The Donegal Fermanagh Youth EForum, a cross border project between members of Donegal Youth Council and Fermanagh Shadow Youth Council made a trip to Parliament Buildings, Stormont, the home of the Northern Ireland Assembly, on the 13th April, 2006. The Youth Councillors got the opportunity to meet with some of the local Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and Councillors from each of the four political parties. These meetings took place in one of the many committee rooms within Parliament Buildings. They then had the chance to ask various questions about their role, the youth sector in Northern Ireland and the future of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The trip was facilitated by the education service, which is attached to the Assembly. The group were given a brief history of Parliament Buildings and the Assembly, how it was set up, the power it would have if it was up and running, how the First and Deputy First Minister are elected and so on. This trip could not have been at a more historic time with Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern having just unveiled their blue print for restoring devolution. The Youth Councillors got a real feel for what is to come.
The Youth Councillors then had a guided tour of the building and got to take their seats around the table in the Debating Chamber and assumed the role of those who would have sat in the seat previously.
Afterwards, the group headed into Belfast city centre where FSYC Councillors showed their Donegal counterparts what the capital city had to offer. Everyone had a truly informative and enjoyable day.
A return visit to the Dail Eireann, Dublin has been organised for June to compare the two jurisdictions.
The Donegal Fermanagh EForum Project is funded by SEUPB through Measure 5.2 of the Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (Peace II).
The Donegal Youth Council initiative is funded by the Council’s Community & Enterprise Division, in conjunction with funding from the HSE North West and the National Childrens’ Office.
Janice Acheson
Donegal Fermanagh Youth E Forum
Community & Enterprise
Donegal County Council
Public Services Department
Neil T. Blaney RoadLetterkenny
TEL: 0749194200
FAX: 0749194394
E-MAIL: Janice.Acheson@donegalcoco.ie