<div dir="ltr"><h1 class="">#LeadTCD: Irish Language Hustings <small class="">Shane Rice gives us the lowdown on last night's Irish Language Hustings.</small></h1>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Shane Rice | </strong><em>Staff Writer</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">This evening saw the second annual “Toghchánaíocht”
(Hustings) organised by An Cumann Gaelach and TCDSU. The event offers
candidates in The Leadership Race a chance to speak about how they will
offer support to the Irish language over the course of their term in
office. Each candidate was given two minutes to speak, in Irish or in
English, about their policies. Reachtaire of An Cumann Gaelach, Fionn Ó
Deá, then posed a question to the candidates, each was then given time
to answer before the floor was opened to questions from the audience.
The main theme was the improvement of relations between An Cumann
Gaelach and the SU.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em><strong>President:</strong></em></p>
<p dir="ltr">
</p><p dir="ltr">Conor O’Meara was first to speak, doing so through the
medium of Irish. He gave a rundown on what he would hope to achieve if
elected. He explained his intentions of working with Daft.ie in setting
up an accommodation database, which would simplify the process of
accommodation hunting for Trinity students. He would also endeavour to
establish a jobs list which would inform students of jobs available in
college. With regards to the Irish Language O’Meara says it would be a
policy of his to have a sabbatical attend meetings of An Cumann
Gaelach’s committee on a monthly basis as well as having the SU email
available in Irish every week. He would also hope to continue
cooperation with An Cumann Gaelach in the organisation of Éigse na
Tríonóide.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Gabriel Adewusi was next to speak, beginning in Irish he
comically remarked “An bhfuil cead agam dul go dtí an leithris?” He then
continued in English, saying that despite his own limited ability to
converse in Irish, he is a firm believer in the “Tír gan teanga, tír gan
anam” adage. He believes that the Irish language is a big part of
college life and that it should be fostered and encouraged. He would
hope to do this by lobbying for more weight to be put on modules which
include Irish as broad curriculum subjects. He also highlighted his
desire to make the SU more open and accessible.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Lynn Ruane, with her daughter by her side, was next up to
have her say. She spoke in English, explaining that although she never
had the chance to learn Irish this has driven her to ensure that her
children don’t miss out on the opportunity to do so and she has sent
them to Gaelscoileanna in order to afford them this chance. Her daughter
then spoke on her behalf in Irish. Lynn told of how she had been
offered the chance, through the Trinity Access Programme, to learn Irish
but hadn’t availed of it. She said that her main policies are
“inclusion, equality and access” and that language is included under all
those headings.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Nessan Harpur was last to speak, speaking solely in Irish.
He emphasised his desire to encourage the use of Irish in college and to
introduce international students to the language in the hope that they
then take the language and culture with them when they return after
their studies. He would also strive towards further cooperation between
the SU and An Cumann Gaelach.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Fionn asked a question about the SU’s Irish Language
policy, O’Meara said he would establish a working group on the issue of
implementing one, Adewusi said that he would consult with the relevant
parties while Harpur emphasised the importance of the promotion of Irish
among international students and Ruane would like to see the review of
previous policies regarding the language. This issue was however
resolved as the candidates and Fionn were informed that the SU does in
fact have a policy on the language in its reviewed constitution, which
is still to be published.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em><strong>Education:</strong></em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.universitytimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/DSC_5376.jpg"><img class="" alt="DSC_5376" src="http://www.universitytimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/DSC_5376.jpg" height="678" width="1024"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr">Next to speak was the education candidate Molly Kenny, who
runs unopposed. Kenny explained the three main areas she would focus on
regarding the Irish language, those being; the introduction of Irish as a
language option for European Studies, the translation of the SU’s
weekly email and the expansion of the current broad curriculum Irish
modules. She said that as Education Officer her interaction with the
language would be limited as the education officer often deals in case
work. She also commented that the resources of Oifig na Gaeilge and
other organisations in the provision of Irish language classes are
limited and she would hope to try and help change this.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em><strong>Welfare:</strong></em></p>
<p dir="ltr">Conor Clancy began the welfare discussion. Speaking in
Irish, he said that his experience in the area of welfare would help him
in the role. He said that he would like to improve the services
currently available to students. He also supported the provision of more
services through Irish in the college.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Liam Mulligan then spoke, through Irish, about his wish to
increase the presence of the SU outside of House 6. He would hope to
have An Cumann Gaelach more involved in welfare-run events such as SHIFT
week and Mental Health Week and to have the timetable published in
Irish.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Louise O’Toole put emphasis on the need for further
cooperation between An Cumann Gaelach and TCDSU in promoting positive
health. She also highlighted the need for more provision of SU services
in Irish.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Muireann Montague emphasised her interest in the Irish
language and her hope to have policies published in Irish on the TCDSU
website. She would also hope to strengthen links between An Cumann
Gaelach and the SU, using a ‘géilí’, a ‘gay céilí’, as an example.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Aoife O’Brien decided on using English in order to avoid
“butchering” the language. She pledged her support for Éigse events and
to having welfare campaigns in both Irish and English.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Fionn posed a question asking how the Welfare officer could
assist people coming from Irish language backgrounds. Clancy believed
that having online welfare resources available through Irish would be a
way to do this. Liam Mulligan thought that closer work with An Cumann
Gaelach would increase the visibility of the Welfare Officer. Louise
O’Toole suggested that mentoring through Irish could help a person in
this situation. Muireann Montague was of the opinion that more “little
things”, such as more bi-lingual signage, would be an assistance to
these people. Aoife O’Brien told of how she had previously encountered a
person who was transitioning from learning completely through Irish to
learning completely through English, she believes that a bigger Irish
presence throughout Fesher’s Week would assist people from Irish
language backgrounds.</p>
<p dir="ltr">A question about the Student Counselling Service and the
lack of ability to make appointments online was then raised. Conor
