Madam, – Brian Mooney asks “What must today’s teenagers think of our parliamentary structures when TDs seem to spend almost no time in the Dáil chamber?” (Education Today, October 19th) I am happy to answer that they are likely to know this is an overly simplistic understanding of the role of a TD.
Today’s students know TDs are also busy in parliamentary committees considering Bills, meeting and taking onboard the views of each sector of society as well as fulfilling their duties to their constituents. This is thanks to an enlightened initiative of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission to provide CSPE students and teachers with a classroom workshop that explains how their national parliament works. So, today’s students (and tomorrow’s voters) may be less likely to judge TDs purely by how many times they are seen sitting in the Dáil, despite “the background of lurid headlines” Mr Mooney refers to.
Approximately 18,000 Junior Cycle students have taken part in the Houses of the Oireachtas Outreach Programme since it was launched in 2007. A marked increase of CSPE students choosing politics as their CSPE Action Project is a welcome outcome of this initiative. Like most other parliaments around the world, the Oireachtas has recognised the urgent need for future generations to possess an accurate understanding of their parliamentary and political system. Considering the increased commentary about civic society and citizenship in light of our current circumstances, the fundamental empowerment that this initiative provides is all the more timely. – Yours, etc,