157th Session (2006/2007)

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1 Committee
- 1.1 Elections
2 Meetings
3 Competitive Debating
4 Society Achievements

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Committee

Auditor Diarmuid Early (Maths IV)
External Vice-Auditor Alanna Landers (Arts III)
Internal Vice-Auditor Paul Flynn (MA)
Finance Officer Kirsty March(Until February) (Arts II)
Conor O'Brien (From February)(Arts II)
Social Secretary Aoife Marie Conway (Arts III)
Public Relations Officer Gwen Boyle (Arts II)
Schools Convenor Cian Hargrave (Arts II)
IV Convenor David McGoldrick (Dent III)
Recording Secretary John Gleeson (Civ Eng II)
Development Officer Will Sherlock (Gen III)
Schools Development Officer Ross Frenett (Arts II)
Projects and Archives Officer Steven Cull (Arts II)
Webmaster Kevin Hargrave (Gov II)
Ex-Officio Olga Seleznova (Maths III)
First Year Rep Kevin O'Toole (Maths I)

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Elections

The elections at the AGM of the 156th Session were marked by two perceived "joke" campaigns: Tomás Ó hÉarchú for Recording Secretary and Barry Scannell for Auditor. The later was orchestrated by Diarmuid Early so that he would be able to gain a genuine mandate and be elected as Auditor (as the constitution stood at the time, without an opponent, Diarmuid would have automatically been declared elected without a vote). Danny Gleeson unsuccessfully ran for External Vice-Auditor, as did Emer Harrington for Social Secretary (losing by one vote), Kevin Hargrave for PRO, Orlaith Murphy for Schools Convenor and Deirdre Milner for IV Convenor. All in all, an unusually large number of positions were contested.

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Meetings

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1 The Cannabis Debate

“That this house would free the weed”

Boole 4, Monday 2nd October ‘06

Proposition:
Cllr. Luke “Ming” Flanagan

Opposition: Dan Boyle TD

The first meeting of the UCC Philosophical Society began with the minutes, read by Recording Secretary John Gleeson, followed by an address from Auditor Diarmuid Early. Mr. Early’s address outlined the standing orders and general outline of a Monday meeting, our upcoming debates and guest speakers, and the value of debating as a means of developing speaking ability and confidence. It was then time for Councillor Flanagan to address the house. He bowled over the crowd with his humorous anecdotes and charming style, as he recounted how he had been personally arrested several times for possessing cannabis. He also spoke on many of the myths associated with cannabis use, and how legalised cannabis use would be safer for all involved. Deputy Boyle began his opposition to the motion by making fun of the fact that a green party member would be opposing a motion to legalise cannabis! He spent much of his speech endorsing argument and discussion about topics like this, stating that informed decisions formed the basis of good democracy. Floor speeches followed, with intermittent replies from our guest speakers, before they were allowed to sum up their cases. A vote was called, and the motion was carried.

Minutes 157 1

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2 An Audience with John Hume

G19 (moved to Boole 4 after PMT), Monday 9th October ‘06

Guest Speaker:
John Hume Nobel Laureate

After all formalities, minutes and announcements, the meeting began with the first Private Members Time of the year: “That this house would save the Government” proposed by Mr. Derek Doyle. He proposed that Bertie Ahern’s leadership should not be completely undermined by the recent corruption scandals. He went on to say that corruption in Irish politics was nothing new, and that one of the most corrupt politicians in Ireland was Eamonn DeValera. The motion was opposed by Ross Frenett who claimed that we should expect the best from our leaders, and that they should set the example to the country. Due to the ever-increasing crowd, the meeting was forced to move to Boole 4, and PMT was cut short. When the crowd settled again in Boole 4, Diarmuid called on Professor Hume to give his address. Professor Hume took to the podium with rapturous applause from an audience who clearly appreciated his achievements. Professor Hume spoke firstly about the amazing advances in society, and then about his part in the conflict in Northern Ireland. This was followed by a questions and answers session, and Professor Hume was given another standing ovation, before the meeting was called to a close.

Minutes 157 2

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3 The Europe Debate

“That this house believes that the European Project has failed”

G19, Monday 16th October ‘06

Guest Chairman:
Simon Coveney MEP

Proposition:
Derek Clarke MEP (United Kingdom Independance Party)

Opposition:
Alan Dukes (Former leader Fine Gael)

The night began with a Private Members Time presided over by External Vice-Auditor Alanna Landers. The motion up for discussion was “That this house would eliminate all forms of Genetic Research” which was proposed by Mr. Anthony Walsh. He argued that Genetic Research can only lead to negative discoveries, with much harm done on the way. The motion was opposed by Will Sherlock, who spoke about the benefits of Genetic Research to humanity as a whole. After a lively debate, a vote was called on the motion and it was defeated. At this stage of the meeting, Simon Coveney MEP took the chair, and introduced our two guest speakers. Mr Derek Clarke proposed the motion, stating that the EU was not the most democratic of places, given the way it’s structured. Mr. Alan Dukes opposed, listing out the benefits associated with EU membership. He also said that while the EU project has often faltered, the general principle behind it was sound. There followed some floor speeches and sum ups, before Mr. Coveney gave his own speech. He heartily endorsed the EU project, before calling a vote on the motion, which was overwhelmingly defeated.

Minutes 157 3

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4 The Haughey Debate

“That this house believes that Charlie Haughey’s legacy was Grotesque, Unbelievable, Bizarre and Unprecedented.”

G19, Monday 23rd October ‘06

Proposition:
Ruairí Quinn TD (Former leader Labour Party)

Opposition:
Derek Doyle (Deputy President UCC Students' Union)

The 4th meeting of the UCC Philosophical Society began with a Private Members Time motion proposed by Mr. Cian Hargrave. He proposed “That this house would read a book” by which he meant that television was a terrible scourge on society. He spoke about “that patronizing little box in the corner” and how it brought very little good to the world. Kevin O’ Toole opposed and outlined many of the benefits that television brings to people. There were many other speeches from the floor, and after a very entertaining debate, a vote was called and the motion was passed. It was then time for Deputy Ruari Quinn to propose the main debate. He began by justifying his comments that he made on the day of Haughey’s funeral, and he spoke on the corruption in Irish Society. Mr. Derek Doyle opposed the motion, by saying that corruption in Irish Politics was nothing new, and that in effect all this motion did was tarnish the name of a dead man. After some lively floor speeches, a vote was called on the motion, which was carried.

Minutes 157 4 [[Image:Resized 385.jpg|thumb|John Glesson, George Galloway, Diarmuid Early

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