Debate: should we loan £7bn to Ireland?

YES

· Jordan Rowe

The UK is Ireland’s main trading partner by a mile - more so than the rest of the EU put together. By allowing the Irish economy to collapse, the UK would suffer too. Added to this, we can’t forget how much the Northern Irish economy depends on the Republic. By not loaning Ireland the £7bn, the UK would be damaging a relationship, not just with our neighbour but with the whole of Europe. Ireland owes British banks £140bn. If we stood by and let them collapse, RBS, which is owned by the taxpayer, may very well go in the same direction. We wouldn’t be able to sustain  another banking crisis.

NO

· Myfanwy Hughes

Bailing out the Irish sets a dangerous precedent for British involvement in EU bailouts. If we are willing to extend a hand to our Irish neighbours, the floodgates begin to open for the next nation in crisis which judging by the state of things, looks like Portugal or Spain. Can Britain afford all this? Let’s look back at 2008 when Britain loaned Iceland approximately £2.2 billion to help stabilise its economy. This year, our government and the Dutch asked for £3.4 billion in compensation. What did we get? Nothing; as an overwhelming amount of Icelandic voters chose 'No' in a referendum proposal to compensate us. Can we really afford another repeat of this?

Exams—should we pay for them?

· Jordan Rowe

Students should pay for their exams. Schools and colleges already spend an average £150,000 on exam fees and are left with hardly any funding for textbooks, photocopying and other learning aids. According to a recent BBC report there has been a 51% rise in exam fees and students should also have a responsibility to help fund some of the cost of their education, while schools should continue investing in modern learning aids—such as computers and interactive whiteboards.

ID Cards - are they really necessary?

YES

· By Jordan Rowe

In the end, this is a non-issue. Arguments that they’re ugly come to nothing. If that’s the case, just take them off when you leave college grounds. If everyone wears them while in college, there’s surely nothing to worry about.

They also give us a sense of community and belonging. My argument comes down to this: are there more pressing things to worry about? The answer, maybe surprisingly for some people, is YES! Get over it!

NO

· By Myfanwy Hughes

Naturally, implementation of such a rule is bound to be met with resistance, particularly from second years unfamiliar with this policy.

Why such adamant refusal? "It's a way of conforming us" was the outcry of many. One student even audaciously described it as a “dictatorship”.

Aside from the shallow argument that the obscenely bright orange lanyards clash with one’s outfit, there is also the argument that compulsory wearing of these lanyards stifles one’s individuality.

Besides, if the college administration is keen to implement the rule, then why have they not been actively enforcing it?