Verbum Scriptum Manet

 

In centuries to come, when historians examine the archives of the James Hardiman Library of UCG and trawl through the minutes of the Literary and Debating Society, it is not the Auditor of any particular session who will make the impression. Rather it is the Recording Secretary who sets the tone of the account and thus has the ability to influence the historical opinions of future generations of academics and researchers.

 

The immense and highly influential task which is imposed upon the Recording Secretary can never be taken lightly, and it is mandatory that he is well versed in the English language to the extent that he can almost read and write.

 

The position of Recording Secretary of the 156^th Session was a difficult and dangerous one to hold. The heroic individual who held this post endured the ramblings of risky characters such as the Harry Potter devouring Mr Nolan; the leader of the Ben Dunne appreciation society, Mr Dolan; the fence sitting Mr Maye; the imperialist Mr Collins; and of course the exhausting house-keeping announcements of Mr Hanniffy. In comparison to the flaws of the above characters, the Recording Secretary read the minutes stylishly (after much practice).

 

Gibs’ Night launched the careers of our future debaters. The champion Giblet Ruairí Talbot proposed a medical innovation whereby everyone dies at sixty-five, thus enabling people to plan and attend their own funerals. He justified his position by adding that “Hitler gave mass extermination a bad name.”

 

The fourth meeting of this session was the largest of the year. The Kirwan was packed with hundreds of people who came to hear the motion “that this House would support the second Nice Treaty referendum” being debated between MEPs, TDs, a former Auditor and other middle class – tree hugging – dolphin friendly – lefty pinkos.

 

During Private Members’ Time on this particular night, Mr Keith Maye proposed “that this House would have its Men’s Club back”, calling for the re-establishment of the College’s Men’s Club. This was opposed by Miss Louise O’Connor who asked why only three of the thirteen Committee Members were female. Mr Peter O’Brien answered this question succinctly. He outlined that an IQ test was held to determine suitability for a committee position. Mr Enda Dolan outlined that women’s clubs were far more important so as to pass on the vital skills of knitting and sewing to the younger generations. This particular motion was passed.

 

The fifth meeting was originally intended to be a run-off for the World Universities Debating Championships, which were held in Stellenbosch in South Africa. Due to the exorbitant cost of travelling, it was decided not to participate in the worlds. So the fifth meeting became the Students’ Union Debate. However, due to the exorbitant cost of travelling to the Kirwan, the Students’ Union representatives never arrived and an extended Private Members’ Time was held instead.

 

The Life Society was champion of the Inter-Society Debates. The motion before the House on this occasion was “that this House would hold Bosco responsible for Ireland’s moral decline.”

 

On the 1^st February UCG was host to the Irish Times Semi-Final. Mr Declan Burke, the Corresponding Secretary, represented the Literary and Debating Society on this auspicious occasion.

 

On the night of February 20^th, Mr Bernard O’Connor proposed extending Rag Week by 52 years for no apparent reason, other than that he appeared to remain suffering from the effects of Rag Week 2003.

 

It can be truly be said that the meetings of the 156^th session saw the expression of many human emotions, from the excitement and euphoria of Gibs’ Night to the tension of the (eventual) Students’ Union Debate and the sadness of the AGM.

 

The unique experience of attending a meeting of the Society is one which all UCG students should share. Those unlucky to never have taken part will always have the minutes, from which they can learn of the true heart of student life. For those fortunate to have participated in the Society, the minutes will recall fond memories.

 

All future recording secretaries of the Society must know of their duty to students, historians and friends. They must also know the basic truth, which underlines their purpose of their task: Verbum Scriptum Manet – The Written Word Remains.

 

Kevin Leavy (3^rd Comm.)

Recording Secretary

 

 

“Gosh! The Irish Times Crossword is difficult today…”