Sometimes people dont know whats good for them, especially not if they collectivise and create an advocacy group for their opinions. It was time to put them back in their place and tell the trade unions to hit the road. Ms. Aisling O’Connell was in the chair as Jackies eyes were melting from all her rampant lesbianism of late. Before the main business though, she called for motions for Private members time.

Paul McEoin (Science) TTHB Piracy is good for music

We should be able to use music and then decide whether to buy it or not. Its worked for Radiohead with them getting an average donation of $6. Real musicians would rather you listen to their music and not pay than not have people listning at all.

Ronan Fitzpatrick (Science)

These people should have control over their own intelectual property. If they want to make money thats fine, let them. Money is good. If they think so too, let them get some

George Carr (Law)

This removes barriers to art production and makes it easier for the artist to self promote. The industry is only self interested and harming the individuals.

Oisin Collins (Graduate)

This devalues music as a concept. Places it on a par with funny youtube videos and undercuts people being able to make a living through it. He also told us that he questions the marketing strategy of yer one off American idol who sings pants on the ground

Niamh McNally (Arts)

People have always stolen music since taping off the radio or video-taping the big big movie on a Saturday night. They’ve been overcharging since the start and need to let go.

Beartla De Burca (Graduate)

Why pay for anything so? Why pay for books, films or anything? Because it cripples the industry and stops people being able to pay to produce the things.

Summated and defeated

Jackie Driscoll ( Medicine) TTH would extend condolences to the family and friends of Pauric McKearnan

Unopposed and passed

Then it came time for main business

Main Business TTHB Trade Unions are an impediment to economic development

John Brennan (IBEC West)

We’re facing grim times ahead, an immediate need for economic recovery following the global collapse.

Forcast of 15% GNP fall over the course of the recession.

There are worldwide readjustmants happening, Pay freezes, pay cuts and redundencies.

Unions don’t look at the big picture, they impeed change on a large scale like whats needed.

We need to grasp this nettle, unions stop that from happening

Councilor Derek Nolan

Unions are there to represent their workers, and thats what they do.

Brought about huge changes in workers rights.

There to counterbalance the surge for profits and employers advocacy groups.

They cause Negotiation and that creates better solutions

James Hope (HLM)

Having done good in the past, doesnt justify your place in the present. The government created a bubble of expectation thats fueled the issues in the public sector and the protection to high end jobs i.e: the HSE are a constant problem.

Lee Daly (St. Andrews)

We value the idea of concensus in Ireland, they represent that. We need to break the idea of the unions as being the figure of hatred in these conflicts

Micheal McHugh (Engineering)

The public sector is overstaffed, overpaid and underworked. We have unsustainable levels of wages at the moment and need to redress that.

Brendan Gallagher (Arts)

You cannot cut your way out of a recession, you need to grow your way out. Unions would take the cuts if it was really necessary, but the high end aren’t taking them too.

Conor Kelly (Arts)

Talked about how you can cut your way out of a recession by lowering the cost base of your country and makin it more attractive to foreign investment. He went on to chat about how unions look at things on a very small micro level and dont consider the bigger picture when they enter these disputes. Finally he told us that while it wasnt the unions fault we were in a recession, it was a burden that we all have to bear and they aren’t pulling their weight.

Mike Spring (Education)

This wasn’t the fault of the unions but an issue with our approach to economics. The unions helped workers in the past and continue to do so now and told us we need to find a new form of economics not target the unions.

Sean Butler (HLM)

Capitalism may not be perfect, but its the best system we have. You take the good with the bad and these workers need to understand that we all need to deal with the bad in the current economic situation

Richard Manton (Engineering)

Kensian economics are the basis for most of the unions, such as SIPTUS new plans. Its not crazy to suggest that theyre looking at rolling back on workers rights in a large way considering that the national minimum wagte is under discussion as it stands. Unions provide a voice in tose arguements.

Tony McDonald (HLM)

Unions promote inefficiency, are protectionist to the detriment of the sectors in which they work and are counterintuitive to the concept of economic recovery and streamlining of public services

Summated and passed

All that was left to do was to thank everyone for their contributions and invite everyone to the dail for a well deserved drink.