INTERNAL EVENTS

Among the fine motions and debates of the Lit ‘N’ Deb this year, most have been immortalised in the minutes. Paper can scarcely approximate the subtle innovations of the skilled speaker, the dramatic gesticulations of the emphatic orator or even fully quantify the demeanour of the staunch impregnable tower of ivory epitomised in the cutting figure of Tim O’Connor, but the skilled overview of a sober Ms. Emer Ryan is well worth the read. However, what has passed by the chronicler are the Interfaculty debates which took place in Tower 2 on Wednesday nights. Their sheer colour and passion proved resolutely that one does not require a full auditorium to be an outstanding orator. These debates really allowed our current crop of first years to come into their own, with commendable speeches coming from Tricia Burke, Tim O’Connor, Keith Maye, Emer O’Flaherty, Liz Quirke, Linda O’Grady and Cliona O’Keeffe as part of an eager 1st year brigade which I feel unworthy to praise. Along with the more tempered and seasoned debaters, these debates form as integral a part of the Lit ‘N’ Deb as our weekly Thursday emporium.

The final of the Interfac. took place on the fifth of March with the motion “ That this House would close its Doors to Immigration.” Final winners were the Civil Eng. duo of Kate Kenny and Ger Meehan whose argument had the hallmarks of their faculty; structure, design, and a presence that didn’t crumble under the assailing tempest of vehement opposition. John Martin and Brendan Lyons took honours in a joint victory as individuals.

As a debating forum the Kirwan (Kirwin) was even more accessible this year- with the doors wedged (open). Private Members Time allowed all to revel in the sheer exuberance of choice heckles, while still allowing many to express an earnest opinion. Student Unionism, perhaps not a popular topic was a passionate subject which also reared its fiery head in the Kirwin. Most notable was the official debate “That the student union serves only itself’ (Passed !) PMT motions embraced this and many other thorny issues. Those who spoke and those who felt the need to raise matters of conscience at the Lit ‘N’ Deb we salute you. (You know who you are). And those who spouted blindly scintillating rhetoric we’ll miss you.

The PDS visited the Lit ‘N’ Deb in the dominant figure of NUIG’s Mr Dave Finn, whose supporters flocked to see this man of words in the Interfaculty Final. It was unfortunate that this influx resulted in shedding of blood - albeit a minor nosebleed.

At the time of printing, the Lit ‘N’ Deb Speaker of the Year Competition lies ahead of us. Speakers are to include the Interfacuity winners and Fergal Crehan, Eoin Mac Giolla Rí, Emmet Lynch, Ronan Feehily and Cliona O’Keeffe.

As is always the case, many of the society’s more passionate and informal debates commenced in Jury’s Inn, much there is, however, best left unchronicled,

Eoin Ryan (2nd Med)