Westgrove Hotel, Clane, Co Kildare 7th & 8th November 2014

National Youth Conference 2014 | 1 PROGRAMME OF EVENTS FRIDAY 7TH NOVEMBER SATURDAY 8TH NOVEMBER 17:00 REGISTRATION OPENS 8:00 - 10:00 POLLING IN CENTRAL OFFICER BOARD ELECTIONS 18:45 - 19:00 WELCOME ADDRESS & OFFICIAL OPENING 10:00 - 11:00 ORGANISATIONAL MOTIONS WORKSHOP 19:00 - 19:30 HUSTINGS Regional Positions 11:00 - 12:30 EMPOWERING OUR YOUTH Chaired by Senator Thomas Byrne Chaired by Dara Calleary TD

19:30 - 20:00 HUSTINGS 12:30- 13:30 MEDIA TRAINING WORKSHOP National Positions Facilitated by Lisa Regan, LRPR Chaired by Senator Darragh O’Brien 14:30 - 16:00 YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH - 20:00 - 20:30 HUSTINGS A RISING CHALLENGE Policy & Campaigns Chaired by Charlie McConalogue TD Chaired by Cllr. Fiona O’Loughlin 16:00 - 17:00 POLICY MOTIONS WORKSHOP 20:30 - 21:30 WINNING THE REFERENDUM – MARRIAGE EQUALITY 17:00 - 17:15 CONFERENCE CLOSING Chaired by Senator Averil Power SESSION Speech from outgoing Uachtarán 21:30 - 22:15 THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE Chaired by Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD 17:45 - 18:30 COUNTING OF BALLOTS Central Officer Board Elections 22:15 ENTERTAINMENT Photobooth 20:00 GALA BANQUET DJ

SECURITY NOTICE All attendees must wear their conference pass at all times. Please contact registration ! if you have any queries. 2 | Ógra Fianna Fáil National Youth Conference 2014 | 3 Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur romhaibh ar fad go failing our young people. Cill Dara le haghaidh na Comhdhála seo .Tá me A MESSAGE FROM Fianna Fáil believe that the government approach to cinnte go mbeidh an Chomhdháil seo fiuntach agus apprenticeships should be over hauled so that there taitneamhach. Gan dabt tá suil agam go mbeidh can be a rebalancing of our educational system so MICHEÁL MARTIN TD craic, comhráagus caidreamh ann freisin. UACHTARÁN FHIANNA FÁIL that it puts a greater value on high-skills vocational I am delighted to welcome you all here to Kildare for training for the one in five of students who are not our Fianna Fáil National Youth Conference. When especially interested in an academic focus. This there is so much cynicism about politics it is always will give them the skills to work in more traditional heartening to see so many young men and women practical occupations, and the digital economy. interested in politics and in particular Fianna Fáil. Businesses and enterprises should be encouraged to Nowhere has the Government’s policy of spin over put in place an overarching apprenticeship structure substance been clearer than in the area of Youth for those students who wish to follow that path. We Unemployment. The Taoiseach and Government published a National Youth Employment Policy in Ministers have been spending lavishly on launches, 2012 and suggested: policy documents and summits in Europe on the »» Employers should be exempt from PRSI when issue, yet the actual impact of the Youth Guarantee they employ 17 -24 year olds. Fund is yet to be felt. »» 100,000 job seekers should receive ICT skills There was €8 billion euro pledged by Europe training over a 4 year period to combat the unemployment scourge across Europe. This fund will be spread over 7 years. That’s »» An additional 5000 Job-Bridge places for those approximately €208 per person, per year to solve under 25 years old youth unemployment in the European Union. This is »» Reinstate Career Guidance Counsellors in Irish a far cry from what the young citizens need. Secondary Schools In Ireland there were 73,400 (15.4%) of young In the UK, the government has given the go-ahead to people in Ireland aged between 16 to 25 years old setting up a new type of college which will provide who were not in education, employment or training vocational training to young people from the age in the second quarter of 2014. This is a shameful of 14. statistic. Radical action needs to be taken on youth unemployment. Unemployment affects people in This type of programme should be introduced a very negative way and can lead to mental health in Ireland. We have called for an extra 1000 problems which Ogra covered in detail at last year’s apprenticeships to be made available in Ireland conference in Sligo. across industry. This policy proposal will help rebuild the Irish economy and also to reduce youth Government inaction in this area has been the unemployment. focus of criticism from the OECD and the European Commission who claim Ireland now risks the Finally, I am looking forward to listening to all of emergence of a lost generation. your proposals about how youth unemployment, as well as other issues, should be tackled so that we I firmly believe that more needs to be done to alleviate can add your suggestions to our policy documents. or eliminate work disincentives and unemployment traps. The youth unemployment rate in the Eurozone Is mise le meas, has remained at 24% throughout last year which show that both national and European policies are

