Mis. Magazine Volume 128, Issue 1

m i s c.

Vol. 128, Issue 1

September 2021

MISC. is a platform for student writers and artists to focus their passion and creativity on stories that fail to am ke headlines elsewhere. tI is an opportunity to delve deeper, and hopefully to think around an issue, rather than simply about it. Sis leads em to reoect on the theme of this issue: Change. oN thing is impervious to change as we know, but humans have ouen found a way to direct that change. n I novative ideas have the power to improve society, the u q ality of people’s lives, and the planet. oH wever, it has not always proven to be a og od thing: in am ny instances change has leu people and the world in a worse or place than when we started.

Se following articles discuss change that has been positive in areas such as u m sic and protest; that has been alarming in technology and politics; and that has been sorely lacking in em dicine and og ev rnment.

Finally, as per tradition, we ask that you read the following pages with an open mind and a critical eye, and we encourage you to share your thoughts with us.

- Sean Gordon Dalton Editor-in-Chief

art by Jennifer Hill

C O N T E N T S

CULTURE An Alternative Ulster: Punk and the Troubles

3

Rome Rule to Onlyfans: The Change in Irish Attirudes towards Sex

7

Social Media and Covid 19: Hidden by a Mask, Heightened by a Screen

10

Editor in Chief Sean Gordon Dalton Cover Artist Clara Cronin

POLITICS

13

End of an Era: The Race to Replace Angela Merkel

Political Editors Catherine Forristal David Wolfe

17

Unionism Divided: The Downfall of the DUP and the Polarisation of Unionism

Culture Editor Pearse Crowley Sci-Tech Editor Erika Magan

ECONOMY The Housing Crisis: Market Failure or Global Phenomenon?

21 24

Universal Basic Income: Tackling Poverty Head on

Economy Editor Liam Brady Art Manager Ella Sloane Chief Copy Editor Jules O’Toole

SCI-TECH

Deputy Copy Editor Siobhan Walsh

27

Duty of Poor Care: Women’s Health still stuck in the Back Seat

30

Who’s Watching?

The Terrifying Implications of Pegasus Spyware

Layout and Design David Wolfe Sean Gordon Dalton Ella Sloane Trinity MISC. 6 Trinity College Dublin 2 trinitymisc@gmail.com

2

culture

Alternative Ulster:

Punk and the Troubles

by JULES O’TOOLE

unit, posing as security forces performing a routine security check. The intentions of the unit were unclear- until a bomb

they

were

planting,

allegedly intended to detonate in Dublin in the Miami’s bus, exploded prematurely, killing

J

Stiff Little Fingers, ‘ 79

oe Strummer once said, ‘If punk was hard, Ulster was

harder. If punk was chaos, Ulster was warzone. Punk was

the perfect soundtrack to the ravaged cities.’ The loud, angry and aggressive sound of the punk movement, reaching a peak in 1977, coincided with the loud aggression of The Troubles, creating a unique, cross-sectional punk scene in Northern Ireland that captured a political sentiment, a sense of protest, and the raw energy of young people simply fed up of their surroundings.

The violence of the Troubles suppressed music throughout Ireland but arguably through this inspired it even more. With little focus on Irish music, one tragic event was the catalyst that backhandedly sparked a revelation in Irish music. On July 31st, 1975, The Miami Showband were travelling to Dublin from a gig in the Castle Ballroom, Bandridge, Co. Down.

Most showbands featured 7 or 8 members, a full complement of brass and a lead singer, performing an island wide circuit of parochial halls and ballrooms, bringing standard dances and chart covers. It is estimated at the peak of the era there were over 700 active showbands in Ireland. The Miami ‘The Irish Beatles’ - were popular both north and south of the border, performing for mixed audiences, representing Ireland in the 1966 Eurovision Song Contest. The group were met in the early hours of July 31st by a Loyalist paramilitary

3

two

paramilitary

members

instantly. The following panic resulted in 3 members of the Miami being shot and killed.

The results of the Miami

Massacre on music in Northern Ireland were instant and widespread. From the 1st of July, newspapers reported variety acts cancelling Northern Irish gigs for fear of repeat attacks, with the Irish Musicians Federation issuing statements to the same effect. No longer was Ireland a safe place for musicians to tour. It was instead stigmatised as a problem destination for international popular acts, a stigma that some argue lasted until the mid-80s. The Miami massacre highlighted the fact that even music, previously enjoyed by communities on either side of the conflict together, could never be immune to the sectarian strife that was tearing apart the north-eastern part of the island.

This Miami Showband Massacre perhaps sparked the punk movement in Northern Ireland - with less and less international acts and showbands, music was given more space to thrive, uninfluenced by exposure to large scale American and British acts. The absence of live gigs and social occasions also resulted in young people focusing their attention on smaller, home-grown groups and pub gigs. A gap for punk music was inevitable; punk had a raw energy and a DIY approach that made it more accessible - you don’t need to be able to read music to play punk. If you can even play an instrument, you’re already doing better than The Sex Pistols

culture ever could. Punk had an attitude of rebelling against authority

in Europe, became legendary, a home to all punks. Soon after

and social norms, an anger, and a form of escapism - just what

opening the shop, Terri had his first brush with punk at a

the youth of Northern Ireland were crying out for.

small gig in The Pound, RUDI and The Outcasts. A plan was

Belfast was put firmly on the punk picture by the arrival of The

quickly made to release RUDI’s ‘Big Time’ as a flexi-disc, to

Clash, (‘Should I Stay or Should I Go’, ‘Rock the Casbah’),

be given away free with a copy of Alternative Ulster, a small

on October 20th 1977. Punks descended from all across the

scale punk zine. After some calculations, it turned out it would

country, on an anarchistic pilgrimage to the Ulster Hall,

be only marginally more expensive to go all out and print a

Bedford Street. Fearing the chaos of gathering all these youths

proper 7” vinyl single. Today, a first pressing of Big Time is

together, the gig was cancelled at the last minute by Belfast

a priceless collector’s piece. On original Good Vibrations

City Hall. In response, young punks created a roadblock,

singles, the picture sleeves were printed off on a photocopier,

stopping any movement on Bedford Street, throwing stones

before being folded by hand, often by the band themselves.

at the windows of the Ulster hall. The RUC were called to

Terri remained to be an influential figure in Belfast’s Music

put an end to ‘The Riot of Bedford’.

Fans as young as 15 were pushed, shoved, and beaten by the police. (The riot was later immortalised by RUDI, in the song ‘Cops’, and its infamous ‘SS RUC’ chorus, a NI punk anthem.)

The Clash, ‘working class heroes’ of the UK, rounded off the night in the Europa Hotel, the most expensive establishment in Belfast, while fans made their way back to their realities.

The Clash posed with army and police up the Falls Road and at security checkpoints, utterly fascinated by the world they had walked into. These images were posted in music magazines and fanzines, with headlines screaming:

“

Young people in Northern Ireland were living in aggression, sick of authority, unable to escape

scene until last year, finally retiring from public appearances.

The Undertones were undoubtedly the most successful band of Northern Ireland’s

punk,

with

lyrics

that

discussed universal teenage perils: romance,

Subbuteo,

pimples

and

Mars bars. The Undertones only once discussed political issues in their lyrics, which may be the root of their success abroad. Following a string of gigs and rejected demos, Terri Hooley offered them the chance to record an EP. On the 16th of June ’78, the Teenage Kicks EP was recorded.

What happened next is often disputed, but however it happened, John Peel

“THE CLASH UNITE PROTESTANT AND CATHOLIC

received a copy of the EP. On September 9th, Peel played

YOUTH WITH PUNK ROCK DESPITE CANCELLED

all four tracks on his evening show, playing Teenage Kicks

GIGS AND REPRESSION”. These Belfast punks were

twice in a row, cementing its place as a pop legend. “Isn’t

living their everyday lives in what The Clash considered

that the most wonderful record you’ve ever heard?” The

an edgy photo opportunity. Catholic and Protestant young

Undertones were the most commercially successful of all the

people in Northern Ireland were living in aggression, sick

NI punk bands, with their unique power-pop style forming

of authority, unable to escape. The Clash concert acted as a

the inspiration for many others. Based around a 4 chord

catalyst for the punk scene. Alliances were made, friendships

pattern and an infectious riff, Teenage Kicks continues to

were created, and most importantly, bands were formed.

influence what dominates today’s charts. The opening riff is

Instrumental to the punk movement was Terri Hooley, ‘the

instantly recognisable, yet the song really comes into its own

Malcolm McLaren’ of NI Punk, his Good Vibrations shop

during the instrumental breaks, with handclaps and the riff

and independent record label of the same name. Terri’s tiny

repeating again. There is clear inspiration from the Ramones,

record shop on Great Victoria Street, the most bombed street

as it has many parallels to Blitzkrieg Bop in its simplicity and

4

art by Ella Sloane

culture repetitiveness. Teenage Kicks is universal, and relatable,

to the top of the alternative charts, and is one of the most

away from the violence on the ground The Undertones were

instantly recognisable Northern Irish punk songs. With

surrounded with. Although they received criticism for not

their music setting out “to confront the negative energy of

discussing the violence that surrounded them, the group

political injustice with...rock music’’, SLF belonged to the

disagreed with glorifying the Troubles for the sake of their

“social realist” wing of punk. In ‘Alternative Ulster’, we see

music focusing on ‘songs about chocolate and girls’ . Teenage

the harsh life of the Troubles mimicked in both the lyrics and

Kicks will forever go down in history as punk’s catchiest 4

music, creating the perfect track to epitomise the anger felt

chord song, and its timeless, relatable subject matter may be

by Ulster’s youth. In something as deep rooted in our social

the reason for its great commercial success. It has evolved

conscious as the Troubles, it can often be hard to find any

into a staple punk cover for countless bands: The Buzzcocks,

form of unbiased, objective material; yet SLF achieve this.

