Parlon says Macra debate helped career

WHO better to launch the Macra-02 National Debating finals than someone whose career has taken him from victory in the finals to membership of the Government, as a junior minister.

Junior Finance Minister Tom Parlon said the art of debating has stood to him throughout his career, when he launched the finals, at a function in the Office of Public Works, Dublin.

The debating finals will be contested by Sligo Town Macra and the Ladysbridge club from Imokilly, Co Cork, during the Macra AGM in Ballyvourney, Co Cork on May 10.

Macra national president Seamus Phelan said that the debating competition enables individuals to develop the key skills of presenting an argument by critically appraising an opposing view and thinking clearly and speaking persuasively.

O2’s Community Relations Manager, Jill Johnston said, “The ability to debate a subject is a powerful form of communication and it’s very appropriate that a mobile communications company such as O2 should be associated with the event.”