The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
South Kerry students in Dáil climate crisis debate
FIVE students from South Kerry will represent the county in the Dáil as part of a climate-action panel, which will discuss how Ireland needs to address the climate crisis.
These include Lauren Foley from Killorglin, who said she joined up because she couldn’t sit idly by and do nothing about global warming.
She has altered her lifestyle to become more sustainable and she is ‘proud’ to play a role in taking responsibility for the country’s future.
India Grant from Kenmare (17); Peadar Ó Ghabhain, Ballinskelligs (11); Sean O’Sullivan, Killarney (16); and Aisling Rochford, Tuosist (16), are also part of 157 delegates who will participate in the RTÉ Youth Assembly on Climate in Dáil Éireann on November 15.
The number of delegates reflects the current number of TDs in Dáil Éireann, and proceedings on the day will be chaired by Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl.
The delegates, who are aged between 10 and 17 years, had information days in Dublin and Cork, with other gatherings set to take place in Sligo, Cork and Galway in the coming days.
The Youth Assembly, which will be at the heart of RTÉ on
Climate week, will see the delegates focus and debate on the following themes: environment; economics; food and farming; power; and education.
India Grant, who is a student at Pobail Scoil Inbhear Scéine, said that she wants a world that is safe to live in.
She said that her generation needs to sow the seeds of change and feels that this debate will help do this.
Peader (11), who is the youngest of Kerry’s delegate, is from Ballinskelligs and often cleans plastic from the nearby beaches.
He believes that the Government must fund more environmental projects.
Sean O’Sullivan from Killarney hopes to use this opportunity to encourage and lobby TDs to take action, and to put forward alternatives to Ireland’s agricultural sector, which he says contributes to a huge portion of carbon emissions in Ireland.
All the five South Kerry students – along with Tralee student, Judith Waugh – will have the opportunity to give their thoughts and views on the next steps for the Government during the assembly.
This initiative will be broadcast live from the Dáil Chamber on RTÉ News Now and Oireachtas TV.