This House Regrets The Rise of Online Activism

Hello, hello, one and all! And welcome to this! The eighteenth ordinary meeting of the one hundred and seventy-sixth session of the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society! The House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Regrets the Rise of Online Activism".

Speaking for the Proposition were George Farnon, Noah Ralphs, and Ebram Salib, and speaking for the Opposition were Ella McMullin, JP Coyle, and Jack Murray.

Timestamps as follows:

(00:00:00) Order, order!

(00:00:56) Minutes

(00:07:59) Announcements

(00:11:43) Private Members’ Business

(00:22:59) President's Questions

(00:26:46) Vote of Prior Opinion

(00:28:14) Rules of the Debate

(00:29:15) George Farnon, First Prop

(00:35:58) Ella McMullin, First Opp

(00:43:14) Noah Ralphs, Second Prop

(00:50:17) JP Coyle, Second Opp

(00:56:21) Ebram Salib, Third Prop

(01:03:08) Jack Murray, Third Opp

(01:09:47) Questions from the House

(01:17:22) The Vote

(01:18:31) Announcement Recap

(01:19:34) Meeting adjourned!

Thanks for listening!

This House Believes it is Time for the Irish Government to Prepare for Unity

Hello, hello, one and all! And welcome to this! The third special meeting of the one hundred and seventy-sixth session of the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society! This was a special Inter-Varsity debate in collaboration with the Trinity College Dublin College Historical Society. The House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Believes it is Time for the Irish Government to Prepare for Unity".

Speaking for the Proposition were Noah Ralphs, Molly Mullan Haslam, James Tourish, and Ritvik Kumar, and speaking for the Opposition were Beth Lynam, Ella O'Neill, Jonathan Massey, and Eoin Connolly. Guest-Chairing for the afternoon was the former foreign-policy editor of The Irish Times, Dr. Paul Gillespie.

Timestamps as follows:

(00:00:00) Order, order!

(00:00:15) Weclome by Adam Rainbolt, TCD Hist Secretary

(00:01:19) Introduction by Dermot Hamill, QUB Literific President

(00:02:30) Remarks by Dr. Paul Gillespie, Guest Chair

(00:02:58) Noah Ralphs, First Prop

(00:10:34) Beth Lynam, First Opp

(00:17:18) Molly Mullan Haslam, Second Prop

(00:24:26) Ella O'Neill, Second Opp

(00:32:00) James Tourish, Third Prop

(00:39:37) Jonathan Massey, Third Opp

(00:47:06) Ritvik Kumar, Fourth Prop

(00:54:25) Eoin Connolly, Fourth Opp

(01:01:44) A Few Thoughts and the Vote

(01:03:35) Closing Remarks from Dr. Paul Gillespie, Guest Chair

(01:13:23) Closing Remarks from Dermot Hamill, President

(01:14:11) Meeting adjourned!

This House Regrets The Proliferation of Artificial Intelligence

Hello, hello, one and all! And welcome to this! The seventeenth ordinary meeting of the one hundred and seventy-sixth session of the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society! The House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Regrets the Proliferation of Artificial Intelligence".

Speaking for the Proposition were Aoife McAuley, Michael Herron, Katie Ryan, and Jonathan Massey, and speaking for the Opposition were Tiarnan Smith, Elliott Dickie, Liam Harte, and Jonathan Deronja.

Timestamps as follows:

(00:00:00) Order, order!

(00:00:28) Minutes

(00:08:12) Announcements

(00:10:14) Private Members’ Business

(00:16:29) President's Questions

(00:21:52) Vote of Prior Opinion

(00:23:28) Rules of the Debate

(00:24:09) Aoife McAuley, First Prop

(00:31:51) Tiarnan Smith, First Opp

(00:38:40) Michael Herron, Second Prop

(00:46:10) Elliott Dickie, Second Opp

(00:53:55) Katie Ryan, Third Prop

(01:01:18) Liam Harte, Third Opp

(01:06:59) Jonathan Massey, Fourth Prop

(01:14:39) Jonathan Deronja, Fourth Opp

(01:21:44) Questions from the House

(01:30:27) The Vote

(01:31:48) Announcement Recap

(01:32:41) Meeting adjourned!

Thanks for listening!

This House Believes Éamon de Valera Did More Harm Than Good

Hello, hello, one and all! And welcome to this! The sixteenth ordinary meeting of the one hundred and seventy-sixth session of the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society! The House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Believes Éamon de Valera Did More Harm Than Good".

