"Exciting, stimulating and interesting." That was the verdict of Martin McGuinness, MLA, Minister of Education for Northern Ireland. McGuinness delivered his summation at the recent final of the 41st annual Irish Times Debate, which he chaired.

No wonder he found it interesting: teams from TCD, King's Inn's and UCC proposed the motion that "This house agrees Sinn Fein has a place in this Republic's Government", and teams from TCD, King's Inns and UL begged to oppose. McGuinness scribbled notes throughout, as the argument went back and forth. He expressed the hope that the view of the proposition would prevail, but expressed admiration for debaters on both sides.

In the end, three young women from Trinity's Hist triumphed. Yvonne Campbell and Brid McGrath displayed their skill in their speaking and as they interrupted other speakers with points of information to win the team trophy. And Aoife Titley, who is auditor of the Hist this year, delivered a superb performance to win the individual speaker's prize. The three are leaving soon to participate in the US tour which will take them to Chicago, Denver, San Antonio, Arkansas, Richmond and New York.

Rossa Fanning, convenor for this year's debate Under his guidance, promising developments in the organisation of the competition took place this year: the auditors of the various societies around the country found it easy to keep track of fixtures with the introduction of a comprehensive website, managed by Colm O'Flynn, and there was a greater opportunity for all those wishing to participate in the prestigious competition, with an increase in the number of first-round debates.