THE SHADOW of the Iran Contra arms scandal will lie over TCD's Examinations Hall on Friday, when Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North addresses the inaugural meeting of the TCD Historical Society.

North, you may remember, was involved in a minor misunderstanding some years ago about the ethics of selling arms to one's enemies in order to fund the good fight against communism in Nicaragua - a fight that the US Congress had voted not to support. When the hearings on the a fair were broadcast to the nation, the earnest, patriotic colonel became a hero to some ordinary, red blooded Americans.

In an unlikely meeting of minds the "Good Soldier" will be joined by Germaine Greer, author of The Female Eunuch, occasional Late Review commentator and resolute non wearer of f***-me shoes.

The evening sponsored by William Fry Solicitors, will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of Edmund Burke's Debating Club. The discussions will deal with the Burkean idea that liberty must be limited in order to be possessed, with a focus on terrorism and the tyranny of government and majority.