At 6pm on Wednesday, February 25th, the Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU/AMLCT) media hustings were held in the Edmund Burke Theatre. After a welcome by the Editors of the student newspapers, Aoibhínn Clancy from Trinity News (TN) and Charlie Hastings from the University Times (UT), the format of the hustings was introduced. Each candidate would be given a general question followed by one individual question. Questions then began in reverse constitutional order with Harper Alderson, candidate for UT Editor.
Alderson was asked by Clancy to what extent she would clarify certain aspects of the UT Editor role in the TCDSU constitution. Alderson answered that she believes the “constitution is pretty clear”. Emphasising the independence of the University Times from the union, she said she “famously” does not believe that “impeachment works”. Yet, she said, as she would not be able to “bring anything to Comhairle”, she would not be able to make any changes.
She was then asked how she would balance running all sections of the UT, including the main paper, Radius and the new magazine, Corca, as well as her plans to start implementing biweekly and eventually weekly papers. Saying that she believes “we can fit them all in the broadsheet”, Alderson emphasised the importance of the proposed layout team, which, she says, is her “number one priority over the summer”.
Next, candidates for the Graduate Officer took the stage. Both were asked what characteristics they believe the newly implemented role should have, particularly in terms of mandates, union policy, and intended achievements. Ava Tuohy, one of the candidates, said that she hopes “to establish the role as one that’s very engaged and very active for postgrads”, mentioning “big issues with postgraduate facilities on campus”. She said that she is hoping to incorporate postgraduate students’ voices heavily once elected.
Féith Ní Chléirigh responded briefly to the same question in Irish, emphasising that they were disappointed by the lack of Irish language speakers in the audience. They did not respond further to the question within the allocated minute.
Next, Hastings directed an individual question toward Tuohy, asking how she believes her “fresh perspective” would be beneficial to the role. Tuohy responded, saying that this is the first time she is getting involved in the union; however, she believes that due to her personal experience as a postgraduate Trinity student, she has “a lot of good ideas and new ideas for postgrads”.
When asked how she plans to foster communication between undergraduate students and postgraduate students at Trinity, Ní Chléirigh responded with an Irish phrase, saying they would do so with “many lovely stories”. Ní Chléirigh was then offered the question in Irish, which they refused in order to “be accessible to everyone at the moment”. They said that the lack of Irish speakers in the audience presented a “very difficult situation”. They further emphasised that “the shopkeepers in the SU shop don’t speak Irish”.
Next, the candidates for Irish Language Officer took the stage. When asked how she would ensure that Irish language spaces would be accessible and fair to Irish speakers and Irish learners, Mary Kate Ní Artáin said that she would cooperate with student societies to “adhere to the society and to the different levels of Irish”.
Hugh Ó Ríordáin was then asked how he would ensure that STEM students have better access to the Irish language on campus. He responded by highlighting the current inaccessibility of Irish language spaces on campus, such as the Seomra na Gaeilge, near the Arts Block, which he said is currently inaccessible for wheelchair users.
Both candidates were then asked what practical steps they would take to widen participation beyond students already involved in Irish language spaces, given that the Gaeilge race is typically met with lower engagement. Ó Ríordáin emphasised the importance of accessibility for all students, regardless of their Irish level. Ní Artáin responded, saying that, having spoken to Irish speakers on campus, she has embraced the idea of implementing Irish in a “fun context”, such as ordering in Irish at the Pav or the Perch for a discount.
The candidates for the Communications and Marketing Officer took the stage next. First, all candidates were asked how they would handle a situation in which an officer‘s comments or actions could result in reputational concerns for the Union. Promise Okafor answered, saying that her first priority would be to “talk to the students to see how they have been affected by what has been said or done”. Further, she emphasised a close cooperation with the TCDSU bodies, such as the Electoral Commission, and to “maintain open communication to see what could be solved”. Alice Moran responded, saying that she would convene with the officer in question, as well as the Welfare Officer, to “create communication”. Highlighting the “external brand the union has”, she assured she would “of course release a statement” to the college community. Finally, Kurt said that a situation like this is a “team effort”, and that a singular officer is not responsible for “representing the entire TCDSU”. Taking into account to what extent the particular action represents the union‘s values, he would “release a statement immediately”, and that this would be a “decision made not just by myself as the Communications Officer”, but rather on behalf of the union as a whole.
