In what must be one of the most ridiculous pieces of political grandstanding seen yet in Ireland, Michael Noonan TD, former leader of Fine Gael, has called for the banning of hoodies in shopping centres!

Apparently, it's young people in hoodies who are responsible for shoplifting, and even if we're not shoplifting, according to Noonan, hoodies are just generally intimidating! To back up all of this rubbish, RTE on 9 November produced footage reminiscent of "Cops" of a few young people running away with hoodies on - apparently a clinching argument for banning them!

This is yet another attempt by the establishment to victimize young people, at one with Michael McDowell's proposals for Anti Social Behaviour Orders, which have already been used in Britain to ban some young people wearing hoodies. ASBOs and bans of hoodies will not deal with anti-social behaviour, they will only alienate young people further. What's needed instead is real investment in youth facilities. According to the government's own figures, over €2.5 million was needed for youth facilities in 2003, yet only €80,000 was provided!

Skateboarding facilities are top of the list of desired facilities for many young people. Disgracefully, for a country with the youngest population in the EU, Dublin, the capital city, has no public skateparks. That is not only behind other European countries, but even behind countries in the neo-colonial world like Thailand, Peru and Brazil. Campaigns of young people are underway to get parks built in Lucan, Maynooth, Bushypark, Navan, Newbridge, Westport, Cork and Limerick. These campaigns should aim to mobilise as many young people as possible in protest and action rather than just lobbying local councils.

Socialist Youth wants to assist skateboarders, inline skaters and BMXers in getting the public facilities they deserve. Contact 086 1688050 for assistance in setting up a campaign.

Socialist Party members of UCD Students' Union Council and other left-wing members successfully campaigned for a €500 donation from the students' union for the Trade Union Rights Campaign (TURC) in Pakistan and Kashmir. We also held a table quiz that raised €72.

This money goes directly to assist workers and poor people affected by the earthquake. Unlike NGOs, charities and governments, the TURC will not spend money on administrationâ or excessive salaries.

Although the SU Council passed our motion unanimously, the right-wing leaders of the students' union delayed agreeing to a donation. Yet the union executive is quick to waste money on training weekendsâ and entertainment for themselves while they delay helping earthquake victims! This is just another example of why we need a left campaigning students' union in UCD.