Speaking for the Proposition were Beth Lynam, Oran Lafferty, Ella McMullin, and Jonathan Massey, and speaking for the Opposition were Theo McDonald, Fintan Lalor, Ciarán Mac Dermott, and Sam Haslett.

Timestamps as follows:

(00:00:00) Order, order!

(00:00:57) Minutes

(00:06:19) Announcements

(00:08:34) Private Members’ Business

(00:16:50) President's Questions

(00:24:19) Vote of Prior Opinion

(00:26:30) Rules of the Debate

(00:27:29) Beth Lynam, First Prop

(00:35:13) Theo McDonald, First Opp

(00:43:43) Oran Lafferty, Second Prop

(00:48:18) Fintan Lalor, Second Opp

(00:55:06) Ella McMullin, Third Prop

(01:02:24) Ciarán Mac Dermott, Third Opp

(01:09:18) Jonathan Massey, Fourth Prop

(01:17:14) Sam Haslett, Fourth Opp

(01:25:04) Questions from the House

(01:34:20) The Vote

(01:35:36) Announcement Recap

(01:36:30) Meeting adjourned!

Thanks for listening!

LitTalk: In Conversation with Baroness Theresa May

Hello, hello, one and all! On Thursday, 27th February 2025, at 11:00, The Riddel Hall hosted the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society's fourth LitTalk of the 176th Session. The event featured Baroness Theresa May, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2019.

During the event, attendees had the chance to listen to an interview with Baroness May conducted by Claire Dickson, former Head of The Scoop at Queen's Radio. Following the discussion, participants were given the opportunity to pose questions to Baroness May.

Timestamps as follows:

(00:00:00) Order, order!

(00:00:36) Vice-Chancellor's Introduction

(00:02:57) Baroness May's Address

(00:16:22) Interview

(00:38:41) Audience Questions

(00:53:02) Literific President's Closing Remarks

(00:56:01) Meeting adjourned!

Thanks for listening!

This House Would Means Test the NHS

Hello, hello, one and all! And welcome to this! The fifteenth ordinary meeting of the one hundred and seventy-sixth session of the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society! The House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Would Means Test the NHS".

Speaking for the Proposition were Ryan Hoey, Hussain Bedair, and Beth Lynam, and speaking for the Opposition were Noah Ralphs, Jack Murray, and Jonathan Deronja.

Timestamps as follows:

(00:00:00) Order, order!

(00:00:28) Minutes

(00:06:02) Announcements

(00:06:50) Private Members’ Business

(00:11:59) Presidents Question Time

(00:17:21) Vote of Prior Opinion

(00:18:34) Rules of the Debate

(00:19:19) Ryan Hoey, First Prop

(00:27:00) Noah Ralphs, First Opp

(00:34:48) Hussain Bedair, Second Prop

(00:42:10) Jack Murray, Second Opp

(00:49:15) Beth Lynam, Third Prop

(00:56:46) Jonathan Deronja, Third Opp

(01:03:47) Questions from the House

(01:12:37) The Vote

(01:14:25) Announcement Recap

(01:15:10) Meeting adjourned!

Thanks for listening!

LitTalk: In Conversation with Claire Hanna MP

Hello, hello, one and all! And welcome to this! On Wednesday, 19th February 2025, at 19:30, The McMordie Hall in the Music Building hosted the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society's third LitTalk of the 176th Session. The event featured Claire Hanna MP, sitting MP for Belfast South and Mid Down, and Leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party.

During the event, attendees had the chance to listen to an interview with Ms. Hanna conducted by Claire Dickson, former Head of The Scoop at Queen's Radio. Following the discussion, participants were given the opportunity to pose questions to Ms. Hanna.

Thanks for listening!

This House Believes The UK Has Failed Northern Ireland

Hello, hello, one and all! And welcome to this! The second special meeting of the one hundred and seventy-sixth session of the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society! This was a special Inter-Varsity debate to celebrate the Society's 175th anniversary which occured the previous day on the 11th of February. The House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Believes The United Kingdom Has Failed Northern Ireland".

Speaking for the Proposition were Dáire Hughes MP, Jack Likely, Tailte McSparron, and Ella McMullin, and speaking for the Opposition were David Leahy, Peter Martin MLA, Eoin Connolly, and Henry O'Riordan. Guest-Chairing for the evening was the former Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Mark Durkan.

Timestamps as follows:

(00:00:00) Order, order!

