Gloomy economic predictions and enthusiastic claims about Ireland benefiting from post-Brexit free trade deals were heard at the third semi-final of The Irish Times Debate 2017-2018 in Dublin on Monday. Students from debating societies in UCD, TCD and UCC debated the merits of Ireland’s future relationship with her nearest neighbour during the competition at the Dublin Business School on Aungier Street. Competitors debated the question: “This house believes that post-Brexit Ireland would be better served by aligning with London rather than with Brussels.”Proposing the motion, UCD student Isabel Cooke argued in favour of greater alignment with London. The three winners (team of two and individual speaker) will then go on a tour of the United States, hosted by Prof Brent Northup of Pax Rhetorica, Carroll College Montana. The Debate 2018 Grand Final takes place at Queen’s University Belfast on Friday February 23rd.

Source: The Irish Times February 12, 2018 22:18 UTC