Already members of the Cumann have spoken at two house debates earlier on this year on the government and patriotism in the country, and this was another opportunity for the Cumann to get their points across in a lively and passionate debate that was addressed by many of the executive officers of the Student’s Union as well as prominent members of the Law Society committee, and a movement set up to fight fees in the college; Free Education for Everyone (F.E..E).
Debaters spoke on the problems facing the government in an economic recession, but the Opposition were in agreement with the majority of the crowd when they said that bringing back fees would not be a good solution to the current poor economic situation. Current UCD Student's Union Exec Officers Aodhan O'Dea (President), Paul Lynam (Education), and Dan O'Neill (Campaigns and Communications) all spoke about the problems that bringing in fees, upping the registration fee, or introducing a graduate tax would bring to the majority of students studying in UCD and right across Ireland. Recruitment Officer for An Cumann McDonagh/Farrell Ciarán FitzGerald also warned of the problems that bringing back fees would bring, and called on students to back the demonstrations being organised to fight fees. The house voted almost unanimously to reject any initiative designed to re introduce fees, a clear indication that this is an issue that can and will promote student activism. All were in agreement that those who spoke against fees made the better argument, and a message was delivered to the government and leaders of UCD that they have a fight on their hands if they want to bring fees back in.
Cathaoirleach of an Cumann McDonagh/Farell UCD Mick Reynolds said "It was great to have a coherent debate about fees organised by the Law Society, and I think the people who spoke against Fees today showed that our argument is the only one that stands up to scrutiny. Hopefully this will galvanise people resolve and ensure that the fight against Fees succeeds."
Debaters spoke on the problems facing the government in an economic recession, but the Opposition were in agreement with the majority of the crowd when they said that bringing back fees would not be a good solution to the current poor economic situation. Current UCD Student's Union Exec Officers Aodhan O'Dea (President), Paul Lynam (Education), and Dan O'Neill (Campaigns and Communications) all spoke about the problems that bringing in fees, upping the registration fee, or introducing a graduate tax would bring to the majority of students studying in UCD and right across Ireland. Recruitment Officer for An Cumann McDonagh/Farrell Ciarán FitzGerald also warned of the problems that bringing back fees would bring, and called on students to back the demonstrations being organised to fight fees. The house voted almost unanimously to reject any initiative designed to re introduce fees, a clear indication that this is an issue that can and will promote student activism. All were in agreement that those who spoke against fees made the better argument, and a message was delivered to the government and leaders of UCD that they have a fight on their hands if they want to bring fees back in.
Cathaoirleach of an Cumann McDonagh/Farell UCD Mick Reynolds said "It was great to have a coherent debate about fees organised by the Law Society, and I think the people who spoke against Fees today showed that our argument is the only one that stands up to scrutiny. Hopefully this will galvanise people resolve and ensure that the fight against Fees succeeds."
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