one I will not forget his safety message for viewed favourably. Closing to do the clean ready for the next shift, a instantanious, violent reaction occurred year alone, “112 fl ights, 19 overseas trips some time yet. date: 12 December, 2008. TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS Tuesday, October 14, 2008 20 TRAVEL October 28, 2008

COMPETITION Surfi ng Backpack to barrels in stardom in Bundoran Read on for a chance to win a surfi ng weekend for two Bollywood SURF’S UP, dude! And our friends at Donegal Adventure Centre in Bundoran are inviting classes, clubs & societies & The sights and smells of India give even groups of friends to arrange a beginner surf weekend during the year. The hardened backpackers sensory overload. But Donegal Adventure Centre is Ireland’s biggest surf school, and they also have for something a little different why not try to very cool hostel accommodation right in the centre of town. tread the path to stardom by landing yourself The Adventure Center arranges a bus from Trinity taking you directly to the a part in an all-singing, all-dancing Bollywood hostel. You can bring supplies for the weekend, and there’s a Lidl close by! The centre instructors will tell you what pubs By Derek Larney scenes are typically fi lmed in instantly and clubs are good for your fi rst night. Travel Editor recognizable locations such as the Sydney On Saturday, you go surfing! The Opera House or Westminster Abbey but Donegal Adventure Centre provides all BOLLYWOOD MOVIES conjure up the indoor scenes are all shot in studios in the gear you need. Having previously images of exotically dressed Hindi Mumbai. As a lot of the scripts have some held rounds of the World & European dancers who mime to songs that lament scenes set overseas, the industry has a Surfing Championships, Bundoran is their desire for love and fortune and burgeoning demand for foreign extras, undoubtedly Ireland’s best surf spot, such images are never too far from the the majority of whom come from India’s boasting large waves and sandy breaks truth. Bollywood, which is a hybrid name backpacker circuit in search of a day of for novices. Expert tuition is on hand too coming from Bombay, the former name glitz and glamour. to help perfect your skills. of the coastal Indian city of Mumbai, One such traveler, Julie from You don’t have to be super-fi t or a is big business. Over 1,200 movies are Shropshire, explains “Within an hour of super swimmer – beginner lessons take shot here annually and it has many of arriving at the Mumbai train station I place in white (shallow) water, and there the trappings of its Los Angeles cousin, was approached on the street by a casting are plenty of lifeguards & coaches around including actresses that wait your agent who told me there was a shoot the to keep you safe. table and directors who chat up their next day and he was on the lookout for If you don’t want to surf, the Adventure waitresses. Last year Bollywood box twenty girls with blonde hair to dance in Centre has a fantastic ‘Adventure offi ces sold over 3.2 billion cinema tickets a nightclub scene. I jumped at the chance, Challenge’. It’s a team event, and includes which marks it on the map as the largest a crocodile pit, entrapment & zipline. fi lm industry in the world. In comparison You can try climbing & abseiling, high Hollywood managed 2.5 billion viewers of BECOME A BOLLYWOOD EXTRA ropes, Jacob’s ladder or you can skate the its weekend releases. Many hostels in Colaba, the tour- bone yard, with their very own half-pipe. Back in the founding days of Bollywood ist district of Mumbai, have con- Alternatively just veg; there nice coffee most motion pictures were strictly low tacts with the local fi lm industry. shops and pubs to relax in. budget affairs which contained heavy In the evenings The Chasin’ Bull pub Just ask the receptionist, more doses of action and gangsters interspersed has upcoming gigs including Fred, The than likely they can put you in with some song and dance. The song and Flaws, The Guggenheim Grotto, Red Kid touch with a casting agent. dance has remained and nowadays lavish & Dirty Epics. The Salvation Army hostel on musicals with a romantic storyline are the Mereweather Road is especially order of the day. Some fi lms mix this with The Donegal Adventure Centre offer known as a recruiting ground an action hero who may also cite a few special discounted rates to Trinity cringing comedy lines on his way to saving for fi lm extras. Also try the no- students between November 08 and the day and bagging the heroine, a bit like tice board in Leopold’s Café; it March 09. Class organisers & clubs an Indian Arnold Schwarzenegger. is often full with casting agency and societies should contact Niamh Increasingly over the last decade advertisements. If you are limited at [email protected]. Bollywood has gone global. With an Asian for time try to arrange it before They can take groups from 8 - 100 diaspora all over the world and a huge arriving in Mumbai. Email Khan A scene from Bollywood hit Bombay Dreams. people. Visit their website at www. following in neighbouring countries such Shaban of Casting Planet on donegaladventurecentre.net as Pakistan and Bangladesh the demand [email protected] people are needed in them, as well as To help extras through a long day can go along to enjoy their fi fteen seconds for Bollywood films has exploded. the fi lming of other scenes. “On the set I there are runners on set who bring of fame on the big screen. For those Actresses such as Aishwarya Rai and played twenty questions with some Dutch copious amounts of tea and coffee and a who appear in smaller budget fi lms, it’s WIN A SURF TRIP FOR TWO Preity Zinta are now household names for mainly because it was something different guys and a Norwegian girl. After four full working day will involve at least one, straight to the video shop. Trinity News has teamed up with well over a billion people, whilst another, to the bog-standard trip around the local hours we fi nally got called for our dance but generally two meals during which Acting in a Bollywood fi lm won’t be the Donegal Adventure Center to Shilpa Shetty, is probably best known on museums”. During the low tourist season scene. The funny thing was there was no all present can enjoy curries, dhal, naan your big break, but for those with time on offer one lucky reader a prize of a these shores for being the target of racial casting agents have even been known to music; it was due to be dubbed in later. bread and rice from the buffet. Actors are their hands it can give a unique insight surf weekend for two to Bundoran abuse from Jade Goody during Celebrity travel over ten hours away to the beach We were all up on stage busting a few paid at the end of each days work. The into how a motion picture is made and including two nights accommoda- Big Brother. resort of Goa in an effort to recruit some moves with not a tune to be heard, it was wages won’t make you rich but they are will also serve as a great way of meeting tion and lessons. To enter just Since the global rise of Bollywood there westerners to fi ll in the gaps in large very surreal and reminded me of a silent quite good by Indian standards, typically other travelers. Hanging around a fi lm answer this simple question: What has been more pressure on directors to productions. disco I was once at in uni. At the end of ranging from 400 to 1000 rupees per set for hours on end can often get tedious is the phone number of the Done- produce increasingly professional fi lms However it is not necessarily all glitz the scene the director shouted cut and day, approximately €6 to €15, depending so make sure to bring a good sense of and this, coupled with unprecedented and glamour, working days are typically after a bite to eat we were being ferried on the production. Movies themselves humour and your travel scrabble. In any gal Adventure Center? Email your budgets has led to the film industry eight to ten hours and there can be a lot of back to Mumbai city centre in minivans are made at a startling rate, typically they case, posing as an extra in an exotic scene, answer to [email protected] by going on location to places such as the sitting around whilst the director decides with a promise of an email to let us know will be in the cinemas two months after surrounded by a backdrop of false ocean 3 November. The winner will be UK, Canada and Australia. The outdoor on the sequence of scenes and how many when the fi lm would be released”. fi lming which means some lucky travelers and beach is a story for the grandkids. announced in the next edition. Discovering the delights of Turkey’s largest city