4 | Ógra Fianna Fáil National Youth Conference 2014 | 5 Delegates, strong relationships and connections outside of our organisation through increased participation with A MESSAGE FROM Welcome to the Ógra National Youth Conference for external bodies, and increased collaboration and what promises to be a great weekend. engagement with other youth political organisations Cllr. KATE FEENEY When the outgoing Central Officer Board was in Ireland and Europe. Last month, our application UACHTARÁN ÓGRA elected at the last National Youth Conference we to become full voting members of LYMEC was set ourselves, and you the members, a challenge accepted at the LYMEC Congress in Berlin. to ensure that Ógra returned to being a strong Ógra’s role is central to the continued revival of campaigning organisation. Fianna Fáil. As we continue to learn from other With thanks to all of you, we have succeeded in this organisations and our new members, while building goal, through campaigns like Healthy Living, Nek on the experience already within our ranks, Ógra Donate, Seanad Reform and two strong budget needs to ensure that our voice is heard in Fianna campaigns we have proven that our policies are Fáil’s General Election Manifesto and that Fianna relevant and that we have a great campaigning Fáil’s general election candidates share and team within our ranks. represent our views. This ability to campaign, convey our message and This task is achievable. The calibre of candidates support our members played a huge role in ensuring putting their names forward to contest elections 22 members of Ógra gained seats on local authorities at this Conference proves this. I would like to last May. To hold an unprecedented number of congratulate those who are uncontested on their elected representatives amongst our membership new positions, and wish each of the candidates well will help us strengthen our message and ensure that in their elections. when decisions are being made about the future Finally, I would like to thank all of you for your role direction of Fianna Fáil, and the future direction of in securing Ógra’s numerous successes over our our communities, we have both a voice and a vote term, none of it would have been possible without at the table. the support of each and every member. I would also This strong campaigning presence has also aided like to thank both Adrian O’Higgins and Christabelle two strong third level recruitment drives. Our new Feeney for their invaluable work behind the scenes members are bringing with them new ideas and in their roles as National Youth Officers, without fresh energy to ensure that Ógra continues to grow. which so many of Ógra’s achievements would not have been possible. That growth will be vital over the next 18 months as we face into numerous referenda and a general I would particularly like to convey my sincere thanks election. We need to ensure that as an organisation to my colleagues on the outgoing Central Officer we are to the fore in promoting our republican Board for their contribution. Their commitment values during these campaigns, ensuring that to Ógra, in pursuing goals and outcomes for the equality wins out and that our most vulnerable betterment of our society, is unwavering and we as are protected. Over that last term Ógra have not an organisation are stronger as a result. only highlighted the many inequalities arising from successive unfair budgetary decisions made by the current government, we have also put forward fairer and costed alternatives. As we have grown internally, we have also forged

6 | Ógra Fianna Fáil National Youth Conference 2014 | 7 A MESSAGE FROM A MESSAGE FROM SEÁN DORGAN CHRISTABELLE FEENEY GENERAL SECRETARY NATIONAL YOUTH OFFICER