U2, Snow Patrol, One Direction, even Jedward. Until his

History is simultaneously confronted and avoided, no names

death, John Peel maintained that Teenage Kicks was his

or incidents are mentioned. Away from the sectarian attitude

favourite song ever written, even having an acoustic version

of ‘us’ and ‘them’, ‘Alternative Ulster’ pulls everyone together

played at this funeral.

in a fight against the injustices and terrors of the society they

Stiff Little Fingers, started off as a heavy rock schoolboy band,

surround themselves with. “Nothin’ for us in Belfast”. In a city

with a set mainly consisting of covers by Led Zeppelin and

always on the edge, the arts have no place to thrive, and youth

Deep Purple. But as punk began to spread through Northern

have no p;ace to express their views. ‘Alternative Ulster’ calls

Ireland in 1977, a change in style was imminent. The band

for us all to question what we’ve surrounded ourselves with,

renamed themselves Stiff Little Fingers, (SLF) after the

and what we perceive as norms. It calls on us to share our

Vibrators song, and began

opinions on the issues that

to build up their set with

affect us, and think critically

punk

real

about them. ‘Is this the kind

turning point for the band

of place you wanna live, is

covers.

The

was when they were spotted by two English journalists, in

Scan with Spotify to listen to the punk soundtrack of 70’s Ulster

November 1977. They were

this where you wanna be? Is this the only life we’re gonna have? What we need… Is an

impressed by their raw energy, and encouraged the band to

Alternative Ulster’. Even in a peaceful society, ‘Alternative

write about their own experiences in Northern Ireland. This

Ulster’ carries the message to be active, and protest, to stand

involvement of journalists, and the groups sudden departure

up, and “Alter your native land”.

from rock towards punk has led to criticism that the group were not as authentic as other bands, taking advantage of the surrounding political climate and glamorising it for commercial gain. Shortly after this their redirection, ‘Suspect Device’ and ‘Wasted Life’ were penned, songs conveying the turbulent, unjust political and social landscape in Northern Ireland. Both tracks were recorded, and 500 copies were released, on their own Rigid Digits label. A copy was sent to John Peel, (noticing a theme?), who played the tracks on his show every night for a week. Local fanzine Alternative Ulster approached the band, asking for them to write a song to be issued as a freebie flexi single with the fanzine.

The punk scene of Northern Ireland is unique in its ability to highlight and discuss political issues confronting young people, while simultaneously providing a total escape from ordinary life. From punk fashion to gigs in The Pound, the Northern Irish scene allowed individuals to carve out an identity and circle independent of political alliances, independent of religion. The attitudes of punk, of questioning social norms, rebelling against authority, with a DIY approach were perhaps most suited to the Troubles. As best put by 2013 film Good Vibrations, ‘New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason’.

SLF’s most successful song, ‘Alternative Ulster’, rocketed

6

culture

Rome Rule to Onlyfans: The Change in Irish Attitudes towards Sex

“G

od doesn’t want people to have sexual intercourse

by Anna Lugard

before marriage.” This was the message of an Irish

educational video from the 1980s that recently went viral for its comically outdated description of sex. The video reached over 3.7 million viewers wen it was shared by Irish Youtuber jacksepticeye earlier this year.

Angela, the presenter of the video, opens with a prayer.

She then uses awkward hand gestures and a variety of euphemisms to desperately circumvent the topic of sex.

When Angela finally settles on a definition, she emphasises that sexual intercourse must only occur between a married husband and wife, for the sole purpose of reproduction. It is easy to see the humour in what feels like a caricature of rural Irish culture in the late 20th century. Half way through her explanation, Angela pauses to peer out her window and admire the cows grazing outside. The epitome of virtuous Irish chastity!

The video’s old-fashioned take on sex may seem laughable to the millions of viewers that it reached. However, not long ago this puritanical Catholic value system very much dictated Irish public morality, often with devastating effects. When Ireland gained independence in 1922, the Catholic Church was given tremendous power over health care and education.

Public opinion regarding sexuality and sexual health was very much based on religious doctrine. The Catholic Church

7

art by Jennifer Hill

also held sway over politics and legislation, resulting in a

used to surround the topic of sex have all but broken down.

variety of oppressive laws that limited sexual behaviour.

Ireland has become increasingly accepting of a wide range

Furthermore, sexual behaviour deemed immoral by the state

of sexual orientations and gender identities. In the 1990s,

was punished by institutionalisation. For the better half of

reconciliation with Northern Ireland in combination with

the 20th century, Catholic institutions such as asylums and

the boom of the Celtic Tiger led to a period of social and

mother and baby homes exercised state-subsidized control

economic improvement, while increased industrialisation

over Irish women who deviated from the sexual “norm.” This

and investment in Ireland enabled a more stable and socially

included women who conceived out of wedlock, but also

progressive society. This was reflected in Ireland’s effort

young women who were seen as troublesome or sexually

to gradually repeal and replace its archaic laws regarding

promiscuous.

sex and sexuality. In 1990, marital rape finally became

Fortunately, Ireland’s attitudes toward sex have undergone

criminalised. In 1993, homosexuality was decriminalised.

drastic changes in recent decades- the strict taboos that

Divorce was legalised in 1995. In 2018, Ireland voted to

culture decriminalise abortion. Between the

a taboo at the time by suggesting that

claims that sex and technology have

1990s and the present day, Ireland has

she enjoyed sex work, and promoting

become so intertwined, that by natural

made a spectacular leap from being an

it as a rewarding profession rather than

consequence more and more ordinary

extremely sexually repressive country

a desperate measure. This liberated,

people are choosing to create their own

to being one of the most progressive

pro-sex work approach has continued

online sexual content, for pleasure

and open-minded countries in the

to grow in popularity. In 2009, the Sex

and profit rather than out of necessity.

world.

Workers Alliance Ireland was formed

Professor Brian McNair expands

to give sex workers a voice, advocate

on this idea in his book “Striptease

for their rights and safety, and work

Culture” wherein he examines our

to reduce stigma. In 2017, Ireland

modern fixation on self-revelation and

implemented the client criminalisation

public exposure. Sex worker Marese

model where paying for sexual services

O’Shea’s 1997 memoir serves as an

is criminalised, but sex work itself is

example of the “mainstreaming” of

not.

sex and the beginning of “strip tease

Like many other professions, sex work

culture” even in the late 90s. However

with most

has expanded to the digital sphere. In

as Feona Atwood notes, these cultural

fact, the vast majority of sex work in

phenomena have truly exploded in the

Western

Ireland is carried out online. During

digital age, as evidenced by the spike in

the pandemic, many sex workers and

popularity of online sex work platforms

countries has

consumers sought to continue their

such as OnlyFans during the pandemic.

exchanges without the danger of in-

Youtube personality Keelin Moncrieff

undergone a

person interaction. As a result, there

is one of many popular figures who

was a tremendous boom in online sex

has contributed to the normalisation

‘mainstreaming’

work. Platforms such as OnlyFans saw

or “mainstreaming” of online sex

a huge increase in both subscribers and

work in Ireland. After amassing a

of sex

content creators. Even well-known

large following through her Youtube

celebrities such as Bella Thorne and

videos and Instagram page, Moncrieff

Cardi B have created accounts on the

started an OnlyFans account to help

A more recent development in Irish

platform where they charge a monthly

save up for a mortgage. Her reasoning

public morality is an increasing

subscription fee for access to exclusive,

for this, and the explanation she gave

acceptance and destigmatisation of

often sexual content.

her parents, is that she simply “won’t

sex work. In 1997, Irish author Marese

From a cultural perspective, Ireland

make as much money in any other

O’Shea published a memoir titled “The

along with most Western countries has

career”. Keelin, daughter of RTE

True Story of the Vice Queen’’, detailing

undergone a “mainstreaming” of sex.

columnist

her experiences as a sex worker and

This phenomena is described by author

Sean Moncrieff, exemplifies how sex

founder of an escort agency that in

and lecturer Feona Atwood, who claims

work has entered the mainstream

her own words “changed the face of

that sex is becoming increasingly

and become a relatively viable source

prostitution in Ireland.” O’Shea hailed

visible

influential.

of income even for women who are

from a middle class background and

Pornography is more accessible than

already financially stable. Moncrieff is

cited high wages, flexible working hours

ever due to the internet and has crept

an educated, empowered feminist who

and constant flattery as her reasons for

into

influencing

is hyperaware of the objectification of

pursuing sex work. O’Shea broke many

fashion, music, and art. Attwood

women and the perils of pornography.

