When I walked into the Mansion House on Tuesday 29th November the hall was buzzing. 100 teenagers up to the age of 15 were grouped around tables where animated discussions were in full flow.

Comhairle na nÓg tries to emulate for young people the election process through which Dail members are chosen and the process used in Government to address issues which arise. The schools in the Dublin areas are invited to send representatives to a meeting such as this in the Mansion House and here the young people begin to participate in the process.

Three very enthusiastic young boys Daniel Stairs, Daniel Woods and Jamie Toner, whose comments on the day ranged from brilliant to fun, represented Star of the Sea. With the help of the facilitator they had discussed homelessness and issues around the multicultural society of today’s Ireland. Each table would vote to elect one member to be on the next year’s Comhairle na nÓg and members would also later in the afternoon make a five minute presentation of their table’s findings on the day’s discussion.

Mark Roche and Corey Hughes from Ringsend Technical School were in full spate at another table whilst the John Scottus School in Donnybrook and the International Turkish Educational Society were also there.

In a separate room I met with the more senior group of 10 representatives. With these, I found myself having no problem seeing them as ‘politicians’ of the future, exuding as they did a smooth confidence in manner and speech. The Council meets every two months in City Hall and can have opportunities to meet with members of Government and Dublin City Council.

Above: Pupils from the John Scottus school pictured with Councillor Dermot Lacey.