Okafor’s individual question followed the round of general questions. When asked how she would reach Junior Fresh students outside of Trinity Halls, Okafor highlighted the importance of being particularly present in Freshers’ Week. Moreover, she emphasised the importance of social media in engaging a larger number of Junior Fresh students.
Kurt was then asked about his previously expressed vision to “put [his] little spin on comms videos, all while making jibes at the corporate sponsors”, and the potential of risking the relationship with external sponsors. Referring to partnerships with KPMG and Deloitte, he said that he does not seek to “run a campaign that targets large corporate donors”. Highlighting a movement away from “the corporate career path”, he assured that he does not see a potential risk for union partnership.
Moran was then asked about her recent claim of having deleted Instagram, and how this would fit with her position as Communications and Marketing Officer. Laughing, she responded that she has already re-downloaded the app, saying “I‘m back”. She then highlighted the Officer‘s responsibility to maintain the TCDSU website in order to ensure reachability for students not on social media. The website, according to Moran, is “ready to go” when it comes to engaging students.
The candidates for Entertainments Officer then took the stage. Both candidates were asked by Clancy which institutional reforms they would implement if elected, to improve the structural strength of the role in the future. Finn Hallwood responded first, pointing to his key campaign promise to organise more charity events. Given this, he emphasised that he would “enforce that structure in the Ents committee”. Danila Kitaev responded to the same question, saying that there is a lack of accessible information for the Entertainments Officer regarding who to contact in different scenarios.
Both candidates were then asked individual questions. When asked about his plans to ensure that all attendees at Ents events have completed his proposed Active Consent online module, Hallwood responded that this would be implemented for ticketed events. Students would receive a certificate upon completion of the online module that they would have to present upon entry to any event. Kitaev was then asked how he would gauge student interest in different events, given his claims that he felt like students did not enjoy club nights as much recently. He responded by explaining that he would implement a “feedback forum” for students to express feedback and requests. Moreover, he said he would collaborate with student societies, and keep a close eye on how different events are received by students.
The candidates in the Welfare and Equality race were up next. Rossa Bolger and Lorenzo Cheasty were both asked about their potential plans to lobby for amendments to the Dignity, Respect and Consent service, as well as how they plan to support victims of sexual assault on campus, given that both candidates included this in their manifestos. Bolger responded first, saying that he believes that sexual harassment is “a massive problem across all campuses”. Claiming that there are currently only two members of staff who tend to long-term cases, he emphasised the importance of additional funding for the service and of “supporting [victims] who want to seek justice on campus”. Cheasty responded to the question saying “I believe there needs to be both”. Referencing a recent sexual assault case at University College Dublin (UCD), he said that “we need to strengthen and reinforce the personal supports” and “handle [sexual assault campaigns] with more warmth and empathy”.
The candidates were then each asked an individual question. Bolger was asked about previous candidates‘ plans to reintroduce drink covers and PH testing strips at the Pavilion Bar, and his own plans for implementing the same. Emphasising that this “is really, really important“, he responded saying that the union has the budget for it, and that “even if the drink covers are not used, it sends a message of what we as a college society expect as behaviour”. Cheasty responded to a question about his motivations to run for Welfare and Equality Officer, given his candidacy in the presidential by-election in November. He responded, saying that upon reflection, he believes he is “a better fit for Welfare and Equality”. Reiterating his passion for “helping people personally”, he said that he wants to “improve and provide welfare supports”.
The Education Officer candidates then took the stage. Both were asked if they believe that the recent modular billing measures could be feasibly implemented as standard policy by the end of their terms if elected. Brooks stated that he was “hopeful it will become standard policy by the end of my term” and “cannot see any reason it won’t be implemented,” further noting “it’s a common sense policy”. Martin said that she believes it is “feasible” and something College is “very on board with”.
Brooks was then questioned on the potential difficulty in coordinating a centralised Erasmus database with partner universities if he is elected. He responded that though the “end goal is a centralised system”, he recognises it would be “very difficult to do”. However, he stated that “a minimum of what we should expect is up-to-date information on school websites” as “nearly every school website is outdated with Erasmus information”, adding, “schools clearly can’t handle this themselves”.
