Irish Times Debates:  Months of verbal cut and thrust culminated in the 42nd final of The Irish Times debate last Friday. Paul Gleeson, convenor of the debates, thanked Therese Glennon and the Lit and Deb for their warm welcome on the final's inaugural visit to NUI Maynooth. Janet Stafford reports

He noted the incongruity of debating the motion "That this house regrets the American response to September 11th" in order to win a fantastic trip to the US. The winners fly out courtesy of Aer Lingus, to travel coast to coast on a tour organised by Professor Brent Northup, an adjudicator at the final for the past three years.

Brian Cowen, Minister for Foreign Affairs, chaired the debate. He spoke of the Irish Government's response to September 11th and took questions from the floor during the adjudication.

Louis Mooney and Brendan Kelly of TCD Hist and Conor Buckley of UCC Philosoph won the team and individual prizes.

"The standard of debating was very high and it was a close call between winners and runners-up," said Gleeson.