Educational trip to the Dáil for Mullahoran NS students
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Caolán Sheils, sixth class pupil, presents Deputy Niamh Smyth, with a thank you token. Also in picture are staff members Rosemarie Heaney, Deirdre Shaughnessy, Mairéad McKeogh and Sarah Cullen.Image 2 of 2
Fifth and sixth class students from Mullahoran NS with Minister of State, Niamh Smyth.On a glorious May summer morning, 45 pupils from fifth and sixth class at Mullahoran National School enjoyed a memorable visit to Leinster House, home of the Oireachtas, Ireland’s national parliament.
The group toured both chambers of the Oireachtas — the Dáil Éireann, the lower house where laws are proposed and debated, and the Seanad Éireann, the upper house whose role is to revise and suggest changes to legislation.
Pupils learned how the Seanad can propose amendments to Bills passed by the Dáil and can delay — but not block — a law from being enacted.
The corridors of Leinster House were alive with activity, and the children recognised several government ministers and politicians. It was an exciting time to visit, as real political events were unfolding outside the building.
Outside Leinster House, the pupils witnessed a live civic moment: Cara Darmody, a courageous 14-year-old disability rights campaigner, was staging a 50-hour protest to highlight delays in accessing the Assessment of Needs (AON) system for children with disabilities. TV cameras were arriving to cover the event as Cara met with politicians and urging united political action on the issue.
A motion by Sinn Féin was scheduled for debate later that evening in the Dáil, calling on the Government to take urgent steps to address the AON backlog.
Sixth class teacher, Mairead McKeogh said: "The Mullahoran pupils watched all this unfold with great interest and excitement. It gave them a powerful, real-world insight into how democracy, protest, and political debate work in practice."The highlight of the visit came when the group met one of their local TDs, Niamh Smyth, who currently serves as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
The children presented her with a small gift on behalf of the school and a photo opportunity ensured a lasting memory of the day.
The visit was made extra special thanks to Julie Anne Sheridan, Minister Smyth’s Parliamentary Assistant, and a past pupil of Mullahoran NS who facilitated the visit.