(00:00:52) Speaker Introductions

(00:03:38) Vote of Prior Opinion

(00:05:08) Dáire Hughes MP, First Prop

(00:13:29) David Leahy, First Opp

(00:21:28) Jack Likely, Second Prop

(00:29:03) Peter Martin MLA, Second Opp

(00:37:12) Tailte McSparron, Third Prop

(00:45:04) Eoin Connolly, Third Opp

(00:52:07) Ella McMullin, Fourth Prop

(00:59:56) Henry O'Riordan, Fourth Opp

(01:07:09) Questions from the House

(01:26:32) The Vote

(01:28:17) Closing Remarks from Dermot Hamill, President

(01:29:52) Closing Remarks from Mark Durkan, Guest Chair

(01:33:25) Meeting adjourned!

Thanks for listening!

This House Would Not Have Children

Hello, hello, one and all! And welcome to this! The fourteenth ordinary meeting of the one hundred and seventy-sixth session of the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society! The House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Would Not Have Children".

Speaking for the Proposition were Beth Lynam, Dhivyah Chandrasegaran, and Rea Thien, and speaking for the Opposition were James Kennedy, Harry Nicholl, and Tiarnan Smith.

Timestamps as follows:

(00:00:00) Order, order!

(00:00:35) Minutes

(00:06:28) Announcements

(00:08:17) Private Members’ Business

(00:13:36) Presidents Question Time

(00:17:16) Vote of Prior Opinion

(00:18:23) Rules of the Debate

(00:19:00) Beth Lynam, First Prop

(00:26:16) James Kennedy, First Opp

(00:33:56) Dhivyah Chandrasegaran, Second Prop

(00:41:56) Harry Nicholl, Second Opp

(00:47:54) Rea Thien, Third Prop

(00:54:42) Tiarnan Smith, Third Opp

(01:00:57) Questions from the House

(01:07:25) The Vote

(01:08:27) Announcement Recap

(01:09:07) Meeting adjourned!

Thanks for listening!

LitTalk: In Conversation with Mike Nesbitt MLA

Hello, hello, one and all! And welcome to this! On Tuesday, 4th February 2025, at 19:30, The Canada Room in the Lanyon Building hosted the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society's second LitTalk of the 176th Session. The event featured Mike Nesbitt MLA, former broadcaster and sitting MLA for Strangford and Minister of Health.

During the event, attendees had the chance to listen to an interview with Mr. Nesbitt conducted by Claire Dickson, former Head of The Scoop at Queen's Radio. Following the discussion, participants were given the opportunity to pose questions to Mr. Nesbitt.

Thanks for listening!

This House Would Legalise Cannabis

Hello, hello, one and all! And welcome to this! The thirteenth ordinary meeting of the one hundred and seventy-sixth session of the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society! The House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Would Legalise Cannabis".

Speaking for the Proposition were Noah Ralphs, Grant Warren, and Sam Haslett, and speaking for the Opposition were Matthew Spratt, Tailte McSparron, and Jonathan Massey. Guest-President-ing for the evening was the Secretary of the Literific Trust, Ryan Hoey.

Timestamps as follows:

(00:00:00) Order, order!

(00:00:55) Announcements

(00:04:00) Minutes

(00:09:49) Private Members’ Business

(00:15:43) Presidents Question Time

(00:25:16) Vote of Prior Opinion

(00:27:03) Rules of the Debate

(00:28:09) Noah Ralphs, First Prop

(00:35:47) Matthew Spratt, First Opp

(00:43:26) Grant Warren, Second Prop

(00:50:12) Tailte McSparron, Second Opp

(00:57:24) Sam Haslett, Third Prop

(01:05:18) Jonathan Massey, Third Opp

(01:13:07) Questions from the House

(01:23:37) The Vote

(01:25:13) Meeting adjourned!

Thanks for listening!

This House Would Boycott X

Hello, hello, one and all! And welcome to this! The twelfth ordinary meeting of the one hundred and seventy-sixth session of the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society! The House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Would Boycott X".

Speaking for the Proposition were Hugh Child, Luke Collins, and Noah Ralphs, and speaking for the Opposition were Aoife McCauley, George Farnon, and Luke Duffy.

Timestamps as follows:

(00:00:00) Order, order!

(00:00:27) Minutes

(00:09:10) Announcements

(00:10:41) Private Members’ Business

(00:19:01) Presidents Question Time

(00:24:35) Vote of Prior Opinion

(00:25:46) Rules of the Debate

(00:26:56) Hugh Child, First Prop

(00:34:37) Aoife McCauley, First Opp

(00:41:56) Luke Collins, Second Prop

(00:49:12) George Farnon, Second Opp

(00:55:20) Noah Ralphs, Third Prop

(01:03:00) Luke Duffy, Third Opp

(01:08:35) Questions from the House

(01:16:26) The Vote

(01:17:37) Meeting adjourned!

