Gary Murtagh
What made you apply for the role?
I applied for this role because I am very passionate about the objectives that I have set out and I believe that I am the man to solve these issues. As a student, I genuinely care about issues that affect us on a day to day basis. I applied for this role because I believe that it should be a student who represents the students and I am a relentless character who will fight tiredlessly for the you all. I understand and relate to the real core issues that actually affect us.
Talk us through your manifesto, and the main thing you’ll work on if elected.
My manifesto covers issues that are specific, relevant and actually affect the students. My manifesto is easy to understand and has realistic promises.
My three main pillars are The mental health of students and reforming the student counselling service, promoting Irish and creating major reduction in repeat fees by reforming the repeat fee format.
The mental health of the students is at the forefront of my concern and there is currently a mental health epidemic. The student counselling services requires reform and I am the man to help do this. I will increase the amount of free counselling sessions from 4 to 6. This will improve the standard of therapy for the students. I plan on improving the counsellor to student ratio to 1000 to 1 by June 2025. I will lobby for a mental health champion system where mental health nurses and psychology students can use their education and knowledge to provide assistance towards students who feel they need it, while also gaining experience that will stand to them during their careers.
My second pillar involves promotion of Irish. I will host ‘Pints as Gaeilge’ every week in Sult. This will give the students an opportunity to interact with members of the student union in an environment that promotes gaeilge. I will also lobby for free irish classes for all levels of Gaeilge weekly and more events ran through Gaeilge.
My third pillar involves a major reduction in repeat fees. I will not stop until the college decrease the fees to a fairer amount. I suggest €75 per assignment and €100 per test and capping the fee at €250. This is a fairer format and gives students leeway in relation to paying for repeat exams.
I am deeply passionate about all these objectives. Implementing these changes would really have an astronomical impact of the lives of students.
What do you think the greatest obstacle will be in your term, if elected?
I believe my greatest obstacle could be increasing the engagement between the students and the union. Currently it is not high enough. If you pick out a few random students from a lecture hall and ask them about recent events ran by the union, the majority of them would be out of the loop. I will increase engagement with the students by working on issues that actually affect them and hosting events that they want to turn up to.
What is something you would hope to carry on from the previous officer, if elected?
I believe Dean did a great job and represented the union very well. He has fought for some important issues and I plan on doing the same. Dean has been very helpful to myself with any queries I had about the Full time officer elections. I plan on keeping the ball rolling next term and continuing his good work.
Finally, why do you think people should vote for you?
People should vote for me because I am a student who cares about the students. I represent all groups equally and I understand issues that affect us the most. I will work continuously to achieve the goals that I have set out. From increasing the amount of free counselling sessions by 50%, to reforming the repeat fee format, my goals are varied and actionable. I am a Government student and will apply the knowledge I have acquired from my degree so far to the student union. My objectives are easy to understand and actually have an impact on the lives of the students. At the end of the day, I genuinely care and I would represent every single person in the college proudly and courageously. I believe it is time for a fresh perspective and new ideas in the union. I am the man to implement change.