USI could face a disaffiliation referendum in the University of Galway in coming months, following a vote in favour of a referendum at a Law Society debate in the college last week.

The pro-disaffiliation motion was carried by a considerable majority, after speakers argued that UG students, whether pro or anti-USI, had the right to have the issue put to them formally. The university's union disaffiliated in the late 1980s but reaffiliated in 1993-94.

The pro-USI speakers were USI officers Malcolm Byrne, Dermot Quain and Ian Lucey, as well as NUI Galway students' union president Darren McCallig. Speaking in favour of disaffiliation were UCD students' union president Ian Walsh, who argued that USI was increasingly irrelevant in the university context; UCC students' union president Sheila Griffin and two former students, Paul Whelan and Brid Curran.

The Law Society had committed itself to obtaining the 200 signatures necessary to call for a referendum if the pro-disaffiliation motion was carried. According to the society's debate convenor, Oliver BegleyWall, the signatures can be presented to the SU executive for a decision on the holding of a referendum or an emergency general meeting of the student body can be convened to debate the issue. If carried, it is hoped that the referendum could be held with the SU sabbatical elections early in March.

Meanwhile, at the time of writing, USI was continuing to pay £80 per week towards the rent on USI president Colman Byrne's southside Dublin apartment, despite a decision by USI's national council last November that the arrangement should be discontinued.

The £80 contribution is for the use of a room by visiting regional convenors but, in the absence of alternative arrangements so far, Byrne continues to get almost half the rent of £800 per month paid by USI.