03-06-2025
Wexford student highly commended for Oireachtas essay competition submission
The competition is open to students in the senior cycle, TY, fith and sixth, and encourages young people to explore politics in an original and though-provoking way.
It was devised by Independent NUI Senator Rónán Mullen with the support of the Ceann Comhairle's Office and the Oireachtas Education Unit.
Hundreds of students across the country submitted essays in Irish and English on the theme 'Parliamentary Politics Liberates' / 'An tSaoirse agus an Pholaitíocht Pharlaiminteach' – in reverence of the 250th Anniversary of the birth of 'The Liberator', Daniel O'Connell.
Presenting the prizes, Deputy Ó Fearghaíl said that greater engagement by young people with the political system was 'vital for the health of our democracy and for our ability to overcome the many challenges we face at home and abroad.'
'We are delighted with the growing support for Aiste an Oireachtas – with a significant increase this year in the number of entries received,' says Senator Mullen, the Competition Convenor.'
'Since Aiste an Oireachtas began in 2022, we have had registrations and entries from almost half the secondary schools on the island of Ireland (47 per cent). 'It is clear that schools recognise the importance of getting students to think about our democracy and the need to work it for the common good.'
