Dáil na nÓg gives Liam the resources and tools for politics

A YOUNG Tallaght Leaving Cert student was one of the young people who attended the Dáil as part of Dáil na Óg recently.

Liam Kelly (17), from Fettercairn is Chairperson of the South Dublin Comhairle na Óg (Youth Council) and he along with the other members from that comhairle and the other 30 comhairlí nationwide attended the Dáil on March 27.

“It was fun seeing the other comhairles and people I would have met at networking events, for example the National showcase last year,” said Liam.

After meeting at the Freemason’s Hall, Molesworth Street, all the comhairlí walked to the Dáil where the youth members were broken up into groups and breakout rooms to identify topics for discussion.

The opening ceremony was chaired by the Ceann Comhairle, Sean Ó Fearghail TD.

The topics identified were body image, stress in school and mental health. A few specially chosen youth members gave speeches including a number from the Tipperary comhairle.

The topic that the members chose to discuss was school stress. Mary Butler, TD Minister of State for Mental Health gave the closing remarks and also gave the youth members a pamphlet on mental health.

Kingswood Community School student Liam Kelly from Fettercairn with newly elected Taoiseach Simon Harris

Afterwards, the youth members walked back to the Mason’s Hall and collected their Comhairle na Óg hoodies and other goodies.

This was Liam’s first time in Leinster House.

“I’m a real fan of the building, we got a tour of the Dáil and the chambers, I know the previous history regarding the Mansion House which I find fascinating,” he said.

Liam got involved in Comhairle nan Óg after one of his teachers at Kingswood Community College said that they thought it would be of interest to him as it involves youth advocacy.

“So I went to the AGM for the South Dublin Comhairle and I met lovely people, like-minded people.

“I have a passion for politics and I hope to go into it after school,” he said. Comhairle na nÓg have given Liam the tools and resources to do that including asking other youth members for help.

“It’s a tight-knit community,” said Liam.

The young Tallaght man is waiting until after he is old enough to vote before deciding on which political party, if any, he may become a member of.

“I should be more informed by then,” he said. When asked if the abuse that politicians receive online was a cause of concern for him as a prospective politician he affirmed that it was.

“Through events with Comhairle na nÓg and youth politics you get to meet current Ministers.

“…It’s very scary even hearing about it. …I hope people can come to the decision that, especially in the world that we live in, that we should work together instead of abusing each other online,” he said.