Louth students debate climate issues at Dail na nOg
Six members of Louth Comhairle na nOg had the unique opportunity of attending the Dail na nOg annual event which for the first time was held in the Dail Chamber in Leinster House.
This venue was chosen to mark the ongoing celebrations of the sitting of the first Dail in 1919.
This years event theme was climate change and the young people attended workshops with expert facilitators on the climate change issues to enable them to articulate their views on what steps the Government, local authorities and they themselves can take to reduce the impact of climate change.
Caoimhe Wall, Florence Goodayle and Keisha Molloy had been involved in the steering group for the event for the last four months to ensure that young people were involved at every level of the proceedings. Their input was key in ensuring young people had the best possible opportunity to have their voices heard on this key issue.
On the morning of the event Caoimhe Wall represented Louth at a tree planting ceremony in the grounds of Leinster House with the Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl.
Following the workshops in the morning the full group of delegates took part in a voting session in the Dail Chamber where they were joined by Minister for Children Katherine Zappone and the incoming National Executive will focus on transport and climate change in 2020.
The afternoon session in the Dail Chamber was Chaired by Caoimhe Wall from Louth who is a representative from St.Vincents Secondary School.
Minister Zappone commented on the professionalism of all the speakers and how important it was for young people to have their voices heard on these issues.