Welcome Ógraí! work of the staff in Fianna Fail Headquarters and the I am delighted to welcome you to Clane for our work and leadership. I would like to wish all those inspirational work ethos of our Party Leader Micheál I am delighted to welcome you, both new and existing National Youth Conference. It gives me great running for election this year the very best of luck Martin. In him, we have a Party Leader who is invested members of Ógra to what promises to be a weekend pleasure to particularly welcome all the new with their campaigns. A special word of thanks too in young people, understands the challenges we of great debate, discussion and socialising. It has members of Ógra Fianna Fáil who have joined us for to the local organisations for their diligent work face and is committed to the progression of a Party been an exciting and busy eighteen months since their first National Youth Conference. I encourage over the past number of months. Finally, thanks to that is reflective of its membership. you to share your ideas and actively participate in Christabelle Feeney, our National Youth Officer, for our last youth conference. Surging membership the many workshops this weekend. I hope that this her dedication and energy since becoming National numbers across all third level institutions has meant I would also like to thank the outgoing Central weekend marks the start of a long, enjoyable and Youth Officer. that Ógra Fianna Fáil retains the title of largest Officer Board for the tremendous work they have productive membership of Fianna Fáil. political youth movement in the island of Ireland. put in during their term on membership growth, I wish you a successful and enjoyable weekend, and However, your work has not ended there, with many policy formation, campaigns and building relations Since our last National Youth Conference, Fianna look forward to meeting with you and hearing your of you running in local election campaigns or indeed with our European colleagues. Fáil has successfully fought the Seanad referendum views over the course of the weekend. assisting those that were. As you look around this A special thanks also to Cllr. Rob Power and the local campaign and contested the Local, European and weekend, you will see many of the Ógra Councillors organising committee in Kildare for their work on bye-elections. We are now the largest party at local that were elected as a result of that hard work, who the organisation of this Conference. Finally I would government level and close to 40% of our councillors will work for the continued renewal of Fianna Fail. are first-time councillors. like to thank Seán Dorgan, Darragh McShea, Annie Ógra has led the way on many policy developments Keegan and Fintan Phelan in Fianna Fáil HQ for their Ógra Fianna Fáil has been an integral part of all of within Fianna Fáil, such as the campaign on marriage help and advice in planning for #NYC14. these campaigns and I want to thank you for your equality which led the senior party to endorse I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible hard work and dedication on behalf of the party. It Marriage Equality. The importance of equality to over the course of the next two days. is a great testament to our members that Fianna Ógra can be seen in this weekend’s programme, with Fáil stood alone amongst Irish political parties and emphasis being placed on the Marriage Equality Have a great Conference. fought off the government’s power grab to abolish referendum and the importance of mobilizing voters our Seanad. for this campaign. Throughout the Local and European elections, The overall theme of this National Youth Conference Ógra brought great energy and enthusiasm to the is ‘Rising to the Challenge’ reflecting on the many campaign. This is evident in the successful Ógra challenges currently facing us as Ireland’s youth. Shop Local campaign which enabled candidates and Now is the time for Ógra to rise to such challenges Ógra members to actively engage and support their and act as a voice for those who cannot fight for local communities. Ógra is further strengthened by themselves, to put forward credible solutions and our 22 Ógra Councillors. I have no doubt that over progressive campaigns to tackle these problems the next five years these councillors will serve as role and make Ireland a place in which young people can models for the entire Ógra membership and indeed prosper again. the youth of Ireland. Since taking over as National Youth Officer in July I would like to thank the outgoing Uachtarán of Ógra 2014, I have been heartened by the commitment, Cllr. Kate Feeney and the officer board for their hard vision and enthusiasm of our members, the hard

8 | Ógra Fianna Fáil National Youth Conference 2014 | 9 A MESSAGE FROM A MESSAGE FROM ROB POWER KEITH HENRY LOCAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE NATIONAL COUNCIL CHAIRPERSON