Istanbul separates the East from the West, both TURKEY: GETTING THERE geographically, religiously and culturally, making TURKISH AIRLINES are the only airline that fl y Dublin to Istanbul this booming city a melting pot to savour direct, from €250 return. Another option is to transit Gatwick and go onwards with Easyjet. We the instantly recognisable Sultan Ahmed By Derek Larney found return fl ights in January for Mosque, commonly known as the Blue Travel Editor less than €120 by this route. Log Mosque. onto skyscanner.net ISTANBUL IS a city of some 16 million This is undoubtedly one of Islam’s souls, making it one of the largest cities greatest buildings and has a major Most travelers tend to stay in in the world. It is a city that is divided in advantage over others in that non-Muslims Sultanahmet district which has three by the Bosphorous Strait, which are allowed inside, provided long trousers many tourist attractions on its connects the Black Sea with the Mamara are worn and shoulders are covered. The doorstep. Dorm beds go from €9 Sea in the Mediterranean. Straddling outside is decorated with six minarets upwards, a double ensuite is from two continents, Istanbul is blessed with and domes that appear to cascade from €25. Most hostels have free WiFi miles of beautiful coastline upon which one another. Inside there is space for well and a rooftop restaurant with a lie thousands of stunning waterfront over 3,000 pilgrims. Adjacent to the Blue view of the Blue Mosque. Be wary homes and beaches whilst it also has a Mosque is the Hippodrome where the though- you may have an excel- convoluted history to match its coastline. Romans held chariot races. The obelisks lent view of the Blue Mosque Formerly known as Byzantium and later and sculptures of Roman gods from the from your bedroom window but Constantinople the city was home to the 4th century still remain. that’s not so good when the Greek, Roman and Ottoman Empires, all Another unmissable sight in Istanbul minarets crank up for the 5.30am of whom left their mark. Nowadays there is that of Topkaki Palace which was the call to prayers. are many sides to Istanbul. It is both a seat of Ottoman Sultans for over four A 30-day tourist visa costs €15. modern thriving metropolis which exudes hundred years. The palace itself is listed You do not need a visa in ad- a new confi dence and also an ancient as a UNESCO World Heritage site and The Blue Mosque in Istanbul is one of the world’s fi nest examples of Byzantian architecture. Photo: Derek Larney vance; simply purchase it on backwater that clings to conservative it is not hard to see why as you stroll arrival in the airport before you ways. The beauty is in the discovery. through the Imperial Gates. Inside, Getting around the city is quite easy with a Mahmudiye, a chicken dish that is infused that are dancing in a trance, so many come to customs. The Sultanahmet area is host to a dozens of buildings make up this regal choice of metered taxis, trams, buses and with almonds, apricots and honey. The can’t whirl for longer than a few minutes number of Istanbul’s shining gems. The complex; everything from the stunning a metro but perhaps the most enjoyable well-known Turkish dessert of baklava, before dizziness takes over. The Mevlevi mosque alarm clocks. Just down the road Hagia Sophia is perhaps one of the greatest collection of war bounty in the Imperial way is to take one of the dozens of ferries which is made with pistachio nuts, is both dervishes are from the Sufi religious sect from the Grand Bazaar one can fi nd the examples of Byzantine architecture to be Treasury to the soothing mosaics of the that ply the Bosphorous every day. A trip delicious and ubiquitous. Fans of seafood and can whirl for hours on end. Egyptian Bazaar, otherwise known as the found anywhere on earth. Built in 526AD Circumcision room (where young princes up the Bosphorous to the mouth of the will not be disappointed in Istanbul For those who like to shop till they Spice Market. Here traders do their best it is a feat of engineering that stood as went for a snip) is on display. The Imperial Black Sea is well worth the journey, even either; swordfi sh, sea bass and turbot are drop there is no better place than the to entice you in with promises of natural the world’s largest building for well over Harem is perhaps the highlight of any if only to relax and view the waterside regularly featured on menus. Grand Bazaar. Turkish viagra and aphrodisiacs. 1,000 years. Underneath its giant dome visit; these were the Sultan’s personal mosques and mansions. For nightly entertainment that is Hosting over 4,500 shops the this Istanbul is a vibrant, up-and-coming are dozens of intricate mosaics depicting apartments where he and his several Istanbul comes alive at nighttime. slightly different try to track down a gigantic shopping centre has become a city which more and more inter-railers everything from Alexander the Great to wives and concubines were housed. The In the modern Taksim Square area the show with some whirling dervishes. tourist attraction in itself but for those who are discovering. Jesus and Mary, although many were Harem contains well over one hundred streets that radiate from the square are Enquire at the tourist offi ce if there are duck down the less frequented alleyways With more than enough to see destroyed in the Sack of Constantinople apartments which all face onto their own full of lively bars, cafes and nightclubs. any on at Monastir Mevlevi. Although a small piece of old Istanbul remains. on a long weekend and a plethora of in 1204 AD. courtyards. Food in the city is far more than doner there are many whirling dervish shows Traders sell everything from camel skin entertainment, expect to see this city gain Just across from the Hagia Sophia is A delight of Istanbul is its waterways. kebabs; do not leave without trying in Istanbul few are authentic dervishes to beach balls, gold jewellery to replica in popularity over the coming years. TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS Tuesday, October 14, 2008 October 28, 2008 SPORT 21

A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY Name: John “Jack” Charlton

Born: Ashington, Northumber- Giving it a lash: land, May 8, 1935 Playing Career: Leeds United, 1952 - 1974, 773 appearances

England, 1965 - 1970, 35 caps an interview Honours: League Cup 1968; FA Cup 1972; Fairs Cup 1968 & 1971; First Division Championship 1969; World Cup 1966

Managment career: Middles- brough 1973 - 77; Sheffi eld with Big Jack Wednesday 1977 - 83; Newcastle Utd 1984 - 85; Republic of Ireland 1986 - 1995

Likes: Football, fi shing, Bill Bryson After a glittering playing career, Jack Charlton took Ireland books, Guinness to two World Cups, earning himself honourary citizenship Dislikes: Roy Keane and the eternal affections of a nation in the process. Here, he talks to Conor James McKinney about Italia ‘90, that audience with the Pope and a certain Carlsberg ad...

