BERNADETTE McALISKEY, the former MP and Northern civil rights activist, opened USI's annual women's congress in Belfast last weekend. McAliskey, whose pregnant daughter Roisin remains on, remand in Britain while awaiting extradition to Germany for alleged terrorist offences, addressed some 60 delegates from third-level colleges around the country.

USI has been actively campaigning on the McAliskey case since last year and a number of motions were submitted to congress on her treatment. The meeting also elected Nuala Toman as USI women's rights officer for the next academic year.

The DIT, the largest students' union in the country, has elected its first female overall president. Sinead Pidgeon, site president of the students' union in DIT Aungier Street, was elected to the office after beating Dermot Blake, site president of DIT, Kevin Street, by 1,622 votes to 1,411.