Cormac Cashman is currently the Union’s Welfare Officer and is running for the position once again. On the subject of his re-running Cashman says that “the biggest failure of our Students’ Union is every year there’s a lack of continuity” noting that big projects and casework can fall behind because of this.
Among Cashman’s plans for next year are to address the problem with Ireland’s grants system, which he describes as a “hugely failing monster.” Cashman believes his experience dealing with various grant awarding bodies this year will be crucial when the government looks to reassess the grant system next year.
When asked how he felt about his job so far this year, Cashman said, “I’ve achieved a lot of things I wanted to do.” Among his successes he mentions the Accommodation Advisory Service run by the Union and a service he’s run in Trinity Hall going door-to-door to chat to first year students. Cashman believes it is important to reach first year students as soon as possible so that they know there’s help for them as they go through college.
When asked about the trend of nightclub promoters running recently Cashman responded by saying “I don’t think there’s a clash of interests” with regard to his own promotion of gay club night Prhomo in Basebar. Cashman talked about the advantages of his promotion work, including a number of charity nights he’s run this year and how it has taught him how to make people aware.
When asked why students should vote for him and not his opponent Cashman wouldn’t comment on his opponent, but instead pointed out that he has the experience of doing the job for the last year. Finally Cashman was asked how he would feel if he lost this election after his victory last year. He said that he’d get back to finishing his degree, but also that he “would be gutted.”