“

From a cultural

perspective, Ireland along

and

popular

culturally

culture

and

radio

broadcaster

8

culture She is critical of Pornhub which she sees as corrupt and rife with revenge porn. On her OnlyFans account, Keelin posts reviews of sex toys, discusses consent, and provides her subscribers with detailed explanations of how to arouse women. Keelin’s progressive approach to online sex work has clearly appealed to a wide audience. She currently has 66.3 thousand OnlyFans subscribers, more than three times the number of students enrolled at Trinity College. Remarkably, over 60% of them are female, which is testament to Keelin’s commitment to creating content that goes beyond pandering to the male gaze.

Educated middle-class content creators like Keelin represent the “new respectability” of sex work in Irish society. Nonetheless, they remain a minority in the sex work industry. Many less privileged creators (who form the majority of the online sex work community) are equally working to subvert the narrative that women in sex work are helpess victims. In an interview with youtuber Jorda Hendy, Dublin sex worker Kayla (who works under the name Bilquis Moon) describes how her OnlyFans page makes her feel strong and independent. It also provides her with a steady increase in income. Kayla finds it “completely empowering doing sex work, you’re in control of your own body, you have your own say.” Much like Moncrieff, she notes that OnlyFans presents a healthier, more realistic version of sex than traditional pornographic websites.

Unfortunately, sex work is not all roses and female empowerment. Even the most adamant advocates for the mainstream acceptance of sex work admit that sex workers face a wide range of challenges that can cause serious harm.

In her 1997 memoir, Marese O’Shea acknowledges the potential for violence in the industry, and describes how she

9

art by Catherine Ding

faced as one of the first big OnlyFans creators in the West

of Ireland. She also mentions an incident where one of her videos was leaked, resulting in public embarrassment and a loss of profits, as people were viewing her content for free.

In these situations, online sex workers remain relatively powerless to stand up for themselves and protect their privacy.

Ireland’s vibrant sexual landscape today is a far cry from the puritanical society that outlawed contraception and produced the mother and baby homes. From the election of a gay Taoiseach in 2017, to the mainstream popularity of online feminist sex workers like Keelin Moncrieff, Ireland has positioned itself at the forefront of sexual liberation. Despite

witnessed many women “coming out of poverty, completely

this, there are still changes that need to be made to improve

abusing themselves, not using protection, having no control

the rights and safety of sex workers, women, and queer and

over their lives.” While creating online content has allowed

trans people. Relics of Ireland’s more conversative years,

sex workers to mitigate some of the dangers posed by in-

like Angela’s 1980s sex education video, can serve as both a

person work, they still face a whole host of issues that

humbling reminder of our recent past, and as encouraging

threaten their safety and privacy. During her interview, sex

proof of how far we have come. Let it also be an opportunity

worker Kayla describes the shame and ostracisation she

to reflect on how far we have yet to go.

culture

Social Media and Covid-19: Hidden by a mask, heightened by a screen

W

by Sophie Coffey

hen we talk of social media, we often talk of

It was not long before the novelty of our first lockdown

accessibility- accessibility to instant news,

wore off. The platforms where we once shared heartfelt

pertinent updates, immediate gratification. After all,

videos of neighbourhood bingo became the very same

whether it is in a pocket or clutched in our hands, as

places we shared photos of social distancing breaches

individuals we hold our connection to these platforms

or prohibited gatherings. The anti-vax movement was

close to us nearly all the time. It has never been easier

armed with Facebook accounts while a mindless scroll

to form and hold connections to these apps. And yet, it is

on Tik-Tok now incurred the risk of stumbling upon a

paradoxical to suggest that we maintain a hold on social

politician’s account. Twitter was flooded with entries

media. In reality, the power that these platforms hold

to the, ‘you can’t complain because we had it worst’

over us and our lives is far more significant.

competition. Simultaneously, Instagram continued to

The link between individuals and their

art by SÍOFRA DROHAN

social media is not a hold that is going away any time soon. On the contrary, it appears to be only intensifying. In March 2020 the outside world shut down and we replaced our human, in-person interaction with online alternatives.

Our new life appeared to be worlds away from its 2019 predecessor. And in many ways it was an entirely new world, only this time it was one that existed primarily within a screen. We took to this new online lifestyle with childlike naivete. The social media accounts that we turned to were full of light-hearted escapism and a giddy form of humour. Memes about toilet roll and working-from-home were recycled through Facebook and WhatsApp groups. On Instagram and Twitter, Tiger King debates and banana breads fought for space in the trending charts. Older generations were introduced to new relatives through video calls and caught up with family members for Zoom quizzes. Isolated from one another, we clung instead to the social media apps that brought us a sense of reality even in the most unrealistic of times.

display a highlight reel of those who claimed to be thriving.

As reflected in every element of our pre-pandemic lives, Covid-19 changed the way we use social media. No longer is it merely an additional dimension to our current mould

of

socialisation.

Instead, a new mould has been shaped, with social media granted its own substantial role in the progression and interaction of our society.

Suddenly social media was more than a platform on which to share birthday tributes or holiday selfies (vacation snaps unsurprisingly in short supply). Instead it became a platform upon which small movements could position themselves and expand. It became a platform upon which a message could be instantaneously shared and spread. It became the platform that enabled and supported the amplification of justice. In the wake of the racially charged murder of George Floyd, the hashtag BlackLivesMatter trended on a global scale. The movement promoted conversations that while initiated on a social media app, facilitated further reaching consequences away from the online sphere.

Months later information about Palestinian oppression

10

culture was shared across social media platforms, alongside

indicating a significant rise in the use of social media

details of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions

platforms.

(BDS) movement. Closer to home the Abolish Direct

As with any platform available to the public, social

Provision campaign has used its online presence to raise

media is inexorably tinged by the public mood. As

awareness. Social media enables the communication of

restrictions and case numbers rose, tempers and

multimedia stories through the efficient distribution of

patience dwindled. Vitriol from self-professed virology

infographics, images and first person accounts alongside

experts was aimed at NPHET on Twitter, even as

links to news articles and journalist reports. Twitter and

government ministers scrambled to contain leaks over

Instagram in particular have become focal points for this

public health announcements. A sudden emphasis on

new form of virtual protest. Through the origin of social

digital marketing and social media PR became a focus

media, a rallying resource has been created that spans

for both corporations and political administrations. The

political, geographical and generational borders. Most

primary campaigning in the 2021 Dublin Bay South by-

importantly, it is a pivotal form of protest that shows no

election took place remotely while the appointment of

“

Social media offers a chance for politicians to campaign and also further facilitates the public’s opportunity to complain

Linda Doyle as Trinity’s first female provost was a similarly online affair.

This

movement

away

from

traditional election processes may be what is required to encourage greater youth engagement in politics.

However, it is an opportunity that will be missed if those undertaking election campaigns overlook the power of social media. The internet is teeming with short-term fads and

signs of decelerating.

trends but there is no doubt that the mark made by social

Across multiple lockdowns we stayed inside to prevent

media will continue to be reinforced in both the political

the spread of an infectious disease. Instead of viral

and public domains.

illnesses we spread vital messages, justice on national

Social media offers a chance for politicians to campaign

and international scales, humanitarian causes and

and also further facilitates the public’s opportunity to

movements to support marginalised groups. Again and

complain. In August 2020 the details of a guideline-

again social media rose to the occasion, highlighting

breaching Oireachtas Golf Society dinner trended across

issues more effectively than traditional campaigns had

social media platforms. The accountability and desire

the capacity to achieve.

for a response to public anger required the use of public

It does not take a mathematician to understand why.

platforms. In particular the intensity and scrutiny that

A report published by the communications watchdog

faced those who attended ‘Golfgate’ was made possible

ComReg offers insight into how the pandemic has

by independent platforms that offered individuals a

affected our use of social media in Ireland. In April 2020,

chance to assert their beliefs. Public pressure can be

56% of those surveyed reported that they were spending

applied by anyone with a social media account and from

more time on social media than they had done prior to

any location with a WiFi signal.

the pandemic. While this statistic dropped five percent

Stark statistics reported in Deloitte Ireland’s Digital

in response to the same question in November 2020,

Consumer Trends 2020 indicated that 32% of people

the positive response rate remained over the 50% mark

look at their phones at least 50 times a day. They also note

11

culture

that 17% of people check their phones at least 200 times

relating to Covid-19 but cannot detect and appropriately

a day or on average once every 7.2 minutes. Statistics

respond to prejudiced and abusive language? In the

like these provide a more troubling side to the jokes

UK, Marcus Rashford earned acclaim and praise across

about falling down “black holes” of YouTube videos or

social media for his work raising awareness and funds to

Tik-Tok “for you pages.” It may seem harmless to enable

provide free school meals for children. Only months later

auto-play on Tik-Tok but the vacuum of social media

his very same social media channels were inundated with

can carry far more dangerous effects. The amplification

racist abuse following a missed penalty during the Euro

of social media accounts can be commended for its role

2020 final.

