Louth students encouraged to enter Oireachtas essay competition

Parliamentary Politics Matters for Peace or An Pharlaimint agus an tSíocháin is the theme of the 2nd Annual Oireachtas Essay Competition / Aiste an Oireachtais, to be launched by the Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD, on Tuesday 17th October in Leinster House.

The Oireachtas Essay Competition was started last year by Independent NUI Senator Rónán Mullen with the support of An Ceann Comhairle and the Oireachtas Education Unit. The Competition is bilingual and aims to get young people to reflect on and discuss politics and the democratic process. Students across the Island of Ireland in 5th or 6th Year for the Leaving Cert or studying  AS or A level subjects are eligible to enter.

An increased prize fund of €6,000 is on offer this year. The Principal Sponsor is books and stationery retailer Eason with associate sponsorship from educational publishers CJ Fallon and Folens.

Students participate by first registering on the Competition website www.oireachtasessay.ie / www.aisteanoireachtais.ie by Friday 10th November. On registration, each student will receive a numerical code with which they must upload their essays to the website by Friday, 24th November.

“This year’s Oireachtas Essay Competition invites students to think about how members of parliament should be, and can be, agents of peace, and how the work of parliament can contribute to peacebuilding,” says Mr Ó Fearghaíl.

“The latest outbreak of violence in the Middle East, the invasion of Ukraine and the conflict in these and other places present what appear to many people as intractable problems that defy hope. 

"Yet peace must come. No matter how difficult progress may seem, people of goodwill must work for peace. Cultural, religious, community and political leaders all have a vital role.

"The Senior Cycle students taking part in Aiste an Oireachtais are among those who will in future assume responsibility for our world. 

"Their preparation for that leadership role is part of their life now. We are delighted, through this Competition and in other ways, to support them as they prepare for future leadership.”