Union Debate 2026

Join us for the 2026 edition of the Union Debate where Pastmen and current students will go head to head on a very topical motion, one we see in the news daily and use in our lives increasingly: AI.

Motion: "This House believes that AI will render the traditional university degree obsolete for the next generation."

18:45 arrival for 19:00 start Debate to finish at 20:30 Refreshments in the Ref afterwards

The Pastmen debaters will be Ted Robinson (1997), Alan Flanagan (2002), Ted Leddy (1999) and Edward Donelan (1969).

The guest Moderator will be Mr. Naoise Ó Cearúil TD. Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Artificial Intelligence & Gaeltacht Affairs, and TD for Kildare North.

The debate will be judged by Mr. Alex Murphy (Union President), Ms. Elaine Kelly (College Principal) and Ms. Aoife Brennan (College Debating Teacher).

The event promises to be a thought provoking evening and a chance to reconnect with fellow pastmen and meet the next generation of debaters at the College.