Laois young people get political at Comhairle na nÓg’s national showcase

Young people from Laois got the chance to meet some of the country's key decision makers at  Comhairle na nÓg’s National Showcase in Dublin Castle earlier this week. 

A group of twelve from Laois were among 400 young people aged between 12 and 17 from every country in Ireland that attended the event. Hosted by presenter and podcaster Fionnuala Jones, the event brought together the Taoiseach Michaél Martin, Minister Norma Foley, Members of Government and Senior Government Officials to engage directly with young people on the issues that matter most to them. CONTINUE READING BELOW PHOTO

PICTURED: Back row L-R : Rowan McKenna, Tara Phelan, Veniamin Sahaidac, Jack Marron, Pride Ncube, Rórí Keane. Front row L-R: Kacie Constantinou, Áine Barrett, Chloe Kavanagh, Sara Lawlor, Anna-Maria Sahaidac, and Emma Ging.

Chloe Kavanagh from Laois Comhairle na nÓg shared their perspective: “The Comhairle showcase is such an amazing event, it means so much to be able to join all of the Comhairlí together and meet young people who care about their communities and do incredible work to try and help others.” 

Run by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), the biannual showcase provided a vital platform for the 31 Comhairle na nÓg groups to present their work and connect directly with decision-makers on policies that impact their lives. The showcase highlighted the power of youth-led action and demonstrated how young people are influencing policy development at local and national levels.

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Taoiseach Micheál Martin praised the event, stating: “Comhairle na nÓg provides young people across the country with the opportunity to have their voices heard. I am delighted to see so many energetic and engaged young people here today expressing their views on topics that impact them. It is of the utmost importance that we consider their inputs, and keep their futures in mind, in all of our Government’s work.”

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, highlighted the importance of youth participation, saying: “Comhairle na nÓg is a fantastic forum for young people across Ireland, giving them an opportunity to share their views and influence policy development on a local, regional, and even national level. Today’s event provides these young people with an excellent opportunity to speak directly with policymakers, Government representatives and those having a direct impact on their lives on a wide range of issues, and I have thoroughly enjoyed witnessing it first-hand.”

Throughout the day, young people participated in panel discussions, interactive exhibitions, and networking sessions with policymakers and government representatives. These discussions tackled pressing issues such as mental health, education reform, climate action, transport and youth rights, reinforcing the significant role young people play in shaping Ireland’s future.