WELCOME TO KILDARE NYC 2014! renewing the party. Ógra has the opportunity to ​A Chairde, of the Central Officer Board who are accountable become the face of that renewal and lead the way in On behalf of the organising committee, it’s my to you their electorate. I would like to thank the putting forward change we are proud to stand over. At our gathering this weekend we as young pleasure to welcome you to Clane, Co. Kildare for outgoing COB for their cooperation and wish those I encourage all delegates to grasp that opportunity members of Fianna Fáil have a lot to celebrate. The the 2014 National Youth Conference. contesting elections this weekend the very best of at this weekend’s conference. Participate in the hard work and dedication that you have put in over luck. I’m very proud that this year’s NYC is taking place debates, share your opinions and don’t be afraid the last 18 months since our last NYC, has put us in county Kildare, the home of Arthur Guinness, to question others’. Engage wherever you can and back as the largest party in local government. The I hope you enjoy participating in the conference this Theobald Wolfe Tone and Christy Moore. I’m sure encourage other to do the same. local elections also saw many of our Ógra members weekend and I look forward to seeing many of you the life’s works of all three gentlemen will be well gain the trust of the electorate to represent them on again at the National Council AGM. Finally, a very special word of thank you to the staff celebrated at various stages over the weekend. their local authority and many more took the brave in party headquarters and particularly to Annie Mise le meas, jump to be a candidate. I am delighted to welcome members from all corners Keegan and Christabelle Feeney for their fantastic Keith Henry of the country and in particular, I extend a warm work and support in organising this conference. I While we have a lot to celebrate this weekend, we National Council Chairperson welcome to those of you attending your first NYC. wish you all an enjoyable weekend. also have a lot to discuss to ensure that we put our New members are the life blood of any organisation best foot forward to influence policy development and your presence here this weekend is testament in our party and in our society. This discussion has of to the strong contribution of Ógra to the wider course been ongoing over the last 18 months in the renewal of Fianna Fáil. form of National Council meetings. Since our last NYC we have held eight National Council Meetings The Ógra NYC is the largest political youth and debated 77 different motions. We have also conference in Ireland each year. The organising brought the National Council to new venues to committee have arranged an excellent line up of further enfranchise debate among our membership. speakers and debate topics which I hope you’ll find engaging and enjoyable. Among the key decisions that members made at National Council this term was a resounding Since we last met our party has contested elections endorsement for applying for full membership across every constituency and ward in the country. of LYMEC. Just a fortnight ago we brought this Many delegates here this weekend will know the mandate to the Autumn LYMEC congress and were work that went into those campaigns and thanks accepted with great enthusiasm. We have the ability to their efforts we are once again the largest party to work with our colleagues in Europe to influence at local government level. Of the 267 Fianna Fáil real change there and to learn from the experiences Councillors elected last May, Ógra has supplied 22 of other members. The quality of the motions to those ranks. The public have seen that we are contained in the clár show that there is an appetite putting forward strong ideals and policy alongside for engaging with policy development at all levels. capable young candidates and are responding positively to that. It has been a pleasure to work to ensure that your views have been upheld and respected in a Now is the time for Ógra to redouble its efforts in democratic and transparent manner by the members

10 | Ógra Fianna Fáil National Youth Conference 2014 | 11 MARRIAGE EQUALITY - EMPOWERING WINNING THE REFERENDUM OUR YOUTH Friday 7th November Saturday 8th November 20.30 - 21.30 11.00 - 12.30

Chair: Chair: Senator Averil Power Dara Calleary TD Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Education and Skills, Seanad Éireann Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Speakers: Speakers:

Tiernan Brady Feilim Mac An Iomaire (Jobless Paddy) Policy Director GLEN Paddy Power PR/Media Relations Manager

Laura Harmon Micheál Martin TD President of Union of Students Ireland Uachtarán Fianna Fáil

Margaret Gill Deirdre Coghlan Murray Marriage Equality Activist and GALAs winner Managing Director, Clark Recruitment

12 | Ógra Fianna Fáil National Youth Conference 2014 | 13 YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH - National Youth Conference 2014 A RISING CHALLENGE Saturday 8th November 14:30 - 16:00 Chair: GALA Charlie McConalogue TD Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Education and Skilld

Speakers: BANQUET

Angela and Alan Hayes Westgrove Hotel Survivors of Suicide & writer of ‘Survivor’ Saturday, 8th November 2014 8:00pm Nikki Hayes Spin1038 DJ Speaker: Entertainment: Micheál Martin TD Bullets in Chicago Aaron Galbraith Uactarán Fhianna Fáil followed by DJ Youth Empowerment Services

Tickets €20 Limited number of tickets available from the Registration Desk

14 | Ógra Fianna Fáil National Youth Conference 2014 | 15 ÓGRA - A YEAR IN PHOTOGRAPHS 16 | Ógra Fianna Fáil National Youth Conference 2014 | 17 #NekDonate Campaign Marching with Pride 2014 18 | Ógra Fianna Fáil National Youth Conference 2014 | 19 Seanad Referendum 2013 Accepting Full Membership of LYMEC 20 | Ógra Fianna Fáil National Youth Conference 2014 | 21 LOVE A GOOD PARTY? JOIN ÓGRA.

#ShopLocalSaturday Campaign 22 | Ógra Fianna Fáil National Youth Conference 2014 | 23

robert troy td charlie mcconalogue td CENTRAL OFFICER BOARD ELECTIONS 24 | Ógra Fianna Fáil National Youth Conference 2014 | 25 NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP UACHTARÁN ÓGRA & RECRUITMENT DIRECTOR

