Dublin's Mansion House rocked to the strains of Eminem, Britney Spears and Westlife yesterday as 214 of Ireland's youngest politicians assembled for the 2002 Dáil na nÓg.
Boys and girls aged from seven to 17, chosen from Comhairle na nÓg around the country, represented every county and every socio-economic group at the second Dáil na nÓg. The Minister for Children, Mr Brian Lenihan, was there as the Grown Up representative to support the forum and report the views of the children back to the "other" Dáil.
The purpose of Dáil na nÓg is to provide a forum where children can raise and debate issues of concern to them. These discussions can help develop policy by the Government.
The children got straight down to business with the environment as the first topic for debate. Sellafield emerged as their biggest concern with the majority of children voting for its closure. Senan O'Connell (10), from Kells, Co Meath said: "Other countries can't back us'cos they have them as well, like France. And let's be honest, we all know England is in it for the money."
The idea of building more apartment blocks instead of single houses with gardens was criticised as not "child-friendly" with rural children hostile to the idea of not having a garden to play in.
The environmentally-friendly suggestions put forward included using derelict houses and sites to build houses and save space; posters advertising litter bins in chippers and cinemas; more research on chemicals that degrade refuse faster and camouflaged bins in scenic areas.
Disco-dancing at lunchtime was followed by a presentation on the National Play Policy from Ms Siobhan Lawlor of the National Children's Office. The play policy was ordered by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, following last year's first Dáil na nÓg. It is designed for children under 12 and aims to listen to their views and act upon them to ensure quality supports are in place for children's playtime.
The second debate was on drug and alcohol abuse. Ms Emma Donlon (15), from Ballyleague, Co Roscommon knew of many children her age who binge drink and abuse drugs. "In Roscommon there's not a lot for young people of my age to do. There are children breaking trees they're so bored. We need to do more." Ms Lorna Greene (17), from Dublin, believed "young people can get drink too easily".
Ms Jane Morgan Jones (17), from the Union of Secondary Students of Ireland, said Dáil na nÓg should meet more than once a year.
"We're going to research European youth parliaments to see how they do it," she added.
Mr Lenihan said he was very impressed with the children's comments on the environment.