I was at Trinity when the Troubles were breaking out in Northern Ireland. The Hist was the main forum for discussing the difficult issues of violence and identity which were thrown up in sharp relief at that time. That role, of forum for debate, is still of vital importance in the present age to distinguish false news from the true, substance from shadow. It is a great asset that Trinity enjoys in this vigorous debating society empowering young people to participate in debates, benefiting them in the way scores of generations before them have done. It is no surprise that the Hist has had such sustained and continuing success in competitive debates against all comers.