in public awareness and protest. However, a concurrent

Social media unites and divides in equal measure. Efforts

rise in misinformation and fake news indicates an added

by individual account users to contribute to the site in a

danger. In recent years content posted to Facebook has

positive way are inhibited by the inadequate responses

been associated with conspiracy theories and the spread

of tech corporations who can control and impact these

of dangerous rhetoric. As the pandemic has progressed,

apps on a much larger scale. The use of social media

so too has the focus of the reporting. Dialogue around

during the pandemic has been accelerated at a pace that

Covid-19 has moved on to include discussion relating to

demonstrates no signs of slowing down.

the vaccine. Posts claiming that the vaccine provides 5G

Whether it was behind masks, screens or rose-tinted

and is a government tracking device were among the most

glasses, 2020 and 2021 have been years that have both

popular untrue declarations. Mark Zuckerberg’s tech

concealed and illuminated. Our prior use of social media

giant employs fact-checkers to manage misinformation

has been transformed into a reliance on our access to

on the site but with almost 1.9 billion people logging onto

these apps. This accessibility of social media is perhaps

Facebook daily in the second quarter of 2021, the volume

its greatest triumph and also closest defeat. While we

of potentially harmful content requires greater focus.

hold our devices in our hands the opportunity persists to

A contribution by Facebook to manage misinformation

take advantage of the apps facilitating platforms for social

on the site involves a detection of certain words or

justice and global connection. However, if social media

phrases relating to the coronavirus. This is an important

continues to entrench itself in our day to day lives at such

step for the company to introduce but it also raises an

a rapid rate, we must only hope that we can keep up. After

additional question, why can one of the world’s largest

all, the further the drop, the deeper the crack to the screen.

tech companies create an algorithm that can target words

12

politics

End of an Era: The race to replace Angela Merkel

T

he

forthcoming

by Terence Donovan

German

assume the various party leader

co-leader Annalena Baerbock as

in

late

nomination. Since the spring of

their candidate for Chancellor.

September will be the first election

2021, the key contenders from

German voters, long considered

in

does

the three major parties have been

champions of continuity, must

not feature Angela Merkel as a

confirmed. Merkel’s conservative

decide whether they favour the

leading candidate for Chancellor.

Christian

Union

retention of the status quo or

Campaign

have

(CDU) eventually selected Armin

comprehensive changes to their

intimated that voters face an epoch-

Laschet, premier of North Rhine-

political

Federal

sixteen

Election years

which

candidates

defining choice as to how the nation not only emerges from a once-in a generation pandemic but also, whether Germany should continue its adherence to a stable political status quo or whether the existing

Democratic

configuration

Westphalia after a bruising battle

coming four years.

with Bavarian premier Markus

Laschet,

Söder. Their coalition partners, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) re-nominated

Vice-Chancellor

the

CDU

for

the

candidate,

is premier of one of Germany’s most populous regions with a long association with German industry

and finance minister Olaf Scholz

and energy reserves. The region’s

despite the candidate losing the

coal fields and steel production

party leadership race to a more

were

progressive rival in previous years.

Germany’s post-war recovery and

Finally, after decades of being

Laschet firmly placed the concerns

The election began with a series

viewed as a meagre junior coalition

of his constituents in making his

of intra-party primary races to

partner, the Green Party selected

case for the party leadership. The

parties

of

government

should

be replaced by those who would redefine the duties performed by the federal government.

13

synonymous

with

West

politics CDU have a near two-decade record in office to extol

fuel firms as an impediment to the goal of phasing out

their virtues to voters, their experience navigating

coal over the next decade and the party have committed

the period known as the Great Recession has been

to accelerating the policy to be completed before

expounded throughout the campaign as one reason to

the existing aim of 2038. The party has committed

trust the CDU to continue leading the post-pandemic

to a series of reforms to the structure of the federal

economic recovery. However, voter concerns presaged

government, ranging from a designated Ministry of

Covid-19 as the German economy was in the midst of a

Climate protection to a sudden halt to state subsidies

sustained period of lacklustre economic expansion and

for fossil fuel enterprises. These policies measures

German industry was perceived as anachronistic, with

have drawn derision from opposing party leaders and

little appetite for modernisation.

may have contributed to the decline in Green support

“

Primacy of the pandemic in daily life, rise in climate consciousness exemplified by the recent flooding and the tangible concerns over the raising of the national pension age superseded prior electoral concerns over immigration concerns over immigration

within more moderate voter segments, but these have given an intimation of how the party expects to govern.

The

recent

floods

the

Northwest

in

which

killed over a hundred people brought climate concerns to the fore.

Armin Laschet’s apparent

For the past eight years, The SDP have been members

chuckle during a sombre press conference concerning

of the Merkel government in a ‘grand coalition’;

the fatalities immediately drew widespread public

their leader Olaf Scholz is the sole survivor from the

condemnation and brought into the public sphere

period where the party headed the government as the

questions over the premier’s suitability to the

largest party under Gerhard Schröder. The centrist

chancellorship. Instead of using the tragic events to

Scholz remained the steadfast defender of the party’s

demand greater climate legislation, the Greens have

contributions to the outgoing government and the

remained reserved in an implicit acknowledgment

Vice-Chancellor has cited his role in the distribution

of the fact that disaster planning for towns is chiefly

of Covid relief as proof of his credentials to head an

performed by local governments. This has allowed the

SPD government. In breaking with their conservative

spotlight to return to Olaf Scholz, whose position as

partners, Scholz has attempted to find a middle ground

Vice Chancellor has made the SDP candidate the face

between the two other main parties by championing

of the existing government’s allocation of relief funds

expansive welfare programmes, promoting Germany’s

to the worst affected areas.

energy interests, and reasserting German pre-

Despite these candidates attempting to depict

dominance in directing the policy direction of the EU.

themselves as committed to improving the nation’s

The Greens lack the governmental experience of

economic shortcomings, there has been growing voter

their rivals. After Merkel, Baerbock is only the second

discontent with the leading candidates and no polling

feasible candidate for the position and the co-leader has

suggests that any party has sufficient support to govern

remonstrated her opponents as the living embodiments

without coalition partners. The resurgence of the

of a status-quo which has been intact for nearly two

libertarian Free Democrats party has added to the

decades. Baerbock scolded Laschet’s close ties to fossil

myriad of possible governing coalitions.

14

politics The Free Democrats’ penchant for

(AFD) resulted in nearly ninety

as only covering a portion of their

privatisation and tax cuts for high

seats for a party which epitomised

retirement lifestyle.

earners makes them the natural

most voters’ disapproval. This

partners for Laschet’s CDU in

does not appear to have been

The recently touted ‘Ampel’ or

a ‘Black/Yellow’ coalition but

replicated

polling has not indicated that both

electoral cycle which may dampen

parties would command a majority

their

together.

leader

Primacy of the pandemic in daily

previously

life, rise in climate consciousness

walked out of coalition talks after

exemplified by the recent flooding

the 2017 election due to red lines

and the tangible concerns over the

regarding tax policy and fears over

raising of the national pension age

an insignificant influence over the

have superseded prior electoral

legislative agenda. Secondly, the

concerns over immigration.

Greens have based their climate

With twenty percent of the German

Christian

The

FDP’s

Lindner

“

in

electoral

the

subsequent performance.

The debate over the role of the state has been hotly contested as it must be viewed within the context of the immense role played in shaping policy played by regional government across Germany

investment programmes as paid

population over sixty-five, greater

for by creating a new forty-eight

pressures have been placed on the

percent tax bracket for wealthy

existing state pension scheme.

Germans which led Lindner to rule

When the modern system was

out serving in any coalition with

created in its current iteration in

Baerbock’s party.

the seventies, pensioners simply

The 2017 election was largely

were not expected to live as long

characterised

as

a

reprimand

by the electorate of the Merkel government’s immigration policies, which facilitated the migration of hundreds of thousands of refugees into Germany. The rise of the farright Alternative for Deutschland

15

and thereby receive the pension for an average of fifteen years for men and nineteen years for women. An Ipsos/Deutsche Bank survey found fifty percent of pensioners expect the system will eventually collapse and seventy-five percent viewed it

‘traffic light’ coalition between the Greens, SDP and FDP has been cited as an anti-conservative bloc which would accelerate the liberalisation of Germany’s existing legislation

concerning

social

matters, having relatively recently legalised

same-sex

marriage.

The three parties broadly favour progressing in the legalisation of marijuana which has been rejected by the CDU and Laschet alike. The Free Democrats have favoured a wholesale privatisation of key elements of the social safety net to ease the fiscal burden on the state.

The debate over the role of the state has been hotly contested as it must be viewed within the context of the immense role played in shaping policy played by regional governments

across

Germany.

While all three traffic light parties share similar positions on social matters,

the

parties

possess

diametrically opposed views over how best to bring Germany out of the pandemic and the nature of its economic agenda thereby leaving this coalition less likely to become a reality.

