St Peter's NS pupils visit Leinster House during historic week

30 5th class students in St Peter’s National School in Dromiskin attended Leinster House on a school visit organised by local Dundalk Senator John McGahon.

The students were accompanied by their teacher Ms Rodgers and their Principal Ms Lynch where they got the opportunity to visit the Dáil and the Seanad in Leinster House.  Former Taoiseach John Bruton had sadly passed away the same week the students came for their visit, which meant all regular parliamentary business was suspended. 

Students got to hear statements and expressions of sympathy for the late Taoiseach and were taken through the historic portrait gallery of former Taoisigh.  

Senator McGahon explained how laws are made and passed and took students on a tour where he explained the history of the house.

“Even though regular parliamentary business was suspended on the day of the student’s visit, the students received a really informative tour where they learned all about how laws are passed and how work is carried out in Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann", Senator McGahon explained.

"They also learned about how the Houses of the Oireachtas works, the history of Leinster House itself and how Oireachtas committees work."

"We have organised tours for hundreds of Co Louth primary and secondary students in the past few months and the feedback from teachers and parents has been really positive. It is a great way to bring history and CSPE to life and to show students how the laws of our country are made.

“It is a great way to see politics inaction and hear politicians speak on issues that affect the lives of students. The students from St Peter’s were an excellent bunch of pupils who represented Louth and did their teachers and parents proud. They asked many insightful questions on a range of political issues, how laws are made and the history of Leinster House and behaved brilliantly.”

“Students were particularly interested in climate change, how politicians are elected and education topics. There are definitely some budding politicians and diplomats in St Peter’s 5th class and it is great to see young people engaging enthusiastically with politics.”

"Anyone watching Oireachtas TV would have seen some well behaved St Peter’s NS students in the gallery” concluded Senator McGahon.