Two DCU students will soon be battling for the crown of Ireland's best debating team - on home ground. Ian Kehoe and Michael Moriarty will be competing as a team in the final of the prestigious `Irish Times Debate' which is being held in the Mahony Hall in the Helix on 26 February 2004. They will be participating in a highly historic event for DCU as it will be the first time the university's debating society has ever hosted the final. The final will give DCU students and staff a chance to see debating at its very best and it promises to be an exciting and fascinating contest.

Admission to the final is free and the DCU Debating Society is inviting staff and students to come out and support their team.

The motion for the debate is: `This house regrets the restrictions on the media's freedom of speech', and the chairperson is David McWilliams of TV3.

Ken Griffin, Auditor of the DCU Debating Society said, "we are delighted for Ian and Michael, particularly as it means that there will be a DCU team in the final for the first time ever. We hope that DCU students and staff will come out in large numbers to support them on the night".

Both Ian Kehoe, who won an Uaneen Award earlier this year, and Michael Moriarty, who is a former Education Officer for DCU Students' Union, are experienced debaters and recently finished as one of the top Irish teams in the World Championships in Singapore. Together they won the University of Limerick IV in 2003 and Ian, as an individual speaker, reached the Irish Times Final in 2002.

The final, which is being hosted by the DCU Debating Society in association with the university and the Irish Times, will be followed by an event in the Venue in the Hub Student Centre in DCU.
All students and staff who produce their entrance tickets at the door are welcome to attend.

How to obtain tickets
The event starts at 7.30. Tickets are free and are available in the Helix foyer on the night from 6.30 onwards, or can be booked in advance from:
aoife@dublin.ie