Colaiste An Spioraid Naoimh from Cork last night emerged as the winners of the All-Ireland Schools' Debating Competition from an initial entry of some 720 students.
Having opposed the motion "That this house would legalise prostitution," the Bishopstown school from Co Cork, became the 22nd school to win the prestigious competition.
The team, consisting of Eoghan McSwiney and Robert Foley, had argued that prostitution should remain illegal before an audience of 300 guests and the chairman of the grand final, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny.
"We were very very surprised to win because the competition was unbelievable. Every team and speaker did their schools justice," said Mr Foley.
Catherine Murphy, a sixth-year student in Mount Sackville Secondary School, Chapelizod in Dublin, emerged as the overall individual winner having also opposed the debate's motion.
She contended that social problems such as poverty and education needed to be addressed instead of legalising prostitution .