Students learn all about European politics

By Michelle Crean

Visiting the “capital the European Union” was one exciting trip for local students as they got to see world politics first hand.

Over three very busy days, Transition Year students from St Brigid’s Secondary School, learned about the work of an MEP, the functioning of the European Parliament and Ireland’s place in the EU. Their programme included information sessions, tours and briefings at the European Parliament and the Irish Representation to the Council of the EU.

They were under the guidance of Killarney man and MEP for Ireland South and leader of Fine Gael in the European Parliament, Seán Kelly. He brought them, and other students from Ireland South, there to experience the EU Parliament first hand after winning the annual ‘Meet Your MEP’ essay competition.

Those that travelled wrote winning entries on the question ‘How will the EU adapt to the effects of climate change?’.

“I am very pleased to have had the opportunity to welcome such engaged and enthusiastic students to Brussels to learn about the inner workings of the EU institutions and my work as an MEP,” Mr Kelly said.

EU LAW

“Approximately 70% of Irish legislation originated from EU law. The work we do here in Brussels has real impact on the day-to-day lives of Irish people, and as we deal with more shared challenges – like climate or health for example – decision-making at EU-level will become even more important. For this reason, I am passionate about engaging young people in the EU. This trip was an opportunity to show students first-hand what it means to be an EU citizen, and it has proven to be extremely successful.”

During their tour of the Parliament, the students were asked what they hope for the future of the EU, Aoibhin Kelly, St Brigid’s Secondary School, said she hoped for “peace across the EU”.

“Pre-COVID-19, I organised the TY essay competition annually,” Kelly explained. “I am delighted to have it back up and running. A personal highlight from the trip was meeting with each student and hearing them present their ideas on the future of EU climate and energy policy. I was incredibly impressed with their detailed knowledge on conservation efforts, the EU energy union and renewable technologies. Our children and grandchildren will inherit the world we leave behind, it is essential that we give them a voice on such issue.”

MEP Kelly will attend COP27 this weekend as a member of the delegation from the Parliament’s Industry, Energy and Research committee.

“As I told the TY students following their presentation, I will take the ideas that they shared with me to COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.”