NAOISE EOIN JESSICA PASCHAL Ó CEARÚIL Ó NIALLÁIN NÍ MHAOLÁIN LEHANY Kildare Clare DOM, UCC CDB, NUIG Cllr. Naoise Ó Cearúil is 25 years ​Eoin is a member of the National Hi everyone, My name is Jessica Ni Hi! My name’s Paschal Lehany. old and a native of Maynooth, Co. Executive (Committee of 20) since Mhaolain. I am a 22 year old student, I’m 20 years old and from Sligo. Kildare. He currently holds the the 2012 Ard Fheis and hails from and currently completing a Masters I study science in NUI Galway position of Irish Language and Ennis, Co. Clare. After some time program in UCC’s Government where I’m currently the chair of Cultural Officer in Ógra Fianna Fáil. working as an Engineer in the UK, department, having graduated this Cumann de Barra, NUIG. If elected Educated in Maynooth University with a degree in Law he now lives at home in Clare where he works in the summer with an undergrad in Health Promotion. I joined to the position of Ógra Membership and Recruitment and Business and a Diploma in Irish. construction industry. He is also active in the community UCC’s Ógra unit, Donogh O’Malley Cumann, shortly after Director my priorities will be; to work with the third level with several charity and community groups as well as the the 2011 general election, and went on to become chair of and regional organisers to expand Ógra into third level In 2012 he served as Vice President of Maynooth Students’ Fianna Fáil party locally. the Cumann in 2013. In late 2013, I was elected Women’s institutes outside of universities; to expand Ógra outside Union and previously as President of NUIM Law Society Rapporteur for Ógra, which is a role I’m extremely of third level institutes by building up CDCs; to retain and NUIM Irish Language Society. Naoise joined the Seán Eoin has been active at almost every level of Fianna passionate about. active membership after members graduate; to help Lemass Cumann while in college and served as PRO. He Fáil since joining the party in NUIG where he served as Ógra members have a more powerful voice in the senior was elected to Kildare County Council in last May’s local chair of Cumann de Barra. He is currently While overseeing our recruitment drive this year, numbers party; and to continuously work with CDCs and third level elections, representing the Maynooth/Clane Municipal of Clare Ógra and was the founding chairperson of the have increased significantly, which is what Ógra needs in cumainn on recruitment. Area. London cumann. Eoin served of the National Executive as order to continue the long tradition of youth participation Munster Ógra rep. in 2007/2008, a time that Ógra took in politics. Naoise has proven leadership qualities and aims to make the initiative of beginning the recruitment of members in Ógra Fianna Fáil a more Republican organisation if elected. the 6 counties. As a full time public representative, Naoise will have the Since being re-elected to the National Executive, Eoin time, commitment and profile to make Ógra a more active, has prioritised the continuing renewal process, ensuring inclusive and professional organisation. that the voice of the grassroots is effectively heard on the Árd Chomhairle. Coupled with this, Eoin has been active on policy development, most notably during the Seanad referendum where he penned a reform proposal which was subsequently ratified by both Ógra and the party at large. These are veins he very much wishes to continue along as Uachtarán Ógra Fhianna Fáil.

26 | Ógra Fianna Fáil National Youth Conference 2014 | 27 NATIONAL POLICY NATIONAL POLICY & CAMPAIGNS DIRECTOR & CAMPAIGNS DIRECTOR