ack Charlton, English and Irish in the world, which is incredible.” Clearly, footballing legend. My own though, he still regards getting there as memories of Ireland’s World Cup the major achievement: “For Ireland to triumphs are a little hazy, but out qualify, it’s an exceptional thing. Mick did of curiousity I dug through my it, I did it, and it’s hopeful that the new childhoodJ relics and unearthed a sort of manger will do it.” scrapbook from the time of USA ‘94, fi lled Postgrads and mature students with photos culled from the Irish Times aside, few of us would have any concrete with little captions scrawled underneath, memories of the heady days of Ireland’s most of them an enduring testament to World Cup adventures under Charlton. the fact that seven year olds say some As a nation, we’ve gotten a lot richer weird things. While the interviewer was and a lot more cynical since the early compiling this monument to a misspent ‘90’s, when the country was still, to put it youth, the interviewee was establishing mildly, a bit crap. It’s hard now to picture himself as the darling of a nation. It’s the sheer mass euphoria that took hold — hard not to feel a little intimidated. hundreds of thousands lined the streets The opulent surroundings of the of Dublin to welcome the team home — Westbury don’t exactly settle the nerves. still less harbour any expectation that it It’s fi lled with well-dressed people who will ever be repeated in this day and age. have a lot more money and class than your For Charlton, however, the memories of average student journalist, and that’s just Irish pride in their team’s achievements the staff. Jack Charlton though, grew up are still fresh: in the North of England, and is wearing a “When we came back from Italy, the lovely jumper. It’s a pretention-free zone. pilot took us up O’Connell Street, and he tipped the aeroplane up sideways so that we could see all the crowd waiting below. Now 73, Charlton retains his passion for football. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfi le We landed at the airport and it took us “It was great hours to get into town.” and thought ‘they’ve gotta be better than we’ve got enough high quality players, entertainment for an That must have been amazing, that’...that’s why I applied for the job”. like Mick [McCarthy] had and I had… “I don’t think we’ve got Trinty News ventures, especially for an The vexed question of the tactics he that’s why it’s important that they follow hour and a half… and Englishman with no previous connections subsequently employed has generated Mr. Trappatoni’s system.” He’s met the enough high quality to the country now hailing him as a more newsprint than it perhaps deserves, new fella, but although the conversation players, like Mick had then the Pope came in” national saviour...? given the relative success of the Charlton was naturally heavy on footballing topics, “It was good, but I went away fi shing era, but it has been pointed out that some they didn’t discuss the Irish setup – “that’s and I had… that’s why then.” extremely talented players were made to not my business, it’s his business.” Certainly no chance of getting carried play a very basic game plan that didn’t Many of the high quality players of it’s important that they As I mumble something about Trinity, away so. It makes sense: he’s an old- put their abilities to full use. Jack, for the the Charlton era were, famously, British follow Mr. Trappatoni’s he politely shows me where I should be fashioned northener, born in a little record, says that “the game we played had players with a few Irish skeletons in the putting the dictaphone. mining village to the north of Newcastle, to be simple”. With international matches family closet. “I got John Aldridge and system” “I got invited to Trinity College last where he now lives with his wife of occuring quite infrequently, players had Ray Houghton on the same day. I went to year to receive an honorary thing — I’d fi fty years. A man who, despite having to be able to come back from their clubs see John Aldridge play and he said ‘what to take a job.” This has continued since: already received one from somewhere strong family connections with football, and “slot back into the groove”. There was about him over there?’… I called Ray in high demand as a speaker, much of his in Dublin — and I never got back to could well have seen out his days down no point, he says, in playing a system that over and I said, ‘Ray, you got any Irish time is now spent travelling around the them”. Ah, Jack. He’s not short of in the coal mines, and almost went to a players would be unable to remember connections?’ He said, ‘Yeah, my father’s British Isles attending various events. He awards and decorations, to be fair: job interview instead of playing the trial and adapt to when they were summoned from Donegal’. It was easier to get him loves it. “I’ve got seven or eight doctorates from match that ultimately gave him his break for international duty. qualifi ed than it was John Aldridge!” He What does he do with himself these different universities all over England in soccer, Charlton is about as far removed Wherever you stand on that particular and his assistant, Maurice Setters, spent days when he’s not on the after-dinner and Ireland”. He counts them off on from our modern-day conceptions of controversy, it’s generally accepted that half their time scouting for potential circuit? Gardening, apparently: if his fi ngers, “Limerick… Dublin… two in the professional footballer as the old the current crop of Irish players aren’t talent, although not all them made an tomatoes are your thing (there must be Leeds, Newcastle”. It’s gratifying that leather balls are from the lightweight, a patch on the Bradys, McGraths and instant impact: “I went and saw Andy someone out there), note that “the little although the Dublin one was almost engineered wonders that the Premiership Townsends that Jack had at his disposal. Townsend about three times before I yellow ones” have the Jack Charlton certainly UCD, he doesn’t remember the uses nowadays. While full of praise for the new man at made my mind up.” seal of approval. “I’ve got three or four name of the place. “Playing was a job,” he says, and so was the helm, Charlton agrees: “I don’t think houses, you see, and every time I go I’ve He’s here to promote a DVD, Italia ’90 management, although you sense he’s got to cut the grass, tidy the place up, Revisited, which could be ideal for those alright for a few bob these days, despite chop off branches and things.” Ah. A sort of us that weren’t really tuned in at the seeing out his career in the days before of enforced hobby, then, although you time. Charlton is most enthuasiastic and stars started getting weekly salaries that “Me and our Robert were the only ones that had suspect that John Terry or Rio Ferdinand at ease when talking football. His passion could bail out Fannie Mae. The Ireland probably pay someone to cut the grass in and pride in what the side achieved in job was probably the closest to being a football because our uncles played professional front of their various mansions. Italy, and again in the United States a labour of love: after watching a side football… that was how we got a game” He also endorses Carlsberg; if you four years later, is still very much in packed with quality players lose 3-1 to haven’t seen the ad, go and YouTube it evidence. “We were actually 8th, or 7th, Denmark, Charlton “looked at the team, now. Unless you’re a rampaging feminist, e’s reluctant to be drawn that is. Filmed in Barcelona, Charlton on the propects for young says that while the fi lming was a bit of people in the game nowadays, fun, “I kept falling out with people… there Hwith big clubs head-hunting were so many little things to do, myself foreign players barely into their teens, and Gilesy had to keep reminding them but it’s clear he’s not overly impressed that we’re not fucking actors.” with the brave new world. He dislikes He must have told the story about the academy system, saying that the elite falling asleep during the team’s audience training they provide is no substitute for with the Pope hundreds of times, but still learning at the coalface. “You’ve gotta chuckles heartily at the end after relating get stuck in,” he says bluntly. He’s not it to Trinity News. Being received into the alone in voicing concern at the number Vatican, seeing the Sistine Chapel and the of overseas players in the English game: rest of it was incredible, but: “it was great “sometimes you go to a match, you can’t entertainment for an hour and a half… and pronounce one fucking name… they don’t then the Pope came in.” Not in the same put in any of the kids that are coming league as Jack as entertaining company, through.” old JP, but then few people are. He also sees a decline in kids kicking a ball about of a Saturday. During his own childhood in the aftermath of World READER COMPETITION War II he would partake in marathon, 15 Trinity News, in its boundless gen- and 20 a side games of football with the erosity, has two copies of Italia local kids: “Me and our Robert [Jack’s ‘90 Revisited to give away to TCD brother, Sir Bobby Charlton] were the students or staff. We want to hear only ones that had a football because your funniest, most entertaining our uncles played professional football… or most touching memory of Italia that was how we got a game.” There was ’90 or USA ’94. Whether you were admittedly little in the way of alternative pursuits: “We had nothing else. Now over at one of the games, watch- we’ve got television, we’ve got computers, ing on TV, or pretending your we’ve got everything in the world.” dolls were the Irish soccer team, After leaving the Ireland job in 1995, write no more than 150 words on surely he was tempted to take on another your experience during Ireland’s post in the game? “I do regret it sometimes World Cup under Jack, and email when I’m at a football game, I think ‘I them to collegesport@trinitynews. should have been involved’.” He had ie. The deadline for entries is Fri- offers, but claims to have had so much on day 31st October at 5pm. Jack Charlton sunning himself during one of Ireland’s training sessions at USA ‘94. Photo: David Maher/Sportsfi le his plate, he “never got any opportunity TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS Tuesday, October 14, 2008 22 SPORT October 28, 2008 Sailors party up a storm at varsity event

