These have not been harmonious times in USI HQ and it is certainly the case that recent events have provided ammunition for hard-core anti-USI elements. The controversy over USI's decision to rent a room, at a cost of £80 per week, from its president, Colman Byrne, was one of the factors which led to the USI disaffiliation referendum.

UCD students' union president Ian Walsh, at the request of his union, protested strongly at USI's decision to rent a room in Byrne's flat for use by regional convenors. The move was not approved by USI National Council; Byrne said there was no conflict of interest involved. The issue came up again at National Council earlier this month. Council decided that USI should discontinue its arrangement with Byrne. Only two members of the USI officer board voted against Byrne on the issue.

Seirbhis, the company responsible for the running of Club USI, also lost its marketing manager, who left last month. He has since been replaced.

A particular source of unhappiness for the manager is believed to have been confusion arising out of a booking for a Leaving Certificate students' party night in August. Two different promoters sought the booking, which eventually went to Padraig Staunton, a former DIT students' union officer and a flatmate of Colman Byrne.

About 800 students turned up on the night, each paying a £6 entrance fee. Estimated earnings for the night are £3,500 to £4,000, earnings which were due in large part to the arrival of students following the closure of two other large city-centre venues.

Byrne says he did not intervene on behalf of his flatmate and says he has never interfered with the day-to-day running of the club, though he took the view that Staunton's connections with a major brewer could be beneficial to the club. Byrne adds that while he was present at the event, this is not unusual for events in the club, which he often attends in his capacity as USI president.