TU Dublin Students’ Union Leadership Candidates Debate 2024
By Millie Reid and Jamie Ryan
The TU Dublin Students’ Union (SU) leadership debate took place on Friday, 15th March in Grá Bar in Smithfield.
For the TU Dublin SU President, there were three candidates in the running; Robert Brennan Bell, Shauna O’Toole, and Nekesa Khisa.
Due to illness, Bell could not be in attendance for the debate but the current Deputy President and VP for Communications and Media, Louise Kavanagh, delivered a speech on Bell’s behalf.
“I may be dying of pneumonia in hospital,” Bell wrote, “but I am dying even more to be the next president of your Union”.
Bell expressed the need to make students feel more connected between campuses, and they shouldn’t feel “alienated” from others.
Throughout his campaign, Bell has expressed the need to increase transparency and accountability within the SU.
Following this, O’Toole, the current VP for Academic Affairs, took to the podium to deliver her speech.
O'Toole is promoting direct action to help aid students in fighting back against the mistreatment of young people in Ireland.
“At present, I feel the student movement has become complacent and has been absorbed by autocracy.
"When we work together, we can make real change,” she continued.
Nekesa Khisa, current VP for Welfare & Equality then took to the podium.
“I bring you the experience, effective communication skills, a vision for positive change and a commitment to inclusivity and diversity,” Khisa said.
“Given the chance, I will bring solutions to some of the long-time problems that we are faced with,” she continued.
When asked what changes both candidates would make if elected, O’Toole began by saying; “More protests, block the Clocktower – let Fitzy come out to us,” referring to president of TU Dublin, David Fitzpatrick.
Khisa said; “I want to make sure that there is more action on campuses” and she wanted to create a “back-to-back communication system between students and the Union.”
Candidates were then asked whether they believe the role of Campus VPs has been beneficial.
“I believe that working with the campus vice-presidents is one of the strongest things to do,” Khisa responded. She said the Campus Vice-Presidents are responsible for maintaining good communication and running events.
O’Toole responded to this saying; “I think the Campus Vice-Presidents are an integral role in what we do in the Union.”
“The president sits in so many committees and talks to so many officials, they don’t get the chance to see on the ground,” she said.
Khisa was asked anonymously from the crowd about several impeachment processes that are ongoing and if she could share her thoughts on them.
She had to be asked the question a second time - having not answered it initially.
“When we as a Union, when we isolate the works of the various officers and try to look at it at individual level, we actually undermine the Union, and it is very counterproductive,” she responded.
O’Toole was then asked for her top achievements that she currently holds or has previously held in the Students’ Union.
“One of the things me and The President put forward was to have advance exams before Winter break, so students can actually have a break,” she said.
Answering the same question, Khisa said; “One of my biggest achievements in my current role is stopping the University from increasing fees for international students.”
O’Toole responded to this saying; “I think the Campus Vice-Presidents are an integral role in what we do in the Union.”
“The president sits in so many committees and talks to so many officials, they don’t get the chance to see on the ground,” she said.
Khisa was asked anonymously from the crowd about several impeachment processes that are ongoing and if she could share her thoughts on them.
She had to be asked the question a second time - having not answered it initially.
“When we as a Union, when we isolate the works of the various officers and try to look at it at individual level, we actually undermine the Union, and it is very counterproductive,” she responded.
O’Toole was then asked for her top achievements that she currently holds or has previously held in the Students’ Union.
“One of the things me and The President put forward was to have advance exams before Winter break, so students can actually have a break,” she said.
Answering the same question, Khisa said; “One of my biggest achievements in my current role is stopping the University from increasing fees for international students.”
The VP for Welfare and Equality has two candidates, Jeremy Lawler and Fatima Said.
Lawler opened his speech stating that as VP for Blanchardstown, he “managed to lobby for open access lifts and increase food voucher for students” Lawler said.
Lawler's main goals include increasing support for transgender students, improving access to health services, improving accessibility, and providing fun and engaging educational events.
“You can't say we have equality without accessibility”, Lawler said.
Fatima Said spoke next matching her opponent with a very strong speech, opening by speaking about her well-versed background as an African-Muslim who has experience interning in the Oireachtas.
“My internship has provided me with insights into legislative processes. I will leverage this experience to advocate for student interests at the policy level, ensuring that our concerns are heard and addressed”.
Said’s main goals are to solve issues of period poverty, inclusivity, provide mental health support and additional support for international students.
“I believe that every person regardless of gender, sexuality or race should be cared for equally”, she said.
The candidates for VP for Academic Affairs, are Sheran Bahadir and James Renaghan.
