On Thursday 3 March you will be asked to vote in a referendum to amend the SU Constitution. The amendment was proposed by Comhairle Comhaltas na Mac Léinn on 31 January 2022.
The amendment, if passed will result in the creation of a full-time paid Vice President for the Irish Language
The wording which will appear on each ballot, requiring a Yes / No answer, is outlined below
Article 7 The Executive Committee
A. The Executive Committee of the Union shall consist of:
Insert after The Vice President / Education Officer:
iv. Leas Uachtarán don Gaeilge / Vice President for the Irish Language
Delete:
v. The Irish Language Officer
And renumber accordingly
Insert:
iv. Leas Uachtarán don Gaeilge / Vice President for the Irish Language:
1. Shall have responsibility for promoting the Irish Language to the general student body and to this end shall initiate campaigns on relevant Irish language issues.
2. Shall represent members on various University committees.
3. Shall organise and chair the Coiste Gaeilge, having at least three meetings per academic year.
4. Shall follow the goals as set out by the Irish Language Strategy for the Union, and develop this as appropriate.
5. Shall support the work of Irish language societies on campus.
6. Shall also be required to give a mandatory report on work carried out at each Executive meeting.
Delete:
v. The Irish Language Officer
1. S/He shall be responsible for the promotion of the Irish language and culture amongst the members of the Union.
2. S/He shall enforce the policy set out in Article 18.B.
3. S/He shall support the work of the Irish language societies on campus.
4. S/He shall be proficient in Irish. The Elections Committee may, before an election, demand an Irish Language Officer candidate to demonstrate his/her fluency and literacy in Irish. The Director
of Spoken Irish in NUI Galway (or a person nominated by the Director) shall adjudicate. A lack in fluency or literacy shall deem that candidate ineligible for the position.
5. S/He will represent Union members on various University committees.
And renumber accordingly
Article 10 Students’ Union Committees & Fora
Insert:
I. An Coiste Gaeilge
An Coiste Gaeilge shall be chaired by the Leas Uachtarán don Gaeilge and shall meet at least three times per academic year. An Coiste Gaeilge will work to implement and develop the Union’s Irish Language Strategy An Coiste Gaeilge shall present regular reports on its work to Comhairle Comhaltas na Mac Léinn.
An Coiste Gaeilge shall be open to all members of the Union.
This referendum has been requested by 500 members of the Students’ Union in accordance with the Students’ Union Constitution, Article 16.
Referendum Results