By Lisa Tait The older team members were very defeated. a long time! impressed with the level of determination The seconds, thirds and fourths all Despite the poor weather conditions, of our young comrades. Some pairs even sailed extremely well, with the fifths the event shows a promising future for TRINITY STUDENTS attended the fi rst took this camaraderie to a new and, dare leading their division and the fourths Trinity Sailing. We have very strong intervarsity sailing event of the year over I say, more intimate level. coming a close second. teams from fi rsts to fi fths, and this year the weekend of 18th/19th October. The On Saturday morning, we awoke to After racing and many much-needed we are sure to benefi t greatly from the event, which was organised by Trinity perfect sailing conditions. With Trinity power naps, people began to assemble teaching of our newly appointed coach Sailing Club, was held in Terryglass, graduate John Downey as Race Offi cer, their costumes for the Bad Taste party. Emma Lovegrove. Lough Derg. Sailors arrived on Friday in racing began quickly and effi ciently. The The controversial costumes, though On behalf of the club, I would like to a frenzy to get the event started with a First team got off to a great start with unrepeatable in print, were as varied take this opportunity to thank DUCAC bang. That they did: the night began with three back to back wins. This was enough and imaginative as the debauchery that and Trinity Association and Trust for all the highly anticipated fresher initiations to ensure their place in the quarter fi nal ensued. their support in helping us to secure a which included beer bongs, drinking the following day. The fourth race against Unfortunately, due to gale force winds, brand new set of fi refl ies this year. games and freshers taped to one another DIT , who are shaping up to be our biggest Sunday’s racing had to be cancelled and (which proved extremely tricky come rivals this year, proved the most tricky. so we all packed up our boats and bid For more information, please check toilet time!). Despite a good start, we were narrowly Rough seas at Terryglass brought proceedings to a premature end Terryglass adieu for what is likely to be out www.sailing.tcdlife.ie

Beginners get to grips Still no joy for hockey ladies with Whacking Day SCORE the nearest opposition player, Bray were consistently able to fi nd players in space. DULHC 1 They set about getting a winner, By Daragh Gleeson the Intervarsity title. BRAY 2 and only Christine Boyle’s brave block DCU’s team seemed a tournament prevented them from converting a short favourite. Both highly athletic and well- corner around 55 minutes in. While she IT’S RARE to see hundreds of people trained, they seemed unstoppable - until By Conor James McKinney shook off the blow to play on, teammate thrown into a gigantic sports hall to they met Trinity. The team put in a huge College Sport Editor Katie O’Byrne compounded a poor compete in a tournament in a sport performance, Andrew Hogg catching afternoon by picking up a yellow card for they’ve never seen before. But this is countless scores and leaving his marker EXACT STATISTICS for Leinster hockey consistently failing to retreat from Bray what happened on the 18th of October in for dead, Paul Myler using his height to fi xtures are hard to come by, so we can free strokes. With her out of the picture, DCU’s annual beginner’s tournament, good advantage on defence and Ciaran only speculate as to how many frees were Bray ran riot. Elliot kept out one short Whacking Day. Parkin chasing down every loose pass. given against Trinity’s First XI in Santry corner, but shoddy passing in defence Designed to introduce people to In the end Trinity eked out a win, a last week. An informed guess would be led to another, which was defl ected in the sport of Ultimate Frisbee, the promising sign in the campaign to retain something in the region of 17,000. Luck to give Bray a lead which, in truth, they tournament’s structure is simple: 5-a- their varsity title. just wasn’t on their side, as the ladies now deserved. side with each team playing several The women’s team in the meantime fi nd themselves adrift at the bottom of With ten minutes remaining, Bray short matches throughout the day, the were putting in solid performances against the league. continued to dominate possession and tournament eventually ending in a party. UL and NUIG. They began to develop a If any side was likely to give Trinity territory. Scott alone seemed able to hold Eager to maintain the club’s success, highly fl uid level of play towards the end a break following three straight defeats, her own in midfi eld, and it was her break DUUFC were looking for a strong of both games, stringing together lots of it was Bray, still on the hunt for their that won a series of short corners near showing from their beginner players, passes to cut up the opponent’s defence fi rst ever win in Division 1 hockey. To the end to howls of approval from the and they were not disappointed. The new and using their speed to good effect. their credit, they didn’t look it. Early crowd. Trinity failed to show suffi cient players on both the men’s and women’s The fi nal game of the day for the men pressure down the right had Trinity on nous to put them away, however, and teams showed a quick grasp of the game was against UCD, the team that over the the back foot, and when the home side Caroline Murphy’s horrible miscue and managed some impressive results. past few years have come to be almost were in possession, the gravitational pull The ladies just couldn’t cope with Bray in midfi eld. Photo: Steven Findlater was sadly typical of the skills’ defi cit. The men’s team started out against their nemesis. Their beginner team looked of their own goal seemed to overpower There was only time for Gorman to take the University of Limerick. UL began as strong this year, boasting impressive their attacking instincts. When they Despite their tireless running, Trinity Her charges seemed to take this on another tilt at the windmill and Holloway the more structured and purposeful team height and speed, but in the end they did manage to earn a short corner, it looked unsettled at the back – another board during a bright opening period to start arguing with the umpire before and scored an initial fl urry of points but were overcome by the performances of went a-begging – Maebh Horan’s shot short corner went against them, this time of the second half. Managing to retain the whistle signalled the end of another as the game wore on the tide began to the Trinity players, aided as the team blocked by the fi rst defender – and it was with no result, and Bray were generally possession for longer despite the best disappointing afternoon for the ladies. turn in favour of Trinity, who ended up were by the late arrival of Derek Dunne. too much to hope that Bray would return able to counter-attack with ease. Gorman, efforts of the umpires, chances came This performance, only occasionally claiming the victory. Hogg again embarrassed the opposition the favour when an identical opportunity however, was a woman on a mission as thick and fast; after being denied once played with suffi cient pace and urgency, The women’s team, coached by Ireland all over the pitch, while Declan Johnston presented itself to the Wicklow side. A she went looking for the equaliser; one in a one-on-one with the Bray right back, will need to be improved upon if Trinity internationals Heather Barry and Finola chipped in with some solid defensive play, powerful effort gave Jess Elliot in goal exploratory dart down the left to take Gorman came back for more, sweeping are to avoid the drop this year. Although Shannon, also started slow but picked up and the game ended in success. no chance, and left Trinity with an uphill a Costigan pass won a corner, and a through the Bray ranks like a particularly captain and coach were keen to point out the intensity as the games wore on. The All in all, it seems to be a promising struggle. subsequent lung-busting run in search destructive Caribbean hurricane, only to the marked improvement in performances big game to watch was the UCD game year for Ultimate Frisbee in Trinity, and Bray’s passing was much slicker, and of Horan’s through ball forced the Bray be cut off by another superb tackle within and results since the 2-8 loss to Hermes, where they put in a terrifi c performance. for the sport in general. Some predict time and again they were able to storm goalie into her fi rst intervention of the spitting distance of the goal. Costigan also it remains to be seen whether they can Caitlin Reily showed an early ability to that the sport will be bigger than football through the midfi eld with ease. Trinity’s afternoon. went close, but as she wound up the ball improve fast enough. beat her marker, and Tara Monaghan and rugby in ten years, although these best options looked to be in the forwards, After a prolonged period mired in the was robbed from under her nose at the fell easily into place at the back of the people are widely discredited, and often where Ireland U18 international Irene left-hand corner – much to the frustration last possible moment. pitch as a handler (the equivalent of a laughed at. As tournaments in Cork and Gorman was looking lively alongside of the bench – Horan got free again with It was their failure to convert any of THE TEAM quarterback) and started to direct the Edinburgh loom on the horizon, and the Danielle Costigan, who took more than her a superbly timed run and fi red in a cross. these opportunites that ultimately cost fl ow of events. club struggles to deal with the injury to fair share of knocks in trying to discomfi t Experience won out in the ensuing melee, the home side, as the umpire was by now J. Elliot, C. Costigan, C. Murphy, V. The atmosphere began to change as one of its best players - Keith Coleman a robust Bray defence. In midfi eld, where as Costigan managed to squeeze through living out a Santa Claus fantasy in the Buckley, M. Horan, N.Douglas, R. the day wore on. The games everyone the 6’ 5’’ French international, out with Trinity struggled throughout, Rachel an equaliser on the stroke of half-time. amount of frees he gave. Frustration told, Scott, C. Heardon (c), K. O’Byrne, wanted to see were those played between a shattered pelvis - such strength in Scott nonetheless put in an eye-catching Coach Mandy Holloway had plenty to and the cooler heads of Bray were able I. Gorman, D. Costigan, L. Small, the big three - Trinity, UCD and DCU. depth as these new players are providing display, with the Junior Freshman playing say during the break, mostly to do with to take advantage: where the occasional C. Coakley, A. Coyle, C. Boyle. Each college wanted their new players to is welcome, and will stand Trinity some of the best hockey on the park. the merits of moving the ball quicker. Trinity free strokes were hovered up by perform well and stake an early claim to in good strength for years to come.