Martin was asked how she would, if elected, engage STEM students, who traditionally have lower levels of union participation. She stressed being “visible” in STEM spaces through weekly office hours and running open forums and town halls in locations easily accessible for STEM students. She emphasised “meeting students where they are” by “understanding different issues that limit student engagement”.
The five TCDSU President candidates took to the stage last to close out the Media Hustings. All five candidates were asked a general question regarding their manifesto promises and which of them they can fulfil within the first one hundred days of their presidency and, if they were unable to meet this deadline, would they resign. Jonathan Hoffman was first to answer, stating that “there are some easy things”, to implement first. Hoffman specifically cited his desire to create his “SU Assembly” and “SU Executive” position firsthand, as well as create his new “TCD Media” service. Hoffman hoped to accomplish these things “before the year has actually begun”, however, Hoffman did not state that he would resign if these policies weren’t implemented.
While Hoffman failed to elaborate on what his one hundred day promises were, he did state that he would resign should he fail to meet the “easy things”. Cathal Horgan reiterated his proposal of a 50 cent breakfast, promising to implement this policy by “day one” of his term. Horgan further stated that “impeach away”, later in his answer if this was not done. In addition to the 50 cent breakfast promise, Horgan wants to increase the amount of “kettles and microwaves” across campus as they “really don’t cost a lot of money and really benefit students”. Amy Kennedy promised engagement stalls around campus and St James’; additionally Kennedy stated “we need to get those out to people as soon as they’re in college [anti-racism, consent and active bystander training]”. Grace McNally was next, first speaking about “having a Freshers’ Fair available in St James’”. McNally also emphasised her progress in getting an SU cafe back in St James’s Hospital campus. Tadgh Ó Néil was the last candidate to be asked the general question. He emphasised his desire to create a good culture in the TCDSU. Additionally, Ó Néil wants a “communal breakfast club” by the first day of term one. Failing to achieve the day one “communal breakfast club” Ó Néil stated he would “resign on spot”.
Despite all the candidates taking the question’s opportunity to highlight the first measures they would implement if elected President, no candidate except Horgan and Ó Néil answered the question by stating whether or not they would resign if their policies were not implemented.
Hoffman was then questioned on his statement that there should be a “member-centric” internal accountability measure within the union, given that Trinity students are all members of the union by default. He was asked if he was aware of this fact and if he thought all students should be TCDSU members in the first place. Hoffman responded “yes to both” and that he mentioned in his manifesto that the union is “all of us”. He further stated that, “when we’re at Comhairle, we should feel on trial” and “people need to feel that this is an organisation that works” in both the “members” and “representatives interests”.
Horgan was questioned by Hastings on statements made to the University Times in which he suggested an online voting system for Comhairle. Horgan was asked if he was aware that this system already exists and has been widely implemented already. Horgan responded that he was pushing for “advertising” the system so that class representatives know they can vote if they can’t attend Comhairle. He mentioned he wants to “enhance it” and “make sure it’s more well known to class reps”.
Next, Kennedy was asked about how she would ensure to counteract polarisation within the college community, given her previous involvement in “high-intensity campaigns”. She responded by reiterating her genuine passion for the campaigns she has been involved with, saying that “one of the most important aspects of the presidency is believing in every campaign you are a part of”, referring to her involvement in the Gaza encampment in 2024. She explained that she believes that it would be her responsibility to explain the motivations of the campaigns, should they be “seen as divisive”.
McNally was then asked whether she believed that there was a necessity to tackle bullying accusations within the union. She acknowledged that “there will always be cliques, toxic environments, or people not getting along”; however, she also mentioned bonding events with class representatives as an example of counteracting these dynamics. She said that “it‘s quite clear what needs to be done”; however did not give any further explanation on this front.
Ó Néil was then asked to clarify his recent claim that Jacob Barron‘s candidacy “inspired a lot of people running in this presidential race”. He responded saying that in the current presidential race, there is a “wider range of political views” than in recent years. Emphasising the divergence of his personal views from “many people here”, he said that he wants to represent “students that don‘t agree with the political orthodoxy that surrounds a lot of union activities”.
The hustings ended just past 7pm, with Clancy and Hastings reminding the audience that voting will be open until 4pm on Friday, February 27th.
