Young Fine Gael accuses UCC societies executive of trying to 'suppress political expression'

Young Fine Gael was previously a recognised society at the university, which, among other things, allowed the group to book rooms for meetings and to host a stall during freshers' week. File picture: Richard Mills

Young Fine Gael (YFG) has accused the University College Cork (UCC) societies executive of “attempting to suppress political expression on campus” by refusing to allow new political societies to be formed.

The youth wing of the Fine Gael party said its attempts to re-establish itself as a recognised society on the university campus have been repeatedly blocked. The university confirmed that no new society applications can be taken as a review is currently underway. 

YFG was previously a recognised society at the university, which, among other things, allowed the group to book rooms for meetings and to host a stall during freshers' week.

However, this lapsed in 2024 due to an administrative error, and the group now must establish itself again as a new society.

It claims its efforts to apply again for society status have been unsuccessful due to what it describes as a “new policy that prohibits political parties from registering”.

The youth wings of Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, People Before Profit, and Connolly Youth continue to operate as societies on the UCC campus.

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“We’ve tried to deal with this formally,” said Bebhinn Lombard, final year UCC student and YFG Munster regional organiser.

“We first became aware of this when we applied to create a YFG society and were refused. Since then, we have found many more societies have united in opposition to this undemocratic attempt to silence students.

"It seems to be a blanket ban across the board. 

It is actually quite hard to set up a society. You have to collect 200 signatures, you have to fill out long forms, you have to have an updated constitution. You have to fill out information about founding members of the society, and that's just the bare minimum requirements.

"YFG is calling on the executive to reverse its decision and "respect the right of students to organise politically". 

"We have done everything they have asked, jumped through every hoop, and they still refuse to acknowledge us," Ms Lombard added. 

A spokesman for UCC said its societies executive "remains committed to transparent, democratic decision-making and assures students that there is no intention to limit or restrict political expression on campus".

It is currently undertaking a review to ensure all societies meet existing university policies and national legislation, including the Charities Act.  

"This work is in line with similar reviews being conducted across the higher education sector. During this review, no new society applications can be taken. This process is ongoing, and no final decision has been made."