Ceann Comhairle launches 3rd Oireachtas essay competition

"Keep faith in the potential of politics to change people's lives for the better," the Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl told students today at a gathering in Leinster House.

Mr Ó Fearghaíl was launching the 3rd Oireachtas essay competition (Aiste an Oireachtais), which this year invites students across the island to submit essays on the theme 'Parliamentary Politics Liberates’ or ‘An tSaoirse agus an Pholaitíocht Pharlaiminteach’.

Competition organisers are drawing on the example of Daniel O’Connell, the 250th anniversary of whose birth occurs in 2025, to reflect on how the practice of politics can overcome oppression and injustice.

The Ceann Comhairle encouraged his listeners to remember O’Connell’s legacy of peaceful agitation.

He said: "He did not succeed in everything he worked for, but he enabled people, not just in Ireland but internationally, to stand up for their own human dignity and freedom. In doing so, he lit a flame that has never gone out.

"O’Connell’s legacy is all the more important today, at a time when so many turn to violence with a vengeance to overcome injustice or injury sustained. It never works. Violence begets violence.

"However insurmountable challenges seem to be, we must never give up on dialogue. We must never give up on the power of parliamentary politics to change things for the better.

"We must never give up believing in democracy."

The competition invites students north and south (senior cycle and AS/A level students) to submit essays in Irish or English and to compete for a prize fund of €6,000.

This year, students in transition year, as well as 5th and 6th year, may take part.

Present at today’s launch was Mr Eamonn Crowley, CEO of PTSB which has taken up a three-year commitment as principal sponsor.

Education book publishers CJ Fallon continue as associate sponsor of the competition for the third year running.

The gathering was also addressed by Professor Patrick Geoghegan of Trinity College Dublin Department of History and author of a two-volume biography of Daniel O’Connell.

Prof Geoghegan joins the team of expert judges who have the final say on which essays secure prizes in the competition.

National and regional winners will receive their prizes at an award ceremony in Leinster House in spring 2025.

Students whose essays are highly commended will receive a special presentation in their schools.

"Many people wonder about the quality of our politics and the future of democracy itself," said Senator Rónán Mullen, competition convenor.

"This competition stimulates interest in the political process and helps students to reflect on, and hopefully find, their role in our democratic," he added.