By News Editor Amanda Uwase.
With the quorum not met, is this the last Comhdháil in DCU? We asked the DCUSU full-time officers a few questions, and this is what they had to say.
When asked how they will be selecting the delegation, no response has yet been given. This means there is still a chance to get your name in the hat for the opportunity to voice your issues alongside other universities in Ireland.
We then asked about policies. They said several existing policies that are due to expire are being reviewed ahead of the Congress happening in 3 weeks.
They plan to renew some and introduce new or updated motions on key student issues, including academic policy, equality, environmental action, welfare, and student accommodation. No details were provided on student consultation.
With AMLÉ not reaching quorum, a second vote must take place. When that will happen will be decided by the next Students’ Union, according to the DCU SU team.
AMLÉ’s Comhdháil will take place in the Clayton hotel in Sligo from 30th March to 2nd April, with all expenses covered for delegates, as said in the DCU SU week 8 newsletter.
Photo credit: DCU Student Life
What is AMLÉ?
Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn (AMLÉ), also known as the Union of Students in Ireland (USI), is the national representative body for third-level students across the island of Ireland.
It represents more than 360,000 affiliated students through its member organisations, which include local Students’ Unions such as DCU SU. As a membership organisation, AMLÉ works through these unions to represent student interests at a national level.
It’s an event where students from across Ireland come together to debate and decide which policies they want introduced, challenged, or removed. Making it one of the few chances students get to influence the direction of student politics at a national level.
The infamous Twitter wall will also be making a return, keeping the atmosphere lively and ensuring the conversation continues both inside and outside the debating hall. For many students, it’s their first real taste of political debate.
Photo credits: Amanda Uwase at comhdháil 2022
For others, it’s a reunion with future politicians and activists, easily the closest thing you’ll find to the Dáil in a student setting. It’s known for sparking passionate discussion, though often in the most wholesome way, as students from different campuses share perspectives and challenge each other’s ideas.
How can I get involved?
If you’re thinking it might be too late to get involved, there’s still time. Applications remain open; the Week 8 newsletter has the link, and so do we here and the process is designed to be fair and transparent, based on how it has been run in previous years.
Will this happen again next year?
DCU Students’ Union is currently affiliated with AMLÉ. However, a referendum must be held every three years to allow students to decide whether the SU should remain a member.
This year’s vote did not reach the minimum turnout required for the result to be considered binding. Because of this, the referendum will likely need to be held next academic year again so students can formally confirm or reject the affiliation.
If students vote YES, DCU SU will remain a member of AMLÉ. The €8/€5 affiliation fee will continue to be collected through the Student Contribution Charge, and the SU will retain its seat on the National Council while sending delegates to AMLÉ Congress.
If students vote NO, DCU SU would leave AMLÉ. The affiliation fee would no longer be collected, and the Union would operate independently, managing its own training, representation, and lobbying efforts.
