MEP visits Tipperary school

MEP Kelleher visits Rockwell College, Co. Tipperary as part of the European Year of Youth

Ireland South MEP Billy Kelleher paid a visit to Rockwell College last week to speak to Senior Cycle students about his work as an MEP and to listen to their views as part of the European Year of Youth.

Kelleher, a Fianna Fáil MEP in the centrist and liberal Renew Europe group, spoke to over 50 senior cycle students who are preparing for their Leaving Certificate after being invited by the school management.

“As part of my work as an MEP, I try to meet with and listen to as many different groups in Ireland South as possible. For me, listening to our young people definitely gives you a different perspective. They see the world very differently, in some ways, to my generation and listening to them helps me reflect their views better in the European Parliament.

“2022 is the European Year of Youth where the European institutions are particularly seeking to engage with our continent’s young people - the future leaders of our European Union.

“It’s especially important as we have just concluded the Conference on the Future of the European Union, where political leaders and citizens came together to discuss what type of Europe they want to live in.

“Our young people want a greener, more democratic and more integrated Union. They also want the Union to be rooted in common sense. They oppose the divisive hard right rhetoric coming from certain Member States and want the EU institutions to stand up for the core values on which our Union - the greatest peace project the world has ever seen - was founded.

“I want to thank the students, the teachers: Simon Kenny, Michael Doyle and John O'Meara, and the school management for allowing me the opportunity to visit and engage with the school community. I look forward to further visits to schools in Co. Tipperary over the next 18 months,” concluded Kelleher.