The seventh and final TCDSU Council of the academic year had an ambitious agenda, with 18 motions and over 25 elections.
Council commenced in celebratory spirit with Education Officer Eoghan Gilroy presenting the Class Rep of the Year award to the integrated computer science representative Keelin O’Byrne.
László Molnárfi was presented an Honourary Membership of the students’ union by Jenny Maguire “to give thanks to his contributions to the Union”. Further Honourary Memberships were presented by Eoghan Gilroy, Hamza Bana and Pádraig Mac Brádaigh to Siobhán Dunne, Toto Daly and Áine Ní Shúilleabháin respectively.
Goodbyes were given by each of the Sabbatical Officers as part of their reports as they reflected on their year’s work. For President Jenny Maguire, progress on period poverty, the rent freeze and the doubling of Irish language funding stood out as highlights. “I told myself the only thing I needed to worry about was being Jenny Maguire, and I think I did that,” Maguire commented.
“Jenny Maguire, you are, without a doubt, my hero,” Education Officer Eoghan Gilroy said while expressing his appreciation and admiration for his fellow Sabbatical Officers. Welfare Officer Hamza Bana also praised his fellow Sabbatical Officers, and declared that this year is “the best year that Trinity Ents has done.”
Ents Officer Peadar Walsh in turn praised the role of student journalism in his final words to Council. “The way that Trinity News and University Times have held people accountable in this Union … is something I really admire.” Beth Strahan reflecting on her year as Communications Officer said that “I have absolutely adored this job, I’m so proud of what we’ve done”.
Pádraig Mac Brádaigh, Oifigeach na Gaeilge, expressed pride for his term spent “fighting for Irish as a civil right” and encouraged students to use their “cúpla focal” where they can, asserting that “Irish is a normal and an everyday part of life.” He gave credit to Beth Strahan for ensuring that all communication and media content from the Union was provided in Irish.
The elections held included elections for Electoral Commission, Oversight Commission, Faculty Convenors, Joint Honours Convenor, Part-time Officers, Undergraduate Studies Committees Representative and TCD Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Chairperson.
Elections took place by online vote, following a 45 second pitch by each candidate.
Council encountered technical difficulties with the online voting system, causing unexpected delays to the election process. A working link was eventually sent to Union members to allow them to vote.
Bailey Armstrong was the sole candidate for Chair of Council and was deemed elected. In the bid for Secretary to Council, Aaron Groome, a three year veteran of the Oversight Committee, emerged victorious.
Elections of the Faculty Convenors saw the incumbent Giulia Villa win the position for Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Eve Martin won the position for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and Grace McNally for Health Sciences.
The Part-time Officer (PTO) elections saw many candidates run for a total of 17 positions.
Of these elections, Council saw the first election for the newly established Commuting Students’ Officer. The position was created as part of President-Elect Seán Thim O’Leary’s campaign promises. Of the two nominees, Pól Ó hÍomhair was deemed elected.
With 15 minutes remaining, a procedural motion was taken by Eoghan Gilroy to diverge from the running order and prioritise the election of the BDS chair and the motion to appoint a BDS secretary, stating that it was “significantly more important than the election of a Union Archivist”. Harry Johnston was the only candidate nominated, and was elected BDS Chairperson.
Education Officer Eoghan Gilroy, speaking in favour of a Motion to Formalise Postgraduate Representation within the Union, commented that the motion was to “ensure postgrands actually have a voice in our union”.
This motion ultimately passed, meaning that next semester will see a referendum held on the introduction of a Postgraduate Faculty Convenors and a Graduate Sabbatical Officer. This development is part of wider ambition to integrate postgraduate students into the Union.
The next motion also involved a constitutional change—to clarify the responsibilities of the Editor of the University Times. The proposed amendment would require the Editor to present a report to council. It would also allow for the Editor to be impeached.
These changes would be subject to referendum and aim to increase oversight into the work of the Editor. Eoghan Gilroy, speaking for the motion, argued that there is “very little accountability of what the Editor does on a day to day basis” considering that the publication receives thousands of euros of Union funding per year.
James Carey, elected Citizenship Officer, spoke against the motion, arguing that “impeachment is not the answer” and that the University Times “should be able to criticise the Union without fearing what may happen in Council.” Carey highlighted the threat to journalistic integrity that this amendment may pose.
President Jenny Maguire replied that “we are having this discussion after consistent years of interesting leadership.” Maguire also argued that The University Times had previously failed in its engagement with its readership.
The motion ultimately carried. A referendum relating to the responsibilities of the Editor, as well as one for postgraduate representation, will be held within the first four weeks of the upcoming Michaelmas term.
The final motion of Council approved the creation of a dedicated Movember subcommittee within the Trinity Ents committee.
Among the motions not covered was a motion for €12,000 of the Higher Education Authority fund to be dedicated to creating a Health Science Placement fund. SUSI currently does not provide subsidies for many of the additional costs students encounter during their Health Sciences Placement including travel costs and personal protective equipment, which this proposed Health Science Fund wishes to assist students with.
Also not covered was a motion proposing that pressure be placed on College and the Health Centre “to ensure that students on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) have the same access to blood tests for checking hormone levels that students not on HRT have.”
These motions will be added to the agenda of the first Council of the 2025/26 academic year.
Council wrapped up at 9:30 pm, following three and a half hours of reports, motions and elections.
