Loreto College Foxrock was the venue for a very exciting and lively debate/question & answer session this morning.  Thank you very much from all here in Loreto to the public representatives who took part:  Ivana Bacik (Labour), Richard Boyd Barrett (People before Profit), Ciaran Cuffe (Green Party), Alan Shatter & Peter Mathews (Fine Gael), Maria Corrigan & Barry Andrews (Fianna Fail).  The debate was chaired by our Debates Captains Caoimhe Stafford (6^th Year) and Ludivine Rebet (5^th Year).

Each politician spoke for a few minutes about his/her background and party policies.  Then the discussion opened up as questions were invited from the floor.  All speakers were keen to give their views, and the audience was eager to hear what they all had to say.  Commenting on the event afterwards, some of our girls expressed the view that it was a great opportunity for students to get involved in the political process, and that it was a very interactive debate.  During and after refreshments, prepared by Ms Kenny and her catering 'team', our 'over-18' students were keen to keep the questions flowing and the candidates obliged willingly with answers.  Along with our 4^th, 5^th & 6^th Years, also attending this morning were members of our Board of Management and several members of staff.   The entire event was covered by the local press - the Dun Laoghaire Gazette.  Reports on the event will follow!  
The debate was organised by 4^th, 5^th & 6^th Year students across a range of student bodies:  the Student Council, the Election Committee, the Model United Nations and the Justice & Peace committee.  Coordinators were Ms Early and Ms Giblin.  Thank you to all students and teachers for organising such a timely and interesting event for our senior classes.  Thanks also to Ms Kenny and all the students involved in organising the refreshments.