Both Laschet’s CDU and Scholz’s SDP share the same foreign policy record for the past eight years. Both leaders are committed Europhiles, while Laschet reaffirmed his party’s desire for a tightening of covid expenditure once the pandemic has subsided in a move deemed

politics

analogous to the position held by Merkel towards the

with China due to human rights abuses, and to force a

countries who required bailouts from the IMF and

greater embrace of clean energy and the dismantling

Troika. The Green party has positioned itself as the

of the nation’s burgeoning coal plant network. The

counter-force to the two-party coalitions as it vies for

party delivered a similar diatribe against the EU for

an EU-wide sixty euro per tonne carbon tax.

their recent trade agreement with the PRC. Baerbock

The Greens have aligned themselves as the most

has pushed for a re-evaluation of EU trade laws with

compatible party with the new Biden administration to

nations which do not share its values and a bloc-wide

combat the climate crisis and work with the US to form

minimum standards in production of goods to maintain

a bi-lateral alliance to create greater co-operation on

the push for carbon reduction.

areas of shared concerns. This was best exemplified

The three main parties vying for the chancellorship

by the Nord Stream II gas pipeline; first proposed

and the Free Democrats as a coalition partner will

by former SDP Chancellor Gerhart Schröder and

shape the next German Government. Polling strongly

continued under Merkel’s successive governments.

suggests that the SPD will return to the Bundestag as

The pipeline’s dependency on Russian gas has faced

the largest party, but it is not necessarily guaranteed

condemnation by critics of the Putin regime who cite

that Olaf Sholz will be the next chancellor. The Greens’

clear breeches in law during the invasion of Crimea

performance will determine the extent to which

and the recent imprisonment of Alexei Navalny. The

they could lead a traffic light coalition, or whether

Greens have expressed their wish for the project to

they could extract policy concessions from a Black/

be abandoned, while both Scholz and Laschet had

Green coalition with their CDU rivals and create a

minimised concerns over the Russian government’s

mutual power dynamic, rather than the typical senior/

prior conduct by suggesting that the pipeline could be

junior coalition as exists presently. In addition to the

switched off were the situation in Eastern Europe to

Greens, the CDU’s post-election sentiments will be

worsen.

key as to whether its members are content to remain

Similarly, the German government’s relationship with

in government or favour becoming the leading party of

China, its main trading partner, emerged as another

opposition. Ultimately, the German election will be a

hotly contested area in framing the direction of the

plebiscite as to whether voters desire a continutation of

federal government. The Greens attacked the CDU

the status quo, a right-leaning coalition, or alternatively

and SDP’s conciliatory stance in maintaining strong

whether the three main socially liberal parties can

economic ties with the Chinese state. The Greens

overcome their differences to end the CDU’s sixteen-

have advocated for a halt to further trade agreements

year tenure in office.

16

politics

Unionism Divided:

The Downfall of the DUP and the Polarisation of Unionism

by David Wolfe

W

hile there are numerous flashpoints from which one could begin to trace the emergence of turmoil in the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), beginning perhaps as far back as the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the EU in 2016, the tipping point which set the party hurtling down its current trajectory came about on April 27.

On that date 23 of the DUP’s 28 MLAs, as well as a majority of its Westminster MPs, signed a letter of no confidence in Arlene Foster. The following day, Foster announced her resignation, sparking a turbulent series of events which would reveal bitter internal divisions in a party desperate to maintain its dominant position in Northern politics.

The ensuing leadership contest, the first in the DUP’s history, saw Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots secure the position over Lagan Valley MP, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson by a slim margin of 19 votes to 17. A disastrous period of discreet meetings and a lack of transparency saw Poots follow the same path as his predecessor a mere three weeks later. Donaldson subsequently took the helm uncontested, becoming the third leader of the party in as many months. Northern Ireland’s leading unionist party was anything but united.

That this tumultuous series of events early in the summer signalled a more fundamental crisis in the DUP was clear to many. The unpalatable Brexit package which placed a trade barrier down the Irish Sea was one significant catalyst of unionist

17

anger, stirring dissent within the party. By leaving Northern Ireland more aligned with the rest of the EU than with Great Britain, Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal was a betrayal for the DUP who, alone of Stormont’s major parties, championed Brexit as a means of bringing Ulster closer to the rest of the UK. It seems they were left with the opposite outcome. Reeling from this symbolic loss and feeling the pressure from the party grassroots, DUP Assembly members pushed against the leadership whom they felt had failed by accepting

politics

Statue of Edward Carson, founder of the Ulster Unionist Party, in Front of Stormont an Irish Sea border. By making a scapegoat of elections. Now polls are even more stark; Foster, party representatives saw the opportunity LucidTalk’s latest figures, released on 28 August, to keep voters on side and minimise losses at the exactly four months after Foster’s resignation, ballot box.

Such concerns for the party’s electoral prospects were indeed justified. Polls conducted in the weeks following Foster’s announcement of her

show the DUP at an astonishing 13%, surpassed by its two rival unionist parties. Startlingly for unionists of all stripes, were an election to be held in the near future, Michelle O’Neill would become

resignation showed that the party had suffered First Minister, while the DUP would find itself a significant blow, receiving only 16% of voters’ well out of reach of even the position of deputy first preferences in LucidTalk’s quarterly ‘tracker’ First Minister. This represents a seismic shift in poll, a dramatic fall from 28.1% in 2017 Assembly

the political landscape of Northern Ireland.

18

politics What it interesting about this is that although it crowns Sinn Féin the biggest party in Northern Ireland, were each unionist entity to coalesce and stand for election as a block, they would still hold the balance of power in Stormont – a combined 43% share of the vote to Sinn Féin’s 25% according to the poll. The obstacle to their success, however, and the key to Sinn Féin’s, is that this unionist plurality is split three ways: between the historically hegemonic Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), the currently-in-crisis DUP, and the rapidly growing Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV).

Until now a merely peripheral presence in Stormont, with party leader Jim Allister its only MLA, TUV has soared in popularity. Its phenomenal surge from 2.9% in 2017 to 14% in the most recent poll indicates that it is there that a large proportion of former DUP voters are migrating. In their own words, “TUV was formed in December 2007 to give voice to Traditional Unionists throughout Northern Ireland who reject unrepentant terrorists at the heart of government and who feel betrayed by those who ushered them into government.” In refusing to “sacrifice their principles for power” by supporting power-sharing with Sinn Féin, Jim Allister and the TUV are vocal reminders that the DUP did just that, altering its stance on the Good Friday Agreement in order to take office. For this reason, despite a common unionist identity, and near identical socially conservative platform, no such coalition between the DUP and TUV is realistic.

Though the UUP have enjoyed less transferred support than Jim Allister’s party, their superior status prior to the DUP’s downfall has meant that a relatively moderate growth in popularity has pushed them over the line to become the largest unionist entity in the Assembly. The party’s newfound support can be attributed to the direction taken by its new leader, Doug Beattie, its share of the poll rising by 2% in each of the two polls since his accession. Beattie, who officially became leader of the party the very day before Foster announced

19

“

To usurp the DUP as the dominant force within unionism is no insignificant achievement for a mere four months as leader

politics her resignation, promised to reach out to people of Northern Ireland, “regardless of…religion, sexual orientation or ethnicity.” His more liberal brand of unionism seemingly attracted a small portion of DUP defectors who wished to take a step to the left of their former party. However, it is entirely at odds with the philosophies of its counterparts in the DUP and TUV, both of which entirely oppose gay marriage, and actively defend the practice of conversion therapy, Foster’s neutral stance on the latter having been a deciding factor of her downfall.

As such, unionism remains splintered and unable to form a united bloc which would prevent Sinn Féin becoming the largest party in the Assembly and holding the position of first minister.

In the wake of Brexit, there was growing evidence that a proportion of liberal-minded protestants had taken their leave of the DUP and were instead gravitating towards the political centre-ground.

The 2019 council elections were the triumph of the Alliance Party, which though traditionally predominantly protestant, characterises itself as being neutral on the union, and stood in favour of remaining in the EU. At those elections, Alliance more than doubled its vote, at the time making it the North’s third largest political party. Additionally, deputy leader Stephen Farry won the Westminster constituency of North Down, which despite a substantial unionist majority, voted to remain by 52% to 48% in 2016. At EU elections the same

identity image of the Alliance Party. If this was a deliberate move, it is one worthy of major political admiration. In doing so he removed the threat that Alliance posed as a refuge for disillusioned DUP supporters, and instead remade the UUP as a haven where protestants could retain their unionist identity as well as embracing slightly more progressive politics. To usurp the DUP as the dominant force within unionism is no insignificant achievement for a mere four months as leader.

The dramatic decline of the DUP has resulted in not only the disunity of a political party, but in the severe polarisation of an entire political identity into three distinct camps. While the UUP may lead marginally, TUV and the ‘rump’ of the DUP do not trail far behind. It is entirely possible that the outcome of Assembly elections in May will lead to the suspension of Stormont. In fact, Allister has suggested that the Unionist parties should collectively agree to refuse to nominate a Unionist as Deputy First Minister, should Sinn Fein become the largest party in Stormont at the next election.

While the unionist factions may be unable to reach a compromise which allows one of their own to remain First Minister, denying Sinn Féin the opportunity may be more easily agreed upon, even if it meant the implementation of direct rule from Westminster. Indeed, the maintenance of

year (the UK’s last as a member state), the UUP British rule rather than a Republican government lost its seat to Alliance, one of three Northern Irish is the very soul of unionism, and is therefore a seats in the European parliament. likely outcome of recent political developments.

