UCD STUDENTS' UNION WANT CROKE PARK DEAL SCRAPPED AS 63% REJECT AGREEMENT - RED C POLL

UCD Students' Union are calling on the Government to scrap the Croke Park agreement and reopen negotiations with the unions.

UCD Students' Union President Paul Lynam said "The Croke Park agreement is unrealistic in its current form and must be reassessed in light of current events."

Lynam added "This agreement was drawn up in June 2010, and despite the short time span since, the entire economic and political landscape has changed beyond recognition."

"If the Croke Park agreement is implemented in its current form, front line services will be hit, e.g. in UCD, 70% of the budget is based on wages."

"Students and the most vulnerable in society will be the ones who suffer if this proposal is implemented along with a draconian budget on December 7th."

"Any cuts made to front line services will directly impact students."

According to the Red C Poll, 75% of full-time students believe the Croke Park Agreement should be renegotiated so that public sector pay is adjusted to protect front line services.

The current deal guarantees that there will be no further pay cuts or compulsory redundancies for public service staff until 2014.

UCD Students' Union will propose this idea to December's meeting of USI's National Council.