Thanks for listening!

LitTalk: In Conversation with Stephen Flynn MP

Hello, hello, one and all! And welcome to this! On Monday, 9th December 2024, at 19:30, The McMordie Hall in the Music Building hosted the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society's first LitTalk of the 176th Session. The event featured Stephen Flynn MP, sitting MP for Aberdeen South and Leader of the SNP in the House of Commons.

During the event, attendees had the chance to listen to an interview with Mr. Flynn conducted by Claire Dickson, former Head of The Scoop at Queen's Radio. Following the discussion, participants were given the opportunity to pose questions to Mr. Flynn.

Thanks for listening!

This House Supports Government Intervention to Ban Books in Schools

Hello, hello, one and all! And welcome to this! The eleventh ordinary meeting of the one hundred and seventy-sixth session of the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society! The House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Supports Government Intervention to Ban Books in Schools".

Speaking for the Proposition were Tailte McSparron, Jack Murray, and Dermot Hamill, and speaking for the Opposition were the QUB English Society represented by Max Kieran, Zach Savage, and Ciara Swail. Guest-President-ing for the evening was the President of the 169th Session, Calvin Black.

Timestamps as follows:

(00:00:00) Order, order!

(00:01:27) Announcements

(00:03:39) Minutes

(00:11:55) Private Members’ Business

(00:27:20) Presidents Question Time

(00:33:27) Vote on Prior Opinion

(00:36:49) Tailte McSparron, First Prop

(00:44:27) Max Kieran, First Opp

(00:51:56) Jack Murray, Second Prop

(00:58:26) Zach Savage, Second Opp

(01:05:38) Dermot Hamill, Third Prop

(01:13:18) Ciara Swail, Third Opp

(01:22:07) Questions from the House

(01:32:29) Announcement Recap

(01:33:32) The Vote

(01:34:41) Meeting adjourned!

Thanks for listening!

This House Believes The Presumption Of Innocence Fails Victims

 Hello! Here is the recording of the 24th Ordinary Meeting of the 175th Session of QUB Literific, where, on the 25th April 2024, the House gathered for for the motion "This House Believes The Presumption Of Innocence Fails Victims".

Speeches begin at 00:25:35.

This House Would Elect The House Of Lords

Hello! Here is the recording of the 23rd Ordinary Meeting of the 175th Session of QUB Literific, where, on the 18th April 2024, the House gathered for for the motion "This House Would Elect The House Of Lords".

Speeches begin at 00:20:55.

This House Would Abolish Mandatory Coalition (School's Competition Final)

 Hello! Here is the recording of the 175th Session Schools' Competition Final of the 175th Session of QUB Literific, where, on the 12th April 2024, the House gathered for for the motion "This House Would Abolish Mandatory Coalition".

Speeches begin at 00:09:40.

This House Believes Classics Are Classist

 Hello! Here is the recording of the 21st Ordinary Meeting of the 175th Session of QUB Literific, where, on the 28th March 2024, the House gathered for for the motion "This House Believes Classics Are Classist".

Speeches begin at 00:27:00.

This House Would Retain The British Overseas Territories

Hello! Here is the recording of the 20th Ordinary Meeting of the 175th Session of QUB Literific, where, on the 21st March 2024, the House gathered for for the motion "This House Would Retain The British Overseas Territories".

Speeches begin at 00:13:00.

This House Believes Privacy Is Dead

 Hello! Here is the recording of the 19th Ordinary Meeting of the 175th Session of QUB Literific, where, on the 14th March 2024, the House gathered for for the motion "This House Believes Privacy Is Dead".

Speeches begin at 00:30:20.

LitTalk: In Conversation with Sir Robert Buckland

On Monday, 11th March 2024, at 18:30, The Canada Room in the Lanyon Building hosted the Queen's University Belfast Literary and Scientific Society's second 'LitTalk' of the 175th Session. The event featured Sir Robert Buckland MP, who serves as the Chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee in the House of Commons and is formerly the Secretary of State for Justice. During the event, attendees had the chance to listen to an interview with Sir Robert conducted by Claire Dickson, Head of the Scoop. Following the discussion, participants were given the opportunity to pose questions to Sir Robert Buckland.

