As part of our TY Sustainability module, 18 students travelled to Leinster House to develop their understanding of how the Oireachtas works and the link between community activism, Law and Politics.
Research shows that emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities are responsible for an approximate 1.1° global temperature increase since 1850-1890, and finds that rises are expected to reach, or exceed, 1.5°C by 2040 (IPCC, NASA). The world is currently on course for an estimated 3° rise by the end of the century (UN).
Within this context, students assessed the Government’s climate actions to date. It was surprising to note that Ireland’s emissions rose instead of falling in 2021 (EPA). In advance of the visit to Leinster House, a working group drafted a number of suggestions in the form of an open letter. The letter was signed by 1,282 students and staff at 5 West Cork schools over a 48-hour period: Skibbereen Community School, Sacred Heart Clonakilty, Mount St. Michael’s Rosscarbery and Schull Community College. The letters and signatures were presented to all three Cork South West TDs – Deputies Michael Collins, Holly Cairns and Christopher O’Sullivan – who were very interested in discussing the issues with the students.
We were given a tour of Leinster House and observed Leader’s Questions in the Dáil Chamber where we were publically welcomed by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar. We also sat in on a discussion in the Seanad where the proposed Electricity Costs Emergency Measures Bill 2022 was being debated. The visit was an incredible opportunity to witness democracy in action and the experience sparked plenty of healthy discussion, debate and engagement.
We picnicked in St Stephen’s Green and finished off our trip with a whistle-stop tour of the National Gallery, where we were able to enjoy works by Caravaggio, Goya, Van Gogh, Monet and Picasso!
