• Irish students travelling to the US on J1 summer work visas have been advised against attempting to circumvent local drinking laws by modifying their passports. Altering a passport is a criminal offense in Ireland and a federal offence in the US and is punishable by fines, buy viagra imprisonment and/or refusal of future entry to the United States. USI President Gary Redmond warned Irish students who have obtained J1 working visas or US travel visas, buy viagra not to travel on modified passports as it “will be detectable by custom officials even if the laminate has been removed and the student believes that they have reversed the modifications.” Students in this situation are urged to “take immediate action to obtain a replacement passport.”
  • The USI has stated that they are “outraged” after Education Minister Ruairí Quinn hinted at the “likely reintroduction of college fees.” Minister Quinn’s comments appear to contradict the USI pledge that he signed prior to his election in which he promised that, if elected, he would “oppose and campaign against any new form of third-level fees.” The USI has called upon Minister Quinn to “honour the commitment he made to thousands of students and families across the country” and reiterated their opposition to third-level fees and grant cuts. A recent report released by AIB showed that the average student’s disposable income has dramatically decreased by 36%. The research indicated that there had been an increase in the number of students relying upon the student grant. This coincides with current cuts of up to over 60% to student grants. USI President, Gary Redmond, has demanded that “the government should work to encourage people to participate in Higher Education rather that close the door on them by increasing college fees.”