Up For Debate

Ronald Byrne, a teacher in in a 1980s Dublin school is the debating society's founder. He is fastidious in appearance, reliable, and never out sick. He dyes his hair, and almost always looks the same.

However, he also possesses the condition of being unmemorable. Everyone knows little-to-nothing about his private life. Plus, they aren't the least bit inquisitive.

Fr. Noel O'Loughlin, is an art teacher in the same school. He is cruel and sadistic, and punishes anyone who appears to have blemished the white walls of his classroom, which he paints himself.

On the night of the season's opening debate, O'Loughlin, despite never appearing for any before then, makes a last-second entry. What happens after that is a psychological battle between him and Byrne, in which they are not only spectators to the debate, but also participants.

Up for Debate, is another exquisite title from Robert E. Kearns in which the reader is asked to ponder if, in a battle between good and evil, good always wins.