Marcus O’Halloran is from a dairy and beef farm in Cloneen, Co Tipperary. He started studying Food and Agri Business Management at UCD in 2011 and has just taken on the role of president of the UCD student union (SU) for the coming academic year.

Are you the first agricultural student union president?

“From what I know, yes, there seems to be no record to my knowledge of a previous agricultural president. I take over from current SU president Fergal Hynes on 1 June and the term is a year.”

What made you go for the SU president role?

“I had been auditor of the Agricultural Science Society at UCD and we had a very successful year with regards to interaction and the charity work that was done. UCD can be a very lonely place and this year it seemed to change for the better and it was something I felt that I could bring to the table. I also regard my time at UCD as the best four years of my life, so having the chance to make an impact on other students’ time at UCD was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse.”

Previous roles held that helped and in what way?

“Auditor of Ag-Soc helped as it gave me a good platform to start from.”

Main objectives/ambitions while in term?

“The main aim is to increase interaction on campus. There are classes of students in first-year arts with as much as 500 people in them and often if people know four or five other students they’re doing well. Fees will also be a hot topic for the year and there is also a huge accommodation crisis on campus.

“The initial priority will be accommodation and helping students find houses close to UCD, but for students who may not be able to source local accommodation I will be looking at running a shuttle bus service from the Luas, to enable students to commute from larger distances. We will also look at maintaining the shuttle bus service from the Dart.

“Once accommodation is sorted, hopefully in August the priority will be getting ready for the incoming students on orientation week, then onto fresher’s week and the first semester, with increasing interaction and getting a good vibe going on campus again.”

Are there students already coming to you with questions/problems?

“There have been a few alright, but I have had to explain to them that I’m not currently in office until 1 June, so I can’t always help. I have had a lot on my plate too, catching up with my coursework and working towards my final exams, so SU matters weren’t a priority. The main issue students have is accommodation and I’ve tried my best to advise them in any way fit and to start house-hunting now.”

Do you think it was an advantage coming from a farming background for this role? Does your agricultural background benefit you in the likes of campaigning and dealing with the pressure?

“Background had very little to do with running the campaign. It was no advantage whatsoever as I’d never been involved in a campaign before, so my team and I had to learn everything from scratch.”

The agricultural community is strong at UCD, do you think this helped you getting the role of SU president?

“It was a huge help coming from Ag. The community of Ag at UCD is something that will never leave. If not for this community backing I received from Ag, then I don’t believe I would have won.”

What do you think makes the Ag community so strong, are you going to try reflect this onto the rest of UCD while in term?

“I suppose Ag is largely made up of country people who all have very similar interests and Ag is in a sense a home away from home. The nights out are responsible for a lot of this as people get to meet everyone from the get-go at fresher’s week.

“Fourth-years make it their business to get to know the incoming first-years and make them feel welcome. This helps them settle in massively and it sort of takes the edge off of the big life changes, such as moving to Dublin to go to college, which is huge for any 18 or 19-year-old.

“The plan is to try and reflect this onto a larger scale. I will be sending a clear message from the get-go to class reps to organise parties and events immediately, to allow people to meet each other.

“I’ll also be getting on board with the societies and working closely with them, so that people from all backgrounds can find something that is of interest to them. It’s not all about nights out, we have a diverse campus at UCD and it’s important for people who don’t drink to be catered for as well, which is something I fully plan on setting in stone.”

Are you going to use this platform to boost to better things?

“I haven’t even thought past next week, so I’ll take everything as it comes.”

Did you think about a role in politics before going for SU president and do you think of one now? If not what do you hope to do after you finish your term?

“I had thought of one yes, but I don’t any more. It’s a very tough life and your life is pretty much an open book, no matter where you go. In the short-term, I want to graduate from college and maybe look into a master’s next year. My long-term plan is to go travelling with work for a while and in 10 years or that, hopefully, I’ll be in a position to come home to the family farm.”

Which political party do you support and did you follow politics before this?

“My mother’s side are Fianna Fáil and my father’s are Fine Gael, so I’ll try keep the peace with this one.”

What politician do you most admire?

“Michael Lowry, Mattie McGrath and Simon Coveney.”

What’s you opinion of Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan?

“I think she is in for a very busy year, one which will really test her and the Government. It’s costing far too much to go to college, and students and families simply cannot afford any more. Education is far too expensive in this country.”

Do you foresee the introduction of the assets test?

“I certainly hope not. If that is brought in I can assure you myself and all of the other farmers’ sons/daughters in Dublin and across the country will be voicing our opinions outside Dáil Éireann.”

What’s your opinion of the student fees at the moment? Where do you see them going?

“Fees are going to be a major topic this year. I think Ireland will look towards a loan system similar to the UK, which helps open up a lot of doors to education to people as they no longer have to have the money to be able to afford to live in Dublin or any of the expensive cities.”

Lastly, is SU president a paid role?

“Yes it is, not much, but it’s enough to get yourself by in Dublin, which is fine for the year that’s in it. The wages are something I’m not bothered about.”