JOHN IAN SUSAN KEATING WOODS WHELAN Kildare KBC, UCD Waterford Hi, my name is John Keating. I My name is Ian Woods and I’m here Hi, my name is Susan Whelan. I have am a 22 year old Political Science to ask for your number one vote for been an active member of Fianna student at Trinity College. I have the office of policy and campaigns. Fáil since 2006, first in the Con been a member of the Wolfe Tone I’m running on a message of Colbert Cumann in UL, Waterford Cumann since 2011 and while in identity and mobilisation. I believe Ógra and the Donagh O’Malley the Cumann I have served as First Year Representative, that the next year will be a defining period for our party Cumann in UCC. I am an active member of the Futures Assistant Treasurer and Treasurer. Outside of the Wolfe and that before then we need to develop a clear vision for Group, a policy think tank associated with Fianna Fáil. Tone Cumann I have been involved in the Trinity Politics this country and mobilise our members to get out there I studied Law & European Studies (LLB) in UL and hold Society, serving as Chair of the 2013/2014 session. I have and tell people about it. I want Ogra to play a strong role a LLM in Human Rights Law and Public Policy from UCC. also been an extensive contributor to The University Times in fighting the upcoming referendum and general election My thesis was focused on US campaign finance regulation where I was the Senior Polling Editor in 2014. and in finding an idea for the party to fight for. and the role of corporations in public discourse. Through my studies, I have extensively analysed the I am a PhD student studying Translational Medicine with an I was admitted to practice as an Attorney in New York various economic and political factors which impacts M.E. in Biomedical Engineering. I’ve served as Secretary and am currently employed in financial services. I have policy formation and implementation. I have also been an and Policy Officer of the UCD Kevin Barry Cumann volunteered with many national and international charities active canvasser in a number of Student Union elections and Secretary of Dun Laoghaire Ógra. I’ve worked as a and am currently serving as the Community Officer of in both Trinity and UCD. researcher in Germany, Sweden and China and bring a Junior Chamber International. technical approach to policy formation. I coach tae kwon If elected as Ógra’s Policy and Campaign Officer I hope do in UCD and surf and windsurf when the weather is I am a veteran of three referendum campaigns with the to reform the culture surrounding policy and campaign being kind. I love debating and there’s no better craic than civil society groups Generation Yes (Lisbon II Oct 2009), formation. Ógra’s policies and campaigns should have a arguing politics with people. I joined Ógra to try to make Yes for Children (Childrens referendum Nov 2012) and greater role for member input. I feel that Ógra’s position a difference in our country and I believe that together we Democracy Matters (Seanad abolition referendum Oct as the largest youth wing in the country is a unique can make our ideas matter. 2013). advantage and needs to be more effectively harnessed when it comes to policy and campaigning matters. I firmly I have the experience, I have the plan and I have the One of my key priorities if elected will be in developing believe that member driven policy should form the basis passion to make this organisation an Ógra worth fighting the skills of individual members through their active of future local and national campaign. for. involvement in policy formation and leading campaigns in their area.

28 | Ógra Fianna Fáil National Youth Conference 2014 | 29 NATIONAL EVENTS CONNAUGHT/ULSTER DIRECTOR ORGANISER ORGANISER

local area. I see my role as Dublin Organiser primarily as BARRY DAVID JAMES empowering members to actively run their own unit and to facilitate a stronger presence in Dublin. The goal for GILLEN KEANE DOYLE Dublin is to have Ógra fighting fit to support Fianna Fáil candidates in the next General Election. Tá súil agam go Galway Galway Dublin Fingal mbainfidh sibh taitneamh as an gComhdháil Náisiúnta Ógra. Barry Gillen is a native of Oranmore David was elected to the Central Hi all, I’m James Doyle, I’m 25 years Co. Galway and an economics and Officer Board in June 2014. He old, and I am delighted to have law student in Dcu where he chairs is a 20 year old law graduate of been nominated for the position the PPC. He is also the treasurer of NUI Galway from Athlone, Co of Dublin Organiser. I have been Galway west Ógra, secretary of the Roscommon. an Ógra member since 2008 and Ogra National Council and serves on Coiste na Gaelige, was involved in the cumainn in and I re-established Roscommon Ógra in 2012 and chaired Fianna Fáil’s national irish language committee. NUI Maynooth. I currently work in financial services in the unit for 18 months. He has also held a number of Dublin. My first experience of Fianna Fáil in action was As national events director I intend to bolster the ongoing committee positions in Cumann de Barra in NUI Galway. Senator Averil Power’s local election campaign in 2009, efforts to increase engagement with national Council I have already spent 5 months in the position of and it encouraged me to stay involved and be active. I by adding to the event, transforming it from a debating Connaught-Ulster organiser and have worked to aid care passionately about the Dublin region, especially chamber to a forum in which expert speakers will be the establishment and development of Ógra Units in about issues such public transport, housing, and youth brought in to help unskill the members on relevant topics Connacht-Ulster and assist in co-ordination of campaigns employment. throughout the term. and policy development in the Region. I serve as Secretary of my local Ógra unit in Dublin Fingal. The Irish language is a fundamental part of Ógra and I I worked on engaging Ógra in the recent Roscommon This unit has been re-established in the last two years intend to build on the work already done by adding South Leitrim bye-election, and I am committed to with the encouragement of Senator Darragh O’Brien. seachtaine na Gaeilge as a major part of the ogra calendar. working for and with the members and units of Ógra in Our members were heavily involved in the recent local With the recent success of our bid to join LYMEC I want the region. elections through canvassing and leaflet dropping, and to incorporate our sister ALDE and LYMEC youth parties we also submitted a bid for the NYC. I hope to bring into some of our events and increase the general level of enthusiasm and strategic planning to the role of Dublin inter-party events nationally. Organiser and I