Ceann Comhairle chairs CPC debate on EU

Deputy Sean Ó Fearghail, Ceann Comhairle, supervising the debate.

Presentations and a debate for an Erasmus Days event held in Cross and Passion College on Monday revealed strong skills among members of the CPC Debating Club in proposing and opposing a motion on Is it Beneficial to be an EU Citizen?, writes Brian Byrne. All took place under the supervision of no less than the Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, Seán Ó Fearghail TD. 

It was the first such event in CPC, which has recently become involved in the Erasmus+ expanded EU education mobility initiative. Opening the occasion, CPC's Mary Quinto provided a brief overview on how such events provide a platform to showcase EU citizenship and create intercultural dialogue and engagement.

German visitors Daniel Lutz and Luise Zabel outlined the vision of the Erasmus initiative to promote friendships through learning and also in spreading the values of the union. In addition to discussion and debate, there was also an opportunity to sample food from different countries, prepared by CPC students and their families. 

There are 23 different countries represented in the school community and a drama workshop during the day showcased elements from a number of the different cultures, demonstrating ways of how they can interact with each other. This was facilitated by Serena from Italy, Marta from Spain, Makis from Greece, and Tuana from Turkey, who are all part of the Erasmus EU Solidarity Corps, volunteering with Crooked HouseTheatre.

The debate raised a wide range of positives relating to the EU, including addressing climate change, response to Covid, economic growth, free trade, healthcare, and foreign relations. Those debating in opposition highlighted geopolitical conflict, nationalism and loss of identity, competing economic interests raising mistrust between nations, and the heavy burden on smaller countries and small businesses created by EU regulation and bureaucracy. The role of the Erasmus initiative was noted as a key positive, especially now that it is not limited to third level students, and the expectation that the CPC involvement will have a knock-on positive impact on Kilcullen. 

Revealing that he had been a Eurosceptic when he was young, Deputy Ó Fearghail said Ireland's experience had shown how positive the bloc's development had been. He commended the standard of the debate, and particularly how the quality of research was so much better than it had been in his time in second level education. He also particularly praised the Erasmus programme and its aims. 

While the adjudication of the debate by the Ceann Comhairle and CPC Principal Joe Leonard suggested the proposers of the benefits of EU citizenship to have won the day, it was agreed to have been a very close result. The confidence of the teams on both sides was acknowledged, as was appreciation of the difficulty in arguing in opposition. Certificates were presented to the debaters and to the Debating Club.

The event finished up with students, staff members and invited guests chatting together and enjoying a feast of international food. 

NOTE: This report was compiled from the work of a team of students who provided photographs and information about the event: photographers Emily Strong and Ailbhe Cashin, and reporters Evey Brand and Sam Gaynor. The Diary very much appreciates their contributions. (All their photographs can be viewed here.)

Jake Byrne, Kitmarie Hunter and Sam Moussilides - opposing team.

Niamh Hourihan, Jan Keating and Aoibhe Toft - proposing team.

Members of the Debating Club and debating teacher Niamh Thorpe.

Fiona Murphy, Daniel Lutz, Luise Zabel, and Mary Quinto.

Ceann Comhairle Sean Ó Fearghail and CPC Principal Joe Leonard.

Some of the food prepared by students and families.

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