Oireachtas Workshop

In February 2008 our school was picked out as part of a pilot scheme concerning the workings of the Houses of the Oireachtas. One workshop was completed in April 2008 and the second part was delivered on the 5^th and the 12^th December 2008 to our two 3^rd year CSPE classes, 3A and 3B. 

The second workshop which is just completed was delivered by a facilitator, Mr. Martin O Donoghue who works for the Oireachtas.

In the workshop students covered many areas including spending the €46 billion for the 2008/09 budget into the different departments accoprding to their choice, designing rules and laws for their own desert island among other things. Students also had to compose questions to ask to local politicians who spoke to both classes as part of both workshops.

As the senate was in session Mr. John Ellis could not attend for the second workshop but Mr. Frank Feighan TD attended and answered questions on both days. Mr. Ellis may visit the classes in the new year. All in all the two workshops were very educational and enjoyable. Students are currently writing up a report on this action project which will account for 60% of their final mark in CSPE 

Sincere thanks to Mr Martin O Donoghue, the facilitator, Mr. Frank Feighan TD and Senator John Ellis and others for participating and making the workshop such a success.