Six Cork City Young People Join Ireland's National Youth Parliament at Leinster House

Six young people from Cork City took their seats in the Dáil chamber today as part of Ireland's national youth parliament, Dáil na nÓg 2026, held at Leinster House.

Ellie, Jessica, Isabelle, Aine, Halle and Zayan were among 174 delegates from Comhairle na nÓg, the local youth councils representing all 31 local authorities across Ireland, who gathered to debate key issues in education.

Now in its 24th year, the biennial parliament focused on reforms to the Relationship and Sexual Education curriculum, school and exam stress, and the creation of resources under the theme Our Voices, Our Schools. Following preparatory workshops, delegates voted to bring two priority topics, the Irish language and continuous assessment, forward for formal debate and a final vote in the Dáil chamber.

The event was hosted by the Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy TD, who chaired the opening session. She said:

"It is a great privilege to welcome young people into Dáil Éireann. The Dáil Chamber is at the heart of our democracy, and it is vital that young people have the opportunity to bring their voices directly into it. In an increasingly polarised and online world, it is encouraging to see young people from all backgrounds come together in person to engage respectfully and constructively with one another on the issues that affect their lives.

The level of insight and thoughtfulness shown by delegates today is a powerful reminder of the role young people play in shaping the future of our society.

I commend all of the young people involved for their contributions today and hope it will play a valuable role in informing national policy."

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, said:

"It is wonderful to see such passion for education and a desire from young people to improve the education system for all. From the moment children are born, they are learning. Early learning and care and school-age childcare settings play key roles in supporting children's learning, development and well-being in their early years, complementing the central roles of parents, communities and schools.

We need to listen to the voice of children and young people, and I am so very pleased that the views and vision of Dáil na nÓg delegates will be brought forward to the Convention on Education."

Minister of State for Disability, Emer Higgins TD, who also attended, said:

"It's a real privilege to be here today to represent government and to hear Dáil na nÓg delegates discuss the important topic of education and knowing these discussions will help inform the Convention on Education. It's really clear from the discussions here today that young people are key to identifying the issues that affect their lives on a daily basis, and it's important that as a government, we take the time to listen and learn from those valuable insights."

The outcomes of Dáil na nÓg 2026 will be submitted to the Convention on Education, the first in over 30 years, for consideration.

Dáil na nÓg is organised by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality in association with members of Houses of the Oireachtas and Government. Further information is available at www.comhairlenanog.ie.