Dufferin Competition: This House Believes It Is Time For Ukraine To Negotiate With Russia

Hello! Here is the recording of the 18th Ordinary Meeting of the 175th Session of QUB Literific, where, on the 7th March 2024, the House gathered for the Dufferin Competition for Best Speaker of the House, guest chaired by William Crawley. The motion, announced 15 minutes before the debate, was "This House Believes It Is Time For Ukraine To Negotiate With Russia".

Speeches begin at 00:41:30.

This House Regrets The American Revolution

 Hello! Here is the recording of the 17th Ordinary Meeting of the 175th Session of QUB Literific, where, on the 29th February 2024, the House gathered for for the motion "This House Regrets The American Revolution".

Speeches begin at 00:26:30.

This House Believes Society Has Strayed Too Far From God

 Hello! Here is the recording of the 16th Ordinary Meeting of the 175th Session of QUB Literific, where, on the 22nd February 2024, the House gathered for for the motion "This House Believes Society Has Strayed Too Far From God.

Speeches begin at 00:25:00.

This House Believes The Republic Has Forgotten Northern Ireland

 Hello! Here is the recording of the 15th Ordinary Meeting of the 175th Session of QUB Literific, where, on the 30th January 2024, the House gathered for for the motion "This House Regrets the Decline of the SDLP". This debate was in collaboration with the TCD College Historical Society and to them we send our thanks.

Speeches begin at 00:16:10.

This House Regrets The Decline Of The SDLP

Hello! Here is the recording of the 13th Ordinary Meeting of the 175th Session of QUB Literific, where, on the 30th January 2024, the House gathered for for the motion "This House Regrets the Decline of the SDLP". Speeches begin at 00:16:10.

This House Believes Harry Potter Is More Influential Than Lord Of The Rings

Hello! Here is the recording of the 12th Ordinary Meeting of the 175th Session of QUB Literific, where, on the 25th January 2024, the House gathered for for the motion "This House Believes Harry Potter is more influential than Lord of the Rings. Speeches begin at 00:42:10.

This House Would Stop The Boats

 Hello! Here is the recording of the 11th Ordinary Meeting of the 175th Session of QUB Literific, where, on the 7th December 2023, the House gathered for for the motion "This House Would Stop the Boats".

Speeches begin at 00:02:15

This House Regrets The Industrial Revolution

 Hello! Here is the recording of the 10th Ordinary Meeting of the 175th Session of QUB Literific, where, on the 30th November 2023, the House gathered for the motion "This House Regrets the Industrial Revolution".

Speeches begin at 00:11:55.

Godkin Novice's Debating Competition: This House Believes There Is A Viable Alternative To Democracy

 Hello! Here is the recording of the Godkin Novice's Debating Competition of the 175th Session of QUB Literific, where, on the 23rd November 2023, the House gathered for the motion "This House Believes There Is A Viable Alternative to Democracy".

Speeches begin at 00:30:10.

This House Believes The UK Is Ready For A Labour Government

 Hello! Here is the recording of the Literific's Stormont Mixer (Great Debate), where, on the 17th October 2023, the House gathered for the motion "THB The UK Is Ready For A Labour Government".

Speeches begin at 00:02:45.

This House Prefers A Sinn Fein Government

 Hello! Here is the recording of the 9th Ordinary Meeting of the 175th Session of QUB Literific, where, on the 16th November 2023, the House gathered in Trinity College Dublin for the motion "TH Prefers A Sinn Fein Government".

Speeches begin at 00:11:20.

This House Believes Achieving Net Zero Is Not Worth The Cost

 Hello! Here is the recording of the 8th Ordinary Meeting of the 175th Session of QUB Literific, where, on the 9th November 2023, the House gathered for the motion "THB Achieving Net Zero Is Not Worth The Cost".

Speeches begin at 00:38:25.

This House Regrets The Fall Of The USSR

 Hello! Here is the recording of the 7th Ordinary Meeting of the 175th Session of QUB Literific, where, on the 2nd November 2023, the House gathered for the motion "THR The Fall Of The USSR".

Speeches begin at 00:22:30.

This House Would Live In A Genderless Society

 Hello! Here is the recording of the 6th Ordinary Meeting of the 175th Session of QUB Literific, where, on the 26th October 2023, the House gathered for the motion "THW Live In A Genderless Society".

Speeches begin at 00:26:30.

This House Believes The British Empire Did More Good Than Harm

 Hello! Here is the recording of the 5th Ordinary Meeting of the 175th Session of QUB Literific, where, on the 19th October 2023 the House gathered for the motion "THB The British Empire Did More Good Than Harm".

Speeches begin at 00:30:10.