On Wednesday, March 3rd , 2R and 2S went to Leinster House. We started our visit at 1:30 arriving there at 1:50. We were straight away led into a main reception area where we hung our coats and left our bags. We then were guided up to the Dáil chamber where a debate was taking place on Health. Mary Harney was there with Michael King as the oppisition. Then our tour guide, Ray, met us. Ray showed us the Seannad chamber and portraits of the recent Taoiseachs of Ireland and the history of the house and the family which lived there. We saw many old Irish artefacts. Some of us got a picture taken with Bertie Ahern on the outside steps of Leinster House.
At 4:00 pm, we led to the lounge and had refreshments and Lucinda Creighton, our local TD arrived for some questions. She was very inspiring and answered well. She advised us how to become aware in politics and how to become included. We left with Young Fine Gael “Goodie” bags equipped with highlighters, pens and a Leinster house poster and a leaflet showing the life of a TD. We came back to school on the Luas after completing one of our action projects for our Junior Certificate. Mr Hennesy and Ms. Conway accompanied us, and by the end of the trip everyone had had a good day. The trip has inspired us and taught us much of the work and life of the Irish Government.