Bahadir opened her speech in a very clear manner, stating that her main goals would be to conduct surveys on exam preferences, advocate for fair assessment policies to reduce repeat fees, lobby for issues such as accessibility and to promote diverse course materials for all relevant education.
Renaghan on the other hand, took a very political approach, taking the need for free education, abolishing repeat fees, promoting transparency, and encouraging student unity.
“We need to bring radical student action to the forefront of social movements,” Renaghan said.
Renaghan was questioned asking aside from his political manifesto, what does he intend to do regarding academic affairs, Renaghan responded to this by saying “everything is political.”
There are two candidates for VP for Communications and Media, Ema Radlinskaite and Rial John Silada.
Both candidates expressed the interest in founding a Student Media Outlet.
Radlinskaite’s main focuses during their speech were their aspirations for creating engagement and transparency among students.
“It is really important to me that students understand what is going on in the Students’ Union,” they said.
Radlinskaite stated that they believe it is first important to see how students want information communicated to them and said they would take that feedback onboard and “upskill” if necessary.
Silada began his speech by outlining two main reasons why he believes that he deserves the student’s vote.
“Firstly, I have a combined six years of experience dealing with all manners of communications media. I have been a student journalist for those six years. Secondly, I have a strong platform and a strong plan for once I get elected and that starts with setting up the student newspaper”.
Silada stated that the student newspaper is an essential part of keeping the Students’ Union democratic and allowing students to express their concerns.
“I am willing to stand here right now and make a commitment that I am willing to take a four-thousand-euro pay cut if the university is willing to match that and put that towards paying the writers,” Silada said.
The two candidates for VP for Events and Engagement were Princewill Aguele and Exose Kavungu.
Aguele vocalised in his speech the need for creating an inclusive and engaging environment for all students.
“No matter what your culture or background is, I will ensure there is an event to cater your needs,” Aguele declared.
He also spoke on how he is passionate to make the events advertisement digitalised because he believes everything is online today.
“I want to use digital space for events because most things are on the phone now,” Aguele proclaimed.
Kavungu spoke second confidently outlining her impressive background as the current Chairperson for the TU Dublin Africa Society and Class Representative.
She is passionate about enhancing the student experience and believes she is well-equipped for the role given her experience.
While both students shared quite similar views about digitalisation and inclusivity, a question that was put to both was how they plan to deal with the fragmented nature of TU Dublin's different campuses.
Kavaungu answered first explaining that she decided to take it upon herself to interview students to get an idea of what they might want to see.
“I have talked to the students of TU Dublin across all campuses, and I really understand their concerns”, she stated. “From the feedback I got I think inclusive events would help”, she added.
Answering the same question, Aguele spoke on how he believes that organising events on neutral grounds to all campuses would help to welcome everyone.
Esmeraldi Doda is running for Blanchardstown VP.
In his speech he stated that he wanted to focus on key areas for the Blanchardstown campus, including student accommodation, rise in cost of canteen food, making the gym free and to make all campuses more accessible for all students of TU Dublin.
VP for Blanchardstown candidate, Esmeraldi Doda – Image by Liam Murphy
“Many of these places that are labelled ‘student accommodation’, are not affordable for students”, Doda said.
Peter McCann is seeking re-election as City Campus VP for the coming academic year.
McCann discussed unique challenges that he is fully committed to tackling for all city campuses, such as maintenance of facilities, working with class reps and better communication.
VP for City Campuses candidate Peter McCann– Image by Liam Murphy
“Throughout city campuses there needs to be serious improvements,” McCann states.
“I think what I have learnt is the pressure you have to put on some people to get something done is immense,” McCann said.
Naomi Sebastine, is running for the Tallaght VP.
Sebastine stated in her speech that she wants to focus on what the students want, such as more seating areas across the campus, better religious facilities, events that cater to all people and more food options in the canteen.
VP for Tallaght candidate Naomi Sebastine – Image by Liam Murphy
“The best way to ensure that everyone is held accountable is communication. Seeing where everyone is at and making sure everyone is on the same page,” she said.
Post-Graduate Officer is being contested by Avice Meya.
Meya stated that she wanted to foster a sense of belonging for postgraduate students in TU Dublin.
“I commit to be your voice and your advocate for your needs and aspirations,” Meya said.
Post-Graduate Officer candidate, Avice Meya – Image by Liam Murphy
Meya went on to state that she wanted to create better infrastructure for mental health services for post-graduate students, along with ensuring that timetables are released to students in a timelier manner
Students can vote between 19th March until 21st March on all TU Dublin campuses.