MEN’S RUGBY MEN’S HOCKEY MEN’S SOCCER AIL DIVISION 2 LEINSTER DIVISION 2 SAT MAJOR 1D DUCAC Pos Team P W D L F A TB LB Pts Pos Team P W D L F A Pts Pos Team P W D L F A Pts 1. Ballynahinch 4 4 0 0 113 33 2 0 18 1. Skerries 3 3 0 0 17 5 9 1. Swords Celtic 7 6 6 0 22 10 19 holds AGM 2. Bruff 4 3 0 1 68 38 1 1 14 2. Suttonians 3 2 0 1 12 4 6 2. Templeogue United 7 4 4 1 22 7 14 3. Malone 4 3 0 1 52 38 0 1 13 3. Clontarf 2 2 0 0 10 2 6 3. DUAFC 5 4 4 0 22 5 13 THE ANNUAL general meeting of 4. Belfast Harlequins 4 3 0 1 50 47 0 1 13 4. Bray 2 2 0 0 8 3 6 4. Brendanville FC 5 4 4 0 12 6 13 Dublin University Central Athletics Club 5. Lansdowne 4 2 1 1 93 56 1 1 12 5. Dublin University 2 1 0 1 12 7 3 5. Dunboyne AFC 8 3 3 4 22 20 10 (DUCAC) took place last Wednesday in 6. UCC 4 2 1 1 89 62 1 1 12 6. Avoca 3 1 0 2 6 7 3 6. Garda FC 6 3 3 2 13 15 10 the Edmund Burke Theatre. 7. Bective Rangers 4 2 1 1 79 66 1 1 12 7. Weston 2 0 0 2 0 9 0 7. Clonee United 3 3 3 0 10 4 9 The following students were elected 8. Dublin University 4 2 1 1 66 58 0 1 11 8. Naas 2 0 0 2 1 13 0 8. Confey FC 8 2 2 3 8 9 9 unopposed as student representatives: 9. Greystones 4 2 0 2 64 59 0 2 10 9. Navan 3 0 0 2 1 17 0 9. Greenhills AFC 9 1 1 4 17 26 7 Rob O’Kirwan (boxing), John Lavelle 10. Old Crescent 4 2 0 2 51 53 0 1 9 10. Boyne Rovers 6 1 1 2 8 7 6 (soccer), Tom Heavy (cycling), Niamh 11. Highfi eld 4 2 0 2 39 64 0 0 8 Skerries now top the division, and the First XI face a tough 11. Loughshinny United 6 1 1 3 10 17 5 Murphy (ladies boat), Rob Swift (boat), 12. Clonakilty 4 1 0 3 44 46 1 1 6 away fi xture at Clontarf next week as they bid to stay in 12. Rush Athletic 7 1 1 4 17 25 5 Claire McGlynn (harriers and athletics, 13. DLSP 4 1 0 3 64 72 1 1 6 touch. 13. Verona FC 8 1 1 6 12 30 4 reelected), Karl McGuickan (GAA), 14. Wanderers 4 1 0 3 36 89 0 1 5 14. Rathcoole Boys 7 0 2 5 8 22 2 Robbie Woods (squash). 15. Thomond 4 0 0 4 40 87 0 2 2 18/10/08 DUHC 4 7 Skerries While the officers of the DUCAC 16. Instonians 4 0 0 4 45 125 0 0 0 25/10/08 Clontarf v DUHC 18/10/08 DUAFC 5 1 Rush Athletic executive were all elected or re-elected unopposed – although such was the speed 18/10/08 Greystones 23 27 DUFC of their nomination and confi rmation, the 25/10/08 DUFC 13 13 Bective Rangers TENNIS students attending had little opportunity LADIES’ HOCKEY to infl uence the process had they wished FLOODLIGHT LEAGUE to - a vote was taken for the student- LADIES’ RUGBY LEINSTER DIVISION 1 held position of Honorary Secretary. 28/10/08 Templeogue 1 v Trinity 1 (ladies) Brendan Guildea of the Boat Club was LEINSTER WOMEN’S LEAGUE Pos Team P W D L F A Pts 29/10/08 Malahide 2 v Trinity 1 (men) elected ahead of Karl McGuickan, who 1. Railway Union 3 3 0 0 9 0 9 03/11/08 Trinity 1 v Templeogue 2 (men) did not attend the meeting. Dr. Trevor 02/11/08 Trinity v St. Mary’s 2. Loreto 4 2 2 0 12 2 8 04/11/08 Trinity 1 v Sutton 1 (ladies) West was confi rmed as Chairman, as was 09/11/08 Old Belvedere v Trinity 3. Pembroke 4 2 2 0 8 5 8 Dr. Cyril Smyth as Honorary Treasurer 4. Hermes 4 2 1 1 13 6 7 ULTIMATE FRISBEE and Mr. John Terry as Senior Honorary 5. UCD 3 2 1 0 6 2 7 Treasurer. Dr. Roger West was deemed LADIES’ SQUASH MEN’S SQUASH 6. Glenanne 4 1 2 1 4 6 5 CORK OPEN elected as vice-chairman. DUCAC is the 7. Old Alexandra 4 1 1 2 5 8 4 only capitated body in College that is not 1ST DIVISION PREMIER DIVISION 8. Bray 4 1 1 2 4 8 4 Takes place over the fi rst weekend in November run mainly by students. 9. Trinity College 4 0 0 4 4 14 0 Also in attendance was Mr. Terry Pos Team P Pts Pos Team P Pts 10. Corinthian 4 0 0 4 1 15 0 GAELIC FOOTBALL McAuley, Director of Sport, who reported 1. Aer Lingus A 2 21 1. Westwood A 3 46 that over 300,000 visits had been made 2. Trinity A 2 20 2. Sutton A 3 41 Following consecutive 1-2 reverses to UCD and Bray, Trinity INTERVARSITY LEAGUE to the new sports centre over the past 3. Fitzwilliam B 2 17 3. Fitzwilliam B 3 41 still have no league points to report, although they move off year. Around two-thirds of the student 4. Total Fitness MH 2 14 4. Fitzwilliam A 2 26 the bottom of the table by dint of superior goal difference 29/10/08 St. Pat’s v Trinity body made use of the facility, which Mr. 5. Mt. Pleasant B 2 12 5. Mt. Pleasant A 3 24 to Corinthians, who lost 0-8 to Loreto on Saturday. McAuley said compared very favourably 6. Westwood B 2 9 6. Curragh A 3 20 HURLING to usage rates in other universities, 7. Old Belvedere A 3 17 16/10/08 UCD 2 1 Trinity College although it may be that this was due to 8. Trinity A 2 3 18/10/08 Trinity College 1 2 Bray INTERVARSITY LEAGUE ROUND 3 once-off visits to see the new facilities. He 01/11/08 Old Alexandra v Trinity College also noted that Dublin University sports 05/11/08 Mt. Pleasant A v Trinity A 05/11/08 Trinity A v Curragh A 08/11/08 Glennane v Trinity College 04/11/08: Trinity v Carlow IT facilities were made available to over 100 external community groups last year, and said that the Department would like to see this increase next year. TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS Tuesday, October 14, 2008 October 28, 2008 SPORT 23

