University of Limerick

Minister for Finance, Mr. Michael Noonan T.D. was presented an Honorary Life Membership (HLM) award by the University of Limerick Debating Union at a special event held at UL on the 26th January 2012.

The Debating Union awards Honorary Life Membership to those they consider to have contributed to debate and discourse. Previous recipients have included the late former Taoiseach Dr. Garrett Fitzgerald, who was presented with the Auditor’s Medalin the spring semester of 2011, and the economist Mr. Max Keiser, who was awarded a HLM in the autumn semester of 2011. The President of the University Professor Don Barry will be presented with a HLM in early March of this year.

Auditor of the UL Debating Union, Ms. Sarah Hardiman, has commented that the society is eagerly anticipating the event. "HLMs are only occasionally awarded by the society to people who make outstanding contributions in public life and discourse," she added. "We selected Mr Noonan because we respect his dedication to his political work during these economically turbulent times. As a TD in this constituency and as an individual we hold so much admiration for, we are extremely excited to welcome Mr Noonan to the society."