Dáil to form backdrop for European youth session

The Dáil chamber is set to come under new management next week when some 300 young people from 30 European countries convene a sitting of the European Youth Parliament.

The participants will debate a range of global issues and discussions will culminate in the two-day General Assembly in the Dáil on November 16th and 17th.

The overall theme of the event is underpinned by the recent 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome.

As well as looking back on 50 years of union in Europe, the young participants will also look to the future and discuss the challenges facing Europe in the next fifty years.

Climate change will be another hot topic of conversation during this session, which will see 15 topics discussed by participants, who are all aged between 17 and 26.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue last week handed over the keys of the chamber to the event organisers; the participants arrived in Dublin yesterday.

Event organiser Andrew Byrne believes the injection of young blood will see the Dáil chamber being "rocked by passionate debate and discussion".

"We're delighted that the doors of Leinster House are being thrown open to young people, to allow them have their say on the future of the continent," Mr Byrne said.

Each of the 15 areas of debate will be researched and discussed by a 20-strong team, who will spend this weekend completing team-building exercises and getting to know each other in Co Wicklow.

Committee work - which will see the teams discuss and formulate a resolution on their given topic - will then take place before the youth parliament sits next Friday and Saturday.

Each team will form a solution on their given topic and the organisers of the event are hopeful the resolutions, which will be sent to every TD, MEP and European commissioner, will be received and considered by the politicians in the context of future European policies.

Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche will address the opening ceremony of the youth parliament in Dublin Castle on November 12th.

President Mary McAleese will open the youth assembly on November 17th and the European commissioner for the internal market and services, Charlie McCreevy, will address the European Youth Parliament in Dublin Castle on November 14th.