The Commentary Boxx

Conor James McKinney

GOING PLACES? BRING YOUR BOOTS, YOU JUST NEVER KNOW

THE SOCIAL aspect of belonging to a sports club is all-important. With most, it is at least as vital an element as running oneself into the ground, hitting balls or almost drowning, or what it is your chosen discipline requires. There may be some club lurking in the ether whose members are expected to show up for training, play a weekly fi xture, and go home again for a shower and a nice lie down. If there is, most of us don’t want to know about it; the vast majority of Trinity’s clubs are dedicated to carrying on the ceaseless struggle between athleticism and the effects of alcohol. This rather quixotic approach to sporting endeavour is expicable on the basis that in intervarsity sport, most of your opponents are going to be in a similar state, and there is a case Brian Coyle prepares to make his move, shortly before being held up over the Bective line. Photo: Jessica Pakenham-Money to be made that since your college career is probably going to contain a large amount of drinking anyway, you may as well do your best to balance it out with a bit of exercise. But the benefi t to your social life doesn’t stop after you trudge off these cobbles into what passes for the real world. Being able to play a sport opens doors for you in just the same way as an academic or vocational skill. In all cases, the ability is universal. This takes on special relevance for students, or those Bective held to lucky 13 just graduated, for whom travel is a deeply alluring prospect. Who’d want to be stuck in Ireland for another 60 years, after SCORE minutes, though; after three sloppy and they rallied to put Trinity under of horsing the ball into the air and all? offsides in a row from Trinity, Cathal considerable pressure, particularly in the THE TEAM letting the wind do its worst. Wallace Last summer, DUFC 13 Connolly levelled matters with a well- scrum. The students’ initial dominance carried one such effort over his own line, a friend of the BECTIVE RANGERS 13 struck effort from a similar range. was forgotten, and they spent far too A. Wallace and Trinity’s scrum, creaking like the Commentary Box No matter where you Wallace, lively throughout from full much time in their own half, only to be C. Jebb fl oorboards of a haunted house, leaked – let’s call him back, was at the centre of things for let off the hook on a couple of occasions, C. Colclough what could have been a penalty try, but Tyrone – managed want to go in the world, By James O’Donnell DUFC as they created a series of chances as Bective missed one penalty, conceded P. Gillespie in Dermot Moloney’s view was only a to avoid Thailand it’s handy to have some Rugby Correspondant in the opening half hour. First he played a another for a rouge elbow, and were C. Murphy penalty offence. Val Baynes lost no time AND San Diego, clever kick through on the right for Scott turned over in the Trinity 22 by Coyle. R. Brady in erasing the distinction, however; the and took himself off kind of talent in the back DR. JOHN Hegarty has been to his fair LaValla to chase, obliging to Bective Inspired, Trinity broke out: a planned E. Hamilton big No. 8 muscled his way over, and the to South America. share of games in College Park, but “never to run the ball out. From the resulting backine move off the lineout tore the T. Goodbody conversion made it 13 all. Near the end of his pocket, so as to make on a day as bad as this one”. The Provost lineout, the Trinity pack worked the maul Bective line to shreds. They scrambled, M. Murdoch Solid defensive work from Trinity travels, as he was life in foreign fi elds that was among the spectators clinging grimly with Munster-like effi ciency, resisting all but Coyle was there in support to dive over J. Gethings kept them in the game. Their captain led due to fly home to their umbrellas on Saturday as DUFC attempts to pull it down, but Brian Coyle and give Trinity a commanding 13-3 lead. P. Danahy by example; Young’s typically energetic from Buenos Aires bit easier shared the spoils of a hard-fought contest was held up at the fi nish. The two-score margain didn’t survive yet S. LaValla performance was marred only by the on a certain date, with Bective Rangers. Backchat from Bective gave Trinity another offside decision against Trinity, M. Cantrell occasional handling error going forward, he had to strike out The high winds, interpersed every another go; Wallace sailed through the but seven points was a reasonable S. Young (c) though he was also rather lucky to escape alone across the country for a few days to make it there. now and then with some rain to break the line but his attempted off-load from the cushion as the teams switched sides after B. Coyle. sanction for a hit on Connolly performed Cut to a village in the middle of Argentina, to the nearest monotony, were blowing crossfi eld from deck was too hasty and the chance was the briefest of rainsoaked huddles. with the ball out of sight and mind. approximation of the Middle of Nowhere. Tyrone has had to get the direction of the Ussher, and favoured lost. The kicking battles, a depressing Subs: His pack, now mud-coloured, pushed a taxi to take him back to Somewhere. He doesn’t have much Trinity in the fi rst half as they played It took another individual’s genius feature of life under the ELVs, raged on P. McCabe themselves hard, but they needed luck to Espanyol, and the driver doesn’t have much English. Eventually, towards the Science end. Richard Brady, to force the score. Eddie Hamilton’s inconclusively in the second half. Pat J. Byrne see the game out: three penalties came they manage to communicate a shard interest: they both love slotting in at out-half, made good use of tussle for the number 9 shirt with Bryan Danahy may not be a winger, as indicated C. McDonnell and went with no result for Bective, and rugby (Ulster and Argentina have that much, if nothing else, the advantage, pinning Bective back in Johnston got even more interesting as the in our last edition, but the American B. Johnson Connolly was desperately unlucky to see a in common). And, it slowly emerges, the local team are short their own half time and again. former Methody man, fresh from scoring certainly showed good pace in chasing A. Mathews drop-goal come off the upright late on. As a player for their grudge match against the neighbouring Right wing Chris Jebb had taken over the winning try at Dr. Hickey Park, down one seemingly fruitless effort Dr. Hegarty, rugby pundit extraordinaire, village… deadball duties, and it was he who opened sniped through the centre and emerged and winning a penalty fi ve metres out. put it, “Bective had everything going It should be said at this juncture that Tyrone’s some player, the scoring with a penalty after strong unscathed. A simple pass to Wallace in Incredibly, though, Jebb was confounded for them” towards the end – DUFC will and it must have been quite a sight to see a single white guy carries from James Gethings and Andy support gave Trinity a deserved 8-3 lead, by the