All of this indicated that Alliance may indeed be Whether or not a government is formed, an attracting the support of the not-insignificant election which crowned Sinn Féin the largest party minority of moderate unionists who backed in the Northern Assembly would nonetheless be a Remain in 2016. Betrayed by Westminster, and historic defeat for unionism – a defeat which will disillusioned with the DUP, many protestants were truly mark a new era for Northern politics. seeking a new political safehouse. Deliberately or otherwise, Beattie saw these voters on the market and scrupulously remodelled the UUP (who themselves opposed Brexit) in the liberal, multi-

20

economy

The Housing Crisis:

F

Market Failure or Global Phenomenon?

by Catherine Forristal

or many people, the reality of the housing crisis - sky-rocketing rents, evictions, and lack of affordable housing - also means the inability to have a real place to call home. Property and land ownership have strong cultural significance in postcolonial Ireland.

In a culture where ownership of land and property has been hailed as essential to human personhood and fundamental to selfdetermination, this consistent failure to provide adequate and affordable housing has, quite literally, locked a generation out of Ireland.

It is common k n o w l e d g e that the Irish housing market is at breaking point. Countless promises of affordable housing from the government have been made to the Irish people since 2009. However, the future of the housing market remains unclear. The Central Bank of Ireland estimates that Ireland must build 34,000 new homes each year for the next ten years in order to keep up with demand. However, according to Tom Hayes, Chief Executive of Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking, this gap between supply and

21

demand will not close for at least the next five years.

The Budget 2021 allocated €3.3 billion for housing delivery, with a target of building just under 13,000 homes, which also expands on the Programme for Government (PfG) commitment to a 50,000 increase in housing stock over the Government’s lifetime. However, the construction of private housing does not necessarily equate to meaningful change, nor is this an indicator of affordability.

As Dr. Rory Hearne, professor of social policy at Maynooth University, puts it, “It is not all about supply- It is about the type of supply.”

Moreover, a recent report from Irish Institutional Property has indicated that the housing market needs €16bn in investment each year if the housing crisis is to be tatckled effectively.

Ronan Lyons, the property economist behind this report, has declared that 50,000 homes need to be built each year in Ireland in order to “reflect the country’s demographics”. This report also predicts that this funding would have to be sourced from global investors, which, according to Dr. Hearne, art by Jennifer Hill

economy is part of the problem.

clearly going to be ineffective.”

The vacant site levy and Land Development Agency (LDA), introduced in 2015 and 2018 Dr. Hearne, along with many other policy analysts, respectively, aimed to free up unused land for have consistently criticized wider government housing and encouraged vacant land to be bought policy since 2010 which aimed to encourage global and developed. investors and vulture However, Dermot O’Leary, Chief Economist at funds to discharge Goodbody Stockbrokers, has commented that toxic Tpreviously. these initiatives have been implemented “rather This agency aimed meekly […] the LDA has been slow off the mark, to relieve major Irish with some State agencies seemingly reluctant to banks of their property allow it to interfere with their land holdings. It is loans and manage the unlikely that it will supply homes to the market debts of borrowers, in scale for quite some time. A greater urgency is taking over their required.”

Are we trying to remedy the symptoms of the problem rather than the cause?

“

Are we trying to remedy the symptoms of the problem rather than the cause?

properties if they were unable to keep up with their payments. Once the property market began to recover, NAMA began selling these loans to developers.

In short, the establishment of the Land Development Agency has not been without flaws.

This consistent disconnect between the LDA, local councils and other organs of government has meant delays punctuate each minor success.

Ultimately, while these initiatives were created with the right intentions and have resulted in some While rising rents were seen as promising signs of regional success, it is clear that there must be more recovery of the property market, the implications consistent and thorough implementation of these of these policies are still felt today, evident with laws in order to reduce delays in the delivery of vulture funds hoarding land originally purchased social housing. from NAMA, and global investors such as Ires Furthermore, according to the Oireachtas’ Reit raising rents exponentially and competing Parliamentary Budget Office (OPBO), €2.3 with potential first-time buyers. million due under the vacant site levy were According to an article from the Irish Times, outstanding at the end of the year, while just these so-called “cuckoo funds” bought a fifth of all €882,000 had been collectedt by local councils.

This is believed to have been caused by ambiguity homes purchased in 2017.

“The level of housing need and distress is over three surrounding the definition of a “vacant site”, along times the current waiting lists. If you include those with issues in the administration of changes in homeless, on housing lists, in receipt of Rental land ownership.

Accommodation Scheme (RAS) and Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), home owners in long term arrears and renters with unaffordable housing costs and in buy-to-lets in arrears, it is a total of 270,000 households (likely to be over half a million people). When policies continue to deny and underestimate the real scale of need they are

This vicious cycle of half-hearted attempts to remedy the effects of this overwhelming crisis has been summarised by last year’s report from the National Economic and Social Council: “Without a change in the system, we are condemned to an endless sequence of isolated measures that seek to generate a little more viability, a slight

22

economy reduction in risk, a marginal increase in supply, a slightly higher share of affordable housing and a minor shift from greenfield to brownfield development”.

It is also impossible to discuss the current housing crisis without also addressing the current rates of homelessness. Focus Ireland have released figures that indicate that over 8,000 families are officially homeless as of July 2021. This figure has increased by 232% since July 2014.

For many homelessness campaigners and advocates, the discourse surrounding the housing crisis and the economy need to have those affected at its centre- Dr. Rory Hearne says that these human stories need to be told alongside theoretical and economic arguments. Without this human

right to dignity, security and life itself”.

For Irish people under British rule, the deprivation of land and the inability to own property were intrinsically linked with their oppression and subordination. Irrespective of this complex cultural history, legal scholars such as Margaret Jane Radin argue that the ownership of property is essential in human self-development and fulfillment. Furthermore, the United Nations has criticised the current global property market, stating that: “Housing has been financialised: valued as a commodity rather than a human dwelling, it has become, for investors, a means to secure and accumulate wealth rather than a place to live in dignity, to raise a family and thrive within a

dimension, it can be easy to detach from the very real struggle that much of the Irish population currently face: “Deprivations of the right to adequate housing are not just programme failures or policy challenges but human rights violations of the highest order, depriving those affected of the most basic human

community...”

In a strange way, it could be argued that the Irish government has turned this complex history on its head. Rather than an external force locking the Irish people out from their homes, it is now our own leaders who have thrown away the key.

23

Source: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland

economy

I

Universal Basic Income: Tackling Poverty Head On

by Eoin USSHER

f you were following the news in the second

is reaching a crisis point. The situation is in fact so bad

weekend of August, you may have seen an absolutely

in parts of the US that the average life expectancy is now

transformative piece of news for the average US citizen:

lower than Cuba, a country the US has imposed vicious

The value of the federal food stamp was increased by

blockades on for decades. President Biden warned that

25%. The federal food stamp is an incredibly important

the US has fallen behind its main rival, China, quite

piece of US social security. If increasing social services,

frequently during his first hundred days. This warning

especially the ones that combat poverty, are to be a part

is seen as a symbolic opening stanza for his presidency.

of policy in the next few years then the conversation

He lamented that America’s roads and rail network

needs to get serious about universal basic income

simply cannot compete with what the Chinese are

(UBI). UBI has been one of the most visible debates

developing, and is pushing a Bipartisan Infrastructure

in the last three to four years of political discussion,

bill, among others, to close the gap. However, the US

with definitions remaining relatively fluid, and several

is rapidly falling behind in other key areas. China has

countries implementing UBI trials. The discussion

outstripped the US terms of GDP (purchasing power

centers around three things: Is this the answer to the

parity). China will likely have the largest middle class

economic inequality crisis? Why is it necessary, here in

in the world, with an estimated 1.2 billion people being

Ireland and abroad? Why start with the United States?

considered part of it by 2027. Finally, and perhaps most

The US is perhaps the most important battleground

importantly, the US is so far behind China in regards to

in regards to UBI. Despite being one of the wealthiest

food poverty that there are now Chinese ad campaigns

nations on the planet, it suffers from high levels of

asking for Chinese donations to help feed hungry

economic inequality, with access to many basic services

Americans.

being out of reach for those unable to afford them. This

This is where food stamps enter the equation. Right now,

24

economy the best weapon the US has to combat starvation – not

drugs, tobacco, and alcohol by 39 percent on average,

poverty, but starvation – is the US federal food stamp,

and increased spending on food, clothes, and rent,

a resource which about 16% of children in the US are

according to self-reports.” This is evidence that cash

dependent on. With a trillion dollars no longer devoted

transfers improve people’s lives. Imagine what a

to a winless, imperialist war in Afghanistan, the US

thousand Canadian dollars a month could have done.

would do well to invest some of that money in poverty

Similarly, let’s look at what some commentators have

alleviation programmes, and particular consideration

called the only existing UBI system in the world: The

should be given to the idea of universal basic income.

