IRISH TIMES DEBATE:Eighty-four years of history, from former taoisigh to political controversy, were trawled by the 12 finalists in the anniversary debate
A GREAT conduit for the people of Ireland; a byword for corruption, responsible for decades of economic mismanagement; or the party most responsible for the creation of a peaceful, independent nation: these were among the contrasting views of Fianna Fáil that emerged at the Irish TimesDebate's 50th anniversary final at the Helix in DCU last Friday night, when 12 third-level students debated the motion "This House Believes that Ireland Owes a Debt of Gratitude to Fianna Fáil 1926-2010".
Opposing the motion, Trinity College’s Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin, a member of the winning team on the night, argued that it was the Fianna Fáil party which owed a debt of gratitude to the Irish people for entrusting them with their governance.
“They should be thanking us,” she said, pointing out the damage done by corrupt politics to the trust of the electorate. “In 1926, Ireland gained a new political movement . . . and we gave them the opportunity to build a nation. Eighty-four years later, we are left with one of the most difficult questions ever posed to an Irish nation: was it for this?”
Her teammate from Trinity College’s Historical Society, Niall Sherry, took up the argument by stating that much of the nation’s progress had come about not because of, but despite the party that dominated its political landscape: “They owe us for the decades of power that they have squandered.”
Proposing the motion, the runner-up in the individual category, Niall Ó hUiginn from King’s Inns, spoke of the party’s “organic connection” with the Irish people, and suggested that its populist approach and broad appeal were among its strengths, ensuring that Ireland escaped the factionalism of other political systems. “It is because Fianna Fáil has chosen to seek support from every aspect of Irish society that it has not been held to ransom by any one of them.”
In a lively debate that name-checked Fianna Fáil politicians from de Valera, through Lemass, Haughey and Ahern, all the way up to Brian Cowen and the former minister for defence Willie O’Dea, the creation of the Constitution, the peaceful transition to democracy, and a populist approach that resonated with the Irish people were all proposed as reasons to be grateful for Fianna Fáil.
Those who opposed the motion pointed to the corruption scandals that have dogged the party, and what they saw as economic mismanagement and the lack of any cohesive policy. “The greatest crime that FF has perpetrated is robbing us of a national political consciousness,” said UCD’s Ian Hastings who, together with Conor McAndrew, formed the runner-up team on the night.
The debate was chaired by Nobel Peace Laureate and former first minister of Northern Ireland David Trimble, who regaled a young and vocal audience with stories of his own debating experiences. He also echoed a point made by the night’s individual winner, Griffith College’s Seán O’Quigley, who had pointed out the damage that can be incurred by any party which feels it is owed a debt of gratitude.
“The electorate should never think that they owe a debt of gratitude to any political party,” said Lord Trimble, “and to think in those terms implies a sense of entitlement to a political party.”
Ms Ní Mhaoileoin and Mr Sherry received the Demosthenes Trophy, while Mr O’Quigley received the Christina Murphy Memorial Trophy. The three winners will represent Ireland on a debating tour of the United States.
Also taking part in the final were Eoghan Sheehy and Janine Ryan from UCD’s Literary and Historical Society, Shane Cranley who joined Ó hUiginn the King’s Inns team, NUI Galway’s Seán Butler, Michael McGrath from King’s Inns and Aengus Ó Corráin from Trinity College’s Philosophical Society.
Irish Timeseditor Geraldine Kennedy presided over the adjudicating team, which also included Prof Brent Northup and former winners Charles Lysaght, Leo Mulrooney and Michael Moriarty.