No fear of e-voting for Dáil na nÓg as delegates debate key youth issues

Electronic voting held no fears for delegates at this year's Dáil na nÓg in Croke Park, where 200 delegates gathered on Saturday to discuss issues around road safety and attitudes to young people.

There were no calls for "silly 'aul pencils" from any of the delegates when it came to voting on the issues. The electronic key pads were pitched to them as being like what they'd see on Who Wants to be a Millionaire? and they raised no concerns about paper trails or the system's corruptibility.

Instead, the delegates showed an enthusiasm to make decisions on the issues and a belief that once made, they would affect government policy.

Minister for Children Brian Lenihan, who spent the day at the conference, pledged in his opening speech to bring the concerns of the young to the cabinet.

Dáil na nÓg is the national youth parliament and is organised by the National Youth Council of Ireland, Foróige and Youthwork Ireland in co-operation with, and on behalf of the Minister for Children.

It is designed to provide young people with an opportunity to feed their concerns into public policy and meets once a year. Delegates attend from the 34 local authority areas around the State.

On Saturday they were asked to vote on their top three issues related to road safety and attitudes to young people, based on topics raised at workshops during the day.

On road safety, they said there was a need for more punctual, scheduled and affordable public transport for young people, especially in rural areas. Secondary schools should include an interactive and practical class allocated to all aspects of road safety and it should be an exam subject.

They also said a compulsory course should be put in place for all young people applying for provisional driving licences, covering all aspects of road safety.

On attitudes to young people, the delegates agreed that more power and influence should be given to student councils and youth forums and that minimum standards should be ensured in their delivery through legislation.

They also said the community needed to have a better understanding of young people and not judge them on the way they looked, while adults needed to change their attitudes to young people.

Amy Satelle (15) from Crumlin was very clear on lack of consultation with young people leading to poor decisions.

"At our youth club we were told we were going to do clay shapes," she said. "A 15-year-old does not want to do clay shapes, that's what a five- or six-year-old would want to do, so why would anyone go? You have to ask the young people, say 'this is how much we have to spend, you tell us what you want to do'. I think a drop-in centre where you could go in and leave when you want to would be good."

James Doyle (17) from Malahide, co-chair of this year's Dáil, has been involved for five years and believed it was well worth while.

"I wouldn't feel confident that we'd get exactly what we would want but it would raise awareness," he said. "Last year we specifically asked for a website and we got it. Dáil na nÓg is becoming a force for change."