Alaskan oil-funded Permanent Fund Dividend. Every

The US, and indeed, the rest of the world, could put a

year since 1982, the Alaska state government

serious dent in the extraordinary economic inequality

has granted somewhere between nine

figures that we are seeing with UBI. That is, of course,

hundred and two thousand dollars

“

It is vital that we develop an alternative to simply cutting off these workers that have been squeezed out of jobs

if governments around

once a year as a non-means

the globe can overcome

tested transfer to Alaskan

conservative

people.

politics

and corporate lobbyists.

an

For example, the Irish

conservative

Business and Employers

state in the US,

Confederation (IBEC),

dominated by

the

Republicans.

largest

lobbying

The

home

said that UBI would

of

Sarah

“undermine our current

Palin

active

market

conservative

policies”, which would

heaven, yet

“result in labour supply

they

challenges

implemented

labour

and

could

diminish overall labour

a

cost competitiveness in

UBI.

the economy.”

has

However, the reality is that people simply do not spend money on vices

We are often told that you should not give money to the homeless, that a lot of homeless people suffer from addiction issues and will inevitably spend the money you give them on drugs and alcohol. As with many myths about homeless people, research simply doesn’t back this up. A Canadian study which gave a sample of homeless people in an urban area 7,500 CAD found that the outcome for them were incredibly positive: “[The homeless participants] decreased spending on

is

incredibly

group in Ireland has

and pointless goods when they are in desperate need.

25

Alaska

is

have form

of

Research shown

that

this does not hurt employment, in fact it seems to have a positive effect on part-time employment, nor does it lead to the feared hyperinflation scenario or mass spending on substances like tobacco or alcohol. These typical anti-welfare arguments fail to hold up against UBI, at least in the US. In some industries, the discussion around UBI is becoming a necessity for society as a whole. In the US, the most common job in 29 of the 50 states is listed as ‘truck driver’. NPR, who compiled one of these lists, summarized why: “Driving a truck has been immune

to two of the biggest trends

affecting

U.S.

jobs: globalization and automation. A worker in China can’t drive a truck in Ohio, and machines

can’t

drive

cars.” Of course, they had to follow this

economy

“

In the next few decades we are going to be in a position where a lot of industries have simply disappeared and their workers have nowhere to go” children in poverty. To center the truck driving

with the crucial word: “Yet”. We are

example in Ireland, we have about 20,000 people

inevitably going to live to see

employed in this industry, according to the Ten-year

the development of AI that

Strategy for the Haulage Sector, First Consultation

can fulfil these roles.

Document produced during the last government. It is

When this happens,

vital that we develop an alternative to simply cutting

and

when

this

off these workers that have been squeezed out of jobs.

technology

gets

We must find a way to ensure that people have a basic

rolled out, we

fallback upon which to rely when the great shift in the

will see the

next industrial revolution hits, or we end up with a

collapse

of

homeless crisis stemming from a larger root problem

many

job

than housing supply. Our economy needs innovation

sectors,

on a scale it simply never has before. Plenty of schemes

such as the

similar to UBI have been promoted here. Despite what

truck driving

IBEC believes, it is clear that we need a radical new

i n d u st r y.

model of one kind or another. Threshold, our housing

In

US

charity, has pointed out that “Minimum-wage earners

especially this

would pay 82% of net income on renting an average

will labour of

the cause

a

collapse

one-bedroom apartment.” People cannot afford to eat on what is left over.

unprecedented

So what’s our conclusion here? Ireland, the US, and

scale. From Georgia

the world need to win the new war on poverty and

to California, Maine to

enact economic policies which improve the lives of the

Oregon, about 3.5 million

very poorest. UBI is the best and easiest way they have

people, mostly older men, will

of doing that right now. We can see that people do not

be simply out of work. Europe would not

destroy their lives when given ‘free money’; we can see

fare much better, with about 6% of the EU’s workforce

that their outcomes improve. We can see our labour

being employed in various transport operations.

policies here are no longer fit for purpose, and that in

Adding an additional 6% to the current unemployment

the next few decades we are going to be in a position

rate would bring us to similar levels as the recession in

where a lot of industries have simply disappeared and

2008. How do we deal with this?

their workers have nowhere to go.

In Ireland, there are people forced to forgo food in

UBI is a solution. UBI could be the solution.

order to pay rent. The Irish economy simply could not handle 6% unemployment. We already have 190,000

26

scitech

Duty of Poor Care:

Women’s Health Still Stuck in the Back Seat? words and art by Ella Sloane

I

n March 2020 COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The outbreak of this deadly virus has once again unearthed the overwhelming gender disparities that have left and continue to leave women’s health on the margins, with a lack of support and clear government guidance for pregnant women surrounding maternity care and vaccinations being some of the most prominent issues. From the onset, it was clear to many expectant mothers that their health was not a priority and advice pertaining to maternity care was minimal in comparison to recommendations for reopening pubs, restaurants, and social gatherings such as weddings, to name a few. In Ireland, maternity care has been repeatedly put on the back burner throughout the pandemic as the government has failed to provide clear guidance for expecting parents in their COVID roadmaps.

Many women have had to suffer through incredibly isolating and anxious pregnancies, being forced to give birth alone whilst social gatherings of a far larger scale continue to be accommodated.

Furthermore, not every mother experienced the same level of precautions during their birth due to differing rules between hospitals, in what has been deemed a ‘postcode lottery’ of sorts. The long-term effects of the strain of these pregnancies is yet to be seen, but research is already

“

indicating a rise in levels of mental health issues - such as postnatal depression - in pandemic mothers. A recent study carried out by University College London determined that almost half of women (47.5%) with a baby aged six months or less met the threshold for postnatal depression during the first COVID-19 lockdown period.

These rates are more than double the average for Europe pre-pandemic (23%).

This seed of woeful neglect was sown when the United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decided to exclude “premenopausal females capable of becoming pregnant” from their clinical trials from 1977 through 1993. The policy was inaugurated with the intention to prevent potential fetal damage due to exposure to certain drugs, and was recommended to remain in place until further reproductive toxicity studies had been carried out. Not only did this assume that all women falling under this category wished to have children or could not take appropriate measures to avoid becoming pregnant when participating in these trials, it also decided on behalf of the female population that the benefits of protecting the fetus outweighed other possible health concerns.

Almost half of women with a baby aged six months or less met the threshold for postnatal depression... more than double the average for Europe pre-pandemic

27

scitech Following an examination of the ethics and legality of these assumptions, the policy was reconsidered.

In 1993, the FDA formally rescinded the policy that excluded women from clinical trials after receiving pressure from numerous women’s health advocacy groups including the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues. Undoubtedly, the gaping hole of research on the effects of certain drugs on women has had a detrimental knock-on effect for the decades to come.

Long-standing societal taboos and stigma surrounding the open discussion of reproductive health are largely to blame for the significant portion of underresearched women’s health conditions.

Worldwide, girls and women have been conditioned from a young age to remain silent on the topics of menstruation and sexual health, and the idea that their periods - a reality that most have to face monthly are ‘impure’ is instilled in many. These barriers are difficult to break down, but doing so is fundamental to the development of an increased understanding of the wide-ranging issues specifically pertaining to women’s health.

An estimated 10% of women have endometriosis, a debilitating gynaecological condition which leads to symptoms such as fatigue, severe pelvic pain and heavy periods. Despite this staggering statistic, the condition remains under researched, underfunded, poorly understood and without a cure. Endometriosis often goes undiagnosed for years due the systemic tendency to dismiss

women’s pain. In fact, one UK government survey revealed that 40% of women suffering from the condition had visited their doctor 10 or more times before finally being referred to a specialist.

Due to the persistence of menstrual taboos, a lack of awareness or discomfort in admitting their symptoms to a doctor can also lead to delays in diagnosis. Another prominent example of the frequency of misdiagnosis in women is heart disease, which is proven to have lethal outcomes.

Currently, heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the U.S., killing more than all cancers combined. Due to the harmful assumption that heart disease occurs mainly in men, many women and doctors fail to take the symptoms seriously, resulting in preventable fatalities.

When addressing issues of women’s health it is vital that intersectionality theories are applied to epidemiologic studies.

Evidence has shown that simply being a white cisgender female results in deep-rooted marginalisation within healthcare, however this issue is starkly compounded for trans women and women of colour (WOC).

Trans women face discrimination on a far greater scale as well as delayed access and barriers to crucial medical care. There is a severe lack of understanding amongst medical professionals due to the erasure of trans women from medical research, a data void which urgently needs to be addressed in order to provide appropriate and informed medical treatment for trans women.

28

scitech Similarly, women of colour are endangered by neglect in healthcare, a fact which is evident in the racial gap in cervical cancer deaths, maternal care and newborn care to name but a few.

Evidently, women are still being excluded from medical research today. Most notably pregnant women were not included in the majority of initial COVID-19 vaccination trials, a decision which is proving problematic, leaving a data void and a trail of vague and conflicting recommendations for those seeking vaccinations. This confusion has resulted in a delay in inoculation of pregnant women, leaving them more susceptible to infection. There is now evidence to suggest that pregnant women are more at risk of admission to the ICU and less likely to display symptoms of COVID-19 making this exclusion all the more concerning. As it stands, the current advice from the HSE is that pregnant women can avail of the vaccination programme at or after 14 weeks of pregnancy- a decision that is stated as a precautionary measure.

Women account for 70% of the world’s healthcare and social workers, immediately placing them on the frontline during an emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This can have devastating implications for women’s health, both mental and physical. Not only are women being put at a high risk of infection due to exposure to the virus through the frontline roles that they dominate, they also face an increased amount of mental strain.

This is only exacerbated by the extra pressure of childcare - a role that still predominantly falls on mothers - due to prolonged school and creche closures creating a vicious cycle.

