-For immediate release-

Literary and Debating Society Postpone Irving Debate Until Septemeber

It is with regret that the Literary and Debating Society of NUI Galway has had to postpone their much anticipated Holocaust Denial Debate featuring David Irving, until September. The debate was supposed to take place on 19^th March with Irving opposing the motion “That This House Rejects The Work of David Irving” and another historian of the period proposing the motion.

The reason for the postponement was the unavailability of a qualified proposition speaker for the March 19^th date. Society auditor, Dan Colley said “There are a number of talented historians who we have been in contact with who wish to challenge Irving but could not make the date that we have proposed”. He added “The Literary and Debating Society apologise for any inconvenience caused by this decision, although I hope that our members understand that it was made with the best interests of a healthy and productive debate in mind”

On 22^nd January the Lit & Deb held a debate on the motion “That this House would allow David Irving to speak at this House” which was passed 100 votes to 63. The meeting was open to the public and students and staff were allowed to vote. Dan Colley went on to say “We were given a mandate to invite David Irving to debate his views in our society by those who were interested enough to come to the debate and we intend on fulfilling that mandate in spite of opposition from a radical minority of people.”

People who were to attend the debate needed signed up at the Socs Box in Aras na Mac Leinn will be able to sign up again in September. Their information will not be kept on record for September.

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