Clancy argued that this ensured greater attendance at appointments as he
believes that a phone call offers more guarantee than an email. Liam
Mulligan admitted his frustration with the system, saying that many
students are often too nervous to call up to book an appointment. Aoife
O’Brien argued that it can often be daunting to go in in person or to
call for an appointment and that because the system has the potential to
be abused doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be tried. Louise O’Toole suggested
that a phone call as a follow-up to an email could be an option.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em><strong>Communications and Marketing:</strong></em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.universitytimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/DSC_5442.jpg"><img class="" alt="DSC_5442" src="http://www.universitytimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/DSC_5442.jpg" height="678" width="1024"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr">Jemma O’Leary began the Communications and Marketing
section of the night. Through Irish she pledged her commitment to
improving the SU website and to beginning a blog which could feature
Irish language posts. She also highlighter her intention to produce a
video with a round-up of council proceeding, saying that this could also
be made available through Irish. She also believes that information
about the services offered by Oifig na Gaeilge should be made available
in the Fresher’s Packs.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.universitytimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/DSC_5427.jpg"><img class="" alt="DSC_5427" src="http://www.universitytimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/DSC_5427.jpg" height="678" width="1024"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr">Aifric Ni Chriodain began by admitting that she was never a
big fan of the Irish language show “Aifric”, she continued by listing
her experience in the areas of marketing and graphics with organisations
such as GBK and Shoutout. She then said that she would like to have the
SU facebook in Irish during weeks such as Éigse na Tríonóide.</p>
<p dir="ltr">When questioned about the translation of the SU’s weekly
email to Irish, both candidates offered different opinions on how they
believe this should be done. O’Leary said that she would work with the
part-time officer for the Irish Language and others in the improvement
of the service, saying that it could be a possibility to have the Irish
language version at the end of the English language version. Aifric
disagreed with this saying that the email would then be too long.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em><strong>Editor of UT:</strong></em></p>
<p dir="ltr">Next up was the uncontested candidate for the new position
of independent editor of University Times, Edmund Heaphy. Heaphy pledged
to have more Irish language content in the publication. He said that
his new section ‘Radius’, which would feature society events, would be
able to publicise events organised by An Cumann Gaelach. He also would
like to publish one edition of the UT supplement completely through the
Irish language.</p>
<p dir="ltr">When asked about the re-occurring problem of the
responsibility for Irish language reportage falling on one person alone,
Heaphy said that this was a common problem with UT and that he would
like to explore the possibility of expanding teams to alleviate this
problem. He was then asked if he would promise to create the position of
Irish Language editor within the next year, Heaphy committed himself to
doing so.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em><strong>Ents:</strong></em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.universitytimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/DSC_5467.jpg"><img class="" alt="DSC_5467" src="http://www.universitytimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/DSC_5467.jpg" height="678" width="1024"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr">Katie Cogan began the ents conversation with the old
proverb “Is fear Gaeilge bhriste ná Béarla cliste”, before explaining
the origins of her accent and continuing in English. She emphasised her
wish to increase diversity and that promoting interest in culture was a
way to do so. She also believes that the Ents Officer should support and
provide resources for An Cumann Gaelach.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.universitytimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/DSC_5479.jpg"><img class="" alt="DSC_5479" src="http://www.universitytimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/DSC_5479.jpg" height="678" width="1024"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr">David Gray, through Irish, highlighted the need for
cooperation between the Ents Officer and An Cumann Gaelach. He says that
in the position he could offer support the society for events such as
their mystery tour, having supported them during Seachtain na hÉigse
with their even Club na hÉigse.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.universitytimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/DSC_5481.jpg"><img class="" alt="DSC_5481" src="http://www.universitytimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/DSC_5481.jpg" height="678" width="1024"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr">Conor Parle spoke through Irish about his involvement with
the Trinity Film Festival and how he would hope to introduce three new
festivals if elected to the position, those being a comedy festival, a
literature festival and a drama festival. He would also endeavour to
organise an event each week with a different society.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Fionn Ó Deá asked why the candidates thought that the Ents
officer had never approached An Cumann Gaelach in relation to event
organisation. Katie Cogan said that An Cumann Gaelach was a society
which “commands respect” and “represents meaning”. She would like to
organise events which offer a “flashback to the Gaeltacht”. David Gray
said that Ents has often been closed off in the past and he would hope
to diversify Fresher’s Week and that there is scope to include An Cumann
Gaelach in Fresher’s Week events. Conor Parle explained that he didn’t
know why the society had never been approached but pledged to support it
if elected. He says that An Cumann Gaelach has a big role in the life
of the college and he would hope to improve the connection between Ents
and the society.</p>
<p dir="ltr">All candidates agreed that events organised by An Cumann
Gaelach need to be publicised and that Ents has the ability to do this
through social media and the weekly SU email.</p><p dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.universitytimes.ie/?p=32830">http://www.universitytimes.ie/?p=32830</a><br></p><p dir="ltr"><br></p><br clear="all"><br>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature">**************************************<br>N.b.: Listing on the lgpolicy-list is merely intended as a service to its members<br>and implies neither approval, confirmation nor agreement by the owner or sponsor of the list as to the veracity of a message's contents. Members who disagree with a message are encouraged to post a rebuttal, and to write directly to the original sender of any offensive message. A copy of this may be forwarded to this list as well. (H. Schiffman, Moderator)<br><br>For more information about the lgpolicy-list, go to <a href="https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/">https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/</a><br>listinfo/lgpolicy-list<br>*******************************************</div>
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