“Women

are still being excluded from medical research today

Evidence suggests that the ongoing pattern of exclusion widens a preexisting trust gap and could be causing higher levels of vaccine hesitancy amongst women.

It is perhaps unsurprising that after decades of medical controversies involving female patients in Ireland such as the CervicalCheck scandal, the female population are less likely to say they would get vaccinated. Research from NUIG demonstrated the gender gap in vaccine hesitancy, with 31% of women under 30 saying they will not take the vaccine or they are unsure, compared to 18% of men. In the age category over 30, 76% of women indicated that they would get vaccinated, whereas 85% of men did. In contrast, women are more likely to adhere to public health advice such as wearing masks, a seemingly contradictory finding which begs the question, why?

29

As well as the previously mentioned lack of trust in medical establishments that has been fostered amongst women, there are also concerns about the vaccine’s effect on fertility due to insufficient clarity and the minimal clinical trials on pregnant women. Whatever the root of this divide may be, Ireland is certainly not an outlier in this concerning gender-gap regarding vaccine hesitancy as it is visible in many other countries worldwide.

Evidently, pandemics are not a genderneutral issue, something which authorities globally should be obliged to recognise and address. Yet, the truth of the matter is that even in 2021, as women carry the majority of physical and psychological burdens of a global emergency on their shoulders, their health continues to be inadequately researched, funded and dismissed by medical professionals and the people around them. Although discussion and research on issues surrounding women’s health has been gradually accumulating at a promising rate in recent years, there is an urgent need for an inclusive and intersectional approach to be applied in order to fill gaps in knowledge of WOC and transgender women’s health.

scitech

WHO’S WATCHING? The terrifyng implications of Pegasus Spyware

A

by Aidan Desjardins

software sold by a cyber warfare company

another link or program. Amnesty International

to rogue nations to spy on citizens should

has archived hundreds of such links as part of

be the plot of a subpar action movie. Probably

their security report on the software, many

one where the final scene ends with the over the

of which were designed by NSO group with a

top destruction of an underwater base. Yet, as

specific target in mind. However, this is just the

revelations this year have uncovered, this story is

tip of the iceberg, as these links may no longer be

not just a reality, but an instance that brings about

necessary. More recent attacks by the software

troubling questions. The idea of Pegasus is far

did not require the victim to interact at all with

from new. Governments have invaded the privacy

phishing techniques. These “zero-click” attacks

of their citizenry and others for years. However, the scale, scope, and sophistication of the Pegasus software is disturbing. Will we ever be able to understand the full scope of what has occurred?

Are we ready for what may come next? In truth, our organs of government and international policy are not equipped to handle such a situation. We need to face the reality that we must act now, or fall trap to the possibility of a post-privacy world.

were able to install the software onto a victims device simply by attempting to connect to their device through unanswered texts or calls. This method is especially troubling when partnered with the fact that Pegasus was able to circumvent the security protocols for many popular apps, such as Whatsapp and iMessage, leaving millions of devices around the globe potentially vulnerable. More troubling still was the level

Pegasus at its core is a program designed to

of information Pegasus gave to attackers. Once

extract as much information from its victims

installed, the software was able to access all of

as possible. Designed by the cyber warfare firm

one’s text messages, emails, GPS data, and files,

NSO Group, the software benefits from a team

and was further able to activate devices’ video and

of experts many of which served with Unit 8200,

audio recording capabilities, allowing attackers

the cyber intelligence department of the Israeli

to directly spy on victims. While the ability to

Defence Force. The program is what is known

spy on individuals by gaining access to their

as a “trojan horse”, due to the fact that it gains

personal devices is nothing new, the precision

access to a victim’s device by disguising itself as

and the sophistication of the Pegasus program is

scitech unprecedented and outstrips any previously known spy

as the UAE and Saudi Arabia, as well as backsliding

programs to date.

democracies such as Hungary and Mexico, who’ve been

It should be noted that surveillance and cyber attack programs are not a new phenomena. At time of writing, the Center for Strategic and International Studies has identified 54 major incidents, or incidents that have

using the software to target political opponents and journalists who’ve been critical of their governments.

A far cry from the purported sticker use of protecting national security.

resulted in more that one million USD in damages,

As more revelations about the Pegasus software have

since the beginning of 2021 alone. Further, the idea

emerged, these stories about its true usage have only

of rationalizing such programs as methods to combat

become more prevalent. One notable case that has been

crime and terrorism is far from a new idea. Take the US

revealed was its use to monitor the communications of

The precision and the sophistication of the Pegasus program is unprecedented

Jamal Khasoggi, the journalist and political activist

“

who was murdered by the Saudi government for his opposition to the monarchy. As part of his lawsuit against the Saudi government, Khasoggi’s friend and fellow activist Omar Abdulazziz revealed that his phone was one of the thousands that were tapped, and the information garnered from it likely led to the order for Khasoggi’s gruesome killing. However, Saudi Arabia is not alone in this abuse: the UAE used the software to monitor the communications of Princess Litifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum and those close to her prior

PATRIOT Act. The bill, signed into law shortly after

to her abduction in 2018. The information gathered

9/11, gave US Law enforcement the ability to access US

by Pegasus was most likely instrumental to the UAE’s

citizens’ SMS, email, and banking records, all without prior legal authorization. More so, authoritarian governments such as China, Russia, and North Korea have regularly used cyber attacks to extract information from both their own citizens and those outside of their jurisdiction. What makes the Pegasus software different is its aforementioned scale and its specificity.

A report published by the New York Times described an incident in which the NSO Group, at the behest of security officials from the United Arab Emirates,

“

It could be configured to delete itself once a device was turned off, making it untraceable

extracted recordings from the phones of the Emir of

operation to locate her during her attempted escape.

Qatar, the former prime minister of Lebanon, and an

Further, the software was used to monitor those who

emirati human rights activist, all in an attempt to sell

sought to ascertain her safety prior to her reemergence

the software’s abilities. They went on to demonstrate

into public life this year. This use of the Pegasus software

that not only was the software nearly undetectable

to monitor political opponents has garnered more than

on the devices it was installed on, but it could also be

criticism. A group of journalists from Mexico, many of

configured to delete itself once a device is turned off,

whom have advocated for opposition positions or have

making it untraceable. This lack of a paper trail is a

participated in investigations of prominent Mexican

major draw to many of NSO Group’s customers, such

politicians, have brought a number of legal cases

31

scitech

against the Mexican government and the NSO Group.

such as the aforementioned cases brought against the

However, will legal cases be enough to stop the abuse

NSO Group are frankly not enough of a deterrent. Both

of this software? Can the laws on the books realistically

the corporations who develop these invasive programs,

keep up with technological advancement? Is it possible

and the state actors who purchase them, should be

to create a legal framework that can adequately protect

punished for their use. Whether this be by sanctions or

individuals from such invasive technology? Now is the

a stronger international framework of privacy policy

time for careful consideration as we move forward.

remains to be seen. In truth, the pace of technological

Nonetheless, solutions do exist that could help protect

development will prove such actions difficult. In such a

us from the next Pegasus, and hold perpetrators

case, it may be time to consider the reality that we are

responsible for their actions.

moving more and more to a post-privacy world, where

The two most important strategies to combat programs

our data is simply another resource for countries to

such as Pegasus are transparency and holding those

battle over. As these cases crop up more and more, it

responsible for such attacks to account. Transparency

may be time to consider that privacy may become a

in this respect comes in two ways: transparency

thing of the past.

from security firms and transparency from state

The revelations brought about by the Pegasus software

actors. Companies involved in the security of our

have demonstrated that there is a clear and present

devices, whether they be manufacturers or software

danger to our privacy. Firms like the NSO Group are

developers, have a duty of care to disclose attacks

profiting off of this insecurity, all whilst assisting in

and breaches in our security. Similarly, governments

the dangerous and potentially deadly actions of state

must disclose and keep a record of the technology

actors. As we are set to enter an age in which the most

used by law enforcement . While some may argue this

private communications and records are accessible

may contradict security interests, the rampant abuse

to those who possess such software, without legal

of this technology and continued intrusion on the

authorization and under the guise of protecting law

individual’s privacy has clearly demonstrated a need

and order, we must endeavor to act. Pegasus will not be

for oversight. This oversight has been stewarded by

the last story like this, but it should be a wake up call. A

the countless journalists who have put themselves in

choice lies ahead of us as a society: do nothing, and give

danger by reporting on such abuse. As such, any sort

up our rights to privacy and security; or act, and ensure

of protection should extend further to those who have

cases like these are not front page news, but rather sub-

worked tirelessly to defend our privacy. Of course,

par plots for the silver screen.

we must also hold the perpetrators of such attacks to account as well. Legal challenges by private citizens,

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MISC. Magazine

Thank you to all our contributors, artists and writers: with special thanks to our cover artist Clara Cronin, Grace Gageby and Trinity Publications.

curiosity fosters discussion

Founded in 1895, Misc Magazine is Ireland’s oldest student publication.

We strive to showcase perspectives on the political, cultural and scientific zeitgeist of Ireland and farther afield.

As a publication, we encourage ingenuity of thought and encourage creativity in the fields of research and innovation, in both our writing and our artwork.