TYs debate on fracking at model council

Meanscoil Mhuire students Grace Kenny, Jaimie-Leigh Fallon and Ailbhe Farrell pictured with Barbara Nolan (European Commission's Head of Representation in Ireland), Francis Jacobs (Head of European Parliament Information Office), teacher Michelle Keogh, and Estonian Ambassador Mr Mait Martinson.
Nine Transition Year students from Meán Scoil Mhuire travelled to Dublin Castle on Tuesday, March 4 to take part in the seventh annual Model Council of the European Union.

Nine Transition Year students from Meán Scoil Mhuire travelled to Dublin Castle on Tuesday, March 4 to take part in the seventh annual Model Council of the European Union.

Teacher Michelle Keogh prepared the students and accompanied them to Dublin on the day, where the school represented Estonia, debating their standpoint on the issue of Fracking.

The Scoil Mhuire students debated against 29 other schools from across the country, representing the 28 European Member States as well as the European Commission and the European Parliament.

The Council of the European Union is the main decision-making body of the EU, and the three Scoil Mhuire speakers - Grace Kenny, Jaimie-Leigh Fallon and Ailbhe Farrell, along with the six students who helped research the debate, were given the chance to really see how the council works.

Though they did not win the debate, which was organised by the European Commission Representation in Ireland, it was a great experience for the Longford students.