wind and couldn’t extend the be satisfied with their point, and be tearing through the luckless opposition on some fi eld in the Wallace forced Bective into the mistake though Jebb couldn’t convert. lead. downright contented to see themselves middle of the South American equivilant of Ballydehob. You’d just outside the 22. Bective’s win over Lansdowne last It was a crucial miss, as the opposition bang in the middle of Division 2 as the wonder what the other team were thinking: the only gringo to Bective struck back within a few week showed them to be no slouches, unleased the simple but effective tactic AIL goes into recess for the next month. pass through these parts in years, and he can play outhalf. Just our luck. It’s a lovely little anecdote, and the point is not that if you’re decent at rugby in Argentina your teammates will do their best to get you laid after the game (although that happened as Sport breaks down well). It’s that sport Rifl e club fi nd their range barriers of culture, breaks down barriers of culture, language language and ethnicity. and ethnicity. Granted, it’s not By Eleanor Mollett In comparison, this year’s Irish 25yard a perfect aspect championships had its highest turnout of human affairs; in recent years, of 27 competitors. As an few things can survive our species’ remarkable capacity for DUBLIN UNIVERSITY Rifle Club added attraction, the accommodation is importing our prejudices into our pleasures. Even today, certain (DURC) is open again for shooting after in tents within the Bisley complex itself, sports are used to bolster class divisions and divide people, the summer. So far we have seen some so the ranges are a few minutes walk rather than unite them. The religious and social implications of very promising fi rst-time shooters, and away, rather than the usual hours drive. playing certain British sports (which are still disproportionately we would like to encourage anyone Unfortunately due to time constraints strong in this university), although nowhere near as big an issue interested, especially those who have DURC could not make it to the full as in the past, are still recognisable. The GAA is still secondarily never shot before, to come down and meeting, so only competed during the a political organisation, particularly in Northern Ireland. Going give it a go. Our noticeboard in front arch weekend, in the weekend aggregate, beyond these shores, the Olympic games have always and no provides information on how to fi nd us. and the 3 positions championships. doubt will be always used as another battleground in the exulted We offer both smallbore and air rifl e at The weekend aggregate comprises of 3 squabblings of nations. our range on campus every week night. matches over both 50 and 100 yards. However, it is readily apparent that even the most noble The fi rst match of this year’s air rifl e There were somewhat varying institutions can be corrupted by prolonged contact with season was held on Sunday 12th October conditions, ranging from windless and humanity; any of the myriad of unspeakable things done in the at Wilkinstown Target Shooting Club. perfect cloud cover on the fi rst day, to name of organised religion would suffi ce to prove that point. We did well considering many of our incredibly windy with intermittent rain The misuse of a sport is not, as it were, its own fault. It is people shooters were unable to practice over on the second day. The wind was bad that infect sport, not the other way around. the summer holidays, with Mike Dunne enough to rip one of our targets from its So when done properly, sport is one of the great levellers. coming second overall and fi rst in class holder, forcing the shooter to abandon the No matter where you want to go in the world, it’s handy to have B in the men’s match, Lorcan O’Carroll detail and fi nish the match later. Despite some kind of talent in the back pocket, so as to make life in coming second in class C in the men’s the sometimes diffi cult conditions, our foreign fi elds that bit easier. That’s probably a good incentive to match and Eleanor Mollett coming third shooters came away happy with their fi nish your degree and all that jazz, but going beyond the little in class B in the women’s match. performance, having won several patches detail of how to earn your living, having some ability in what Despite not managing to get in much and a small collection of medals. Plans one might call the extracurriculars is almost as important if training over the summer, club members are already underway to bring a larger you are to survive abroad. Musical talent, serious gambling or attended several matches, including contingent to the competition next year, establishing oneself as a reliable source for popular drugs are two trips to Britain. The fi rst was to the and to attempt the entire week’s events. all tried and tested ways of integrating, but sport is probably the British 50m championships at the Lord A small contingent also managed to one social pasttime that transcends all boundaries. Roberts Centre in Bisley. This was the make it down to Fermoy to shoot in their And that, perhaps, will provide some incentive to stick with fi rst match of this scale for the shooters 50m open. Conor McDermott took 3rd it, as autumn fades into the benign but unrelenting ordeal that who travelled over, and it suitably awed place with 570, and David Franklin took is the Irish winter. While this column has previously argued that them. Unfortunately no prizes were won, 8th place and fi rst in class D with 552. anyone can and should play sport, no matter what their ability but the team gained valuable knowledge With this promising summer season or fi tness level, it certainly helps to be able to stroll along to the as to the level required for international behind us, hopes for the year ahead are local club and mesmerise everyone with your ability. If in doubt, competition. very high. Our next major match will see stick to those countries that are the geopolitical equivilant of The second trip was again to Bisley, the senior squad heading over to Cardiff the fat kid with asthma that always gets picked last. India, say, this time for their annual meeting. This for the Welsh nationals. There are plenty or Mexico, where the locals all tend to be pretty small and just is a week long series of competitions, of smaller matches closer to home in the a little bit crap. Eleanor Mollett mainly held on the 200 yard section of the next few months however, in which we At this point, with the column descending into crude and shooting small- century range which has over 200 fi ring hope to see some of our newer shooters unrepentant racial stereotyping, it may be worth reiterating that bore at Bisley. points. The number of competitors to this taking part, and bringing back more submissions to the Commentary Box are welcome from anyone Photo: DURC meeting usually numbers around 900. trophies for the club. with an interest in sport in Trinity, or college sport in general. THE RIFLE CLUB THE BIG SET THEIR SIGHTS INTERVIEW ON GLORY WITH BIG JACK

The former Ireland manager talks foot- ball, gardening and the Pope

TRINITY NEWS SPORTTuesday, October 28, 2008 MATCH STATS

SCORE DUAFC 4 DCU 0

DATE 15 OCTOBER

VENUE COLLEGE PARK

REFEREE GREGORY MCGIBNEY

TEAM 1 NIALL O’CARROLL 2 MICHAEL STORAN 3 JOHNNY CUMMINS 4 CONOR MOLLOY 5 JOHN LAVELLE 6 LUKE GUERIN 7 NIALL WALSH 8 EVIN O’REILLY (C) Trinity captain Evin O’Reilly rises highest to head home a Chris Allen cross. Photo: Ger Dunne 9 CHRIS ALLEN 10 CIARAN LAWLOR 11 CORMAC RYAN

SUBSTITUTES DUAFC blitz northside rivals V. O’MAHONEY J. KENNEDY their search for an equalizer through their yards after a sublime piece of skill and Left full Johnny Cummins picked the Soccer boys come out with all guns blazing at pacy striker, Oliver Zamardi. However it cross by Lawlor on the right wing. ball up in his own half, delivered a ball up C. HYLAND wasn’t too long before DU doubled their Trinity were almost made to pay for the wing and after a Cormac Ryan dummy College Park as dominant performance is too advantage. DCU scrambled clear a corner their profl igacy in front of goal just before Allen found himself one on one with the F. MULLINS and the ball broke to Trinity’s full back the half time whistle as DCU swept up the keeper. The diminutive midfi elder kept M .SPELTZ much for hapless DCU side Michael Storan, 35 yards out from goal. pitch and a perfectly weighted cross was his head and selfl essly centered the ball He quickly steadied himself and fi red a delivered into the Trinity box. The crowd for Ryan to slot home into an empty net. MAN OF THE MATCH By Niall Walsh up the ball from the tip off and running speculative cross cum shot back into the breathed a sigh of relief when Zamardi Trinity could have gone on to score straight at the DCU defence. This set the area. completely scuffed his header when two or three more, with substitute CHRIS ALLEN tone for a fi rst half that would see DCU To his delight the ball curled over he should have at the very least hit the O’Mahony in particular terrifying the DUAFC BEGAN their Colleges and pinned back in their own half for large stranded goalkeeper Ronan McGann and target. tired DCU defence with his electric pace. The Trinity midfi elder reveled in Universities League campaign with a periods. into the top left hand corner for his fi rst After the break DCU came out with all In the end, though, the college can be the free role given him to him game against DCU in College Park last It wasn’t long until Trinity found the goal of the season. The DCU midfi eld guns blazing, intent to show that Trinity delighted with their start to this year’s today and the DCU defenders Wednesday afternoon. This season breakthrough they were looking for. Chris were fi nding it diffi cult to contain their weren’t the only team in this game. campaign. Manager Cumiskey called it will be having nightmares about Trinity have been placed in the Premier Allen, on ten minutes, won a free kick Trinity counterparts, with the midfi eld Trinity weathered this early onslaught the best performance he had seen from him for weeks to come. Playing at Division East A, in a group consisting of on the left side of the box. As the DCU diamond of O’Reilly, Allen, Guerin and however, with centrebacks Conor Molloy a Dublin University team for “years” and the top of a midfi eld diamond it DCU, DIT and Colaiste Ide. defence attempted to organize themselves Ryan bossing the centre of the park. and Hyland determined to keep a clean long may their current vein of good form seemed that Allen was involved The two top placed teams in this group Allen himself curled in a pinpoint cross On the half hour mark the home side sheet. Goalkeeper Niall O’Carroll was continue. in almost every Trinity attack. His will then playoff against the top two from which Evin O’Reilly headed superbly into were three to the good. Another slick rarely tested but routinely managed to close control and vision split the the Premier Division East B for the chance the top right hand corner of the net. passing move ended in Evin O’Reilly give his team breathing space with some DUAFC followed this win with a DCU defence open time and to play in the quarter fi nals. Judging on Trinity then had to reshuffl e their back playing in Niall Walsh with a clever massive clearances. 1-1 draw away to Colaiste Ide. The time again and the only nega- their performance in their opening game, line midway into the half as centre back through ball. The Trinity striker beat Manager Jimmy Cumiskey soon fi nal game of the group will take place tive was that he couldn’t cap his Trinity’s footballers will be confi dent they John Lavelle went down with a hamstring his man with a quick turn of pace before introduced some fresh legs in the form of on November 5th, with Trinity facing performance off with a goal. A can progress to the business end of the strain. He was replaced by Colin Hyland, coolly slotting the ball under the legs of striker Vinny O’Mahoney and midfi elder off against DIT. They will need to class act though and a key player competition. himself just back from injury. the onrushing goalkeeper. Walsh should Joe Kennedy and it was not too long maintain their unbeaten record in the for Trinity this season. Trinity signaled their intent from the Hyland had to get up to the quick tempo have put the game to bed moments later, before Trinity put together the move of competition to be sure of qualifi cation outset with midfi elder Chris Allen picking of the game straight away as DCU focused missing a gilt edged chance from fi ve the game to kill the tie off. - kick-off in College Park is at 2pm. HOCKEY Men’s team at the wrong end of thrilling contest

SCORE Trinity, complimented by another lively to be going to plan. Another passing hand was still stinging from gloving away hand. It was left to substitute Andrew their cool, and when Coady joined the display by Andy Gray in midfi eld. The two move saw Cinnamond set up Gray for a another Skerries chance, Trinity had Beverland to level matters, turning in a back-chat brigade the umpire awarded DUHC 4 combined to win an early short corner — chance he was unlucky to miss, and while taken the lead: Glavey’s long free in was direct ball in from the ever-reliable Brian a short corner, which was duly tucked SKERRIES 7 Pelow’s howls of rage at the umpire’s Skerries had admirable individual skills improbably defl ected into the net by Orr. Cleere. away by Alan Early for 4-6. Their rhythm initial hesitation possibly a factor — but they were unable to replicate Trinity’s No sooner had the cheers died down than Once again the celebrations were cut and composure completely shot, Trinity Glavey failed to fi nd the target, leaving team passing tactics. Skerries had equalised, Ali McMahon short; Glavey uncharacteristically lost crumbled: Hewitt was the culprit this By Conor James McKinney rumours of a spectacular celebratory They could, however, shut them down: pulling off a sublime reverse stick fi nish possession in midfi eld, and a chronically time as McMahon grabbed his fourth of College Sport Editor routine unconfi rmed. Skerries, for their the paradigm began to shift around the despite the attentions of Coady. A short undermanned defence was breached with the day. There’s a lot for Pelow & co. to part, had a couple of chances down Ian twenty minute mark. Aengus Stanley was corner for wayward Trinity feet followed, criminal ease. “Remember we’re f**king work on, then, ahead of intervarsities in THE MEN’S First XI at least went out Gorman’s wing, and another from a caught in possession and allowed Skerries and this went straight in to make it 2-3. defenders” was the cry from a chastened Kilkenny this week. with a bang against Skerries, with one series of free strokes through the middle, a toehold in the Trinity half. Jolley saved Slightly shell-shocked, Trinity stumbled back four. of the most spectacular implosions ever but the centre backs were, for the time the resulting chance, and got down towards halftime and had the good Trinity pushed, and despite Glavey seen at Santry. Despite the scoreline, this being, solid. twice to block a short corner effort, but fortune to see one of the northsiders sent looking tired enjoyed most of the THE TEAM was a match that DUHC really, really It was left to Trinity to start the conceded a penalty stoke while using the to the bin for a nasty trip. possession and territory for a time. A. Jolley, B. Cleere, D. Coady, A. should have won. goalfest, then: Gray mugged his opponent back of his stick in the midst of another Trinity took advantage in the early Skerries continued to look dangerous on Stanley, I. Gorman, B. Hewitt, B. Captain Jonny Orr, speaking before and passed forward for Cinnamond, who set of heroics. Remarkably, he kept out stages of the second half, creating a couple the break, but conceded yet again as a long- Glavey, A. Gray , J. Orr (c), S. Cinna- the game, had no doubts that Skerries played for the short corner again, and the penalty as well, so it was something of opportunities which they were unable range Gorman effort came off Beverland mond, C. Tyrrell. would be a tougher sell than Navan the got it. Glavey passed the conch this time of a sucker punch when Stanley again to convert; Hewitt took the ball away and trickled in. At 4-4, it looked all to play week before, and this prediction was around: a neat lay-off to Daire Coady coughed up possession and Skerries kept from Gray’s open side in the circle to miss for, but the defensive frailties hadn’t been Subs: N. Odlum, H. Butler, A. Bever- borne out in an evenly balanced opening allowed the defender to make it 1-0. their composure to equalise. one clear chance, and Coady could not resolved. Skerries came straight back and land, T. Humphries, S. McKechnie. period. Stuart Cinnamond’s pace up With Trinity starting to take a It was a mark of what an end-to-end fi nd the net after a Glavey short corner pulled ahead once more, McMahon’s shot front was the main source of joy for stranglehold on the game, it all seemed game it had become that, while Jolley’s had rebounded off a luckless defender’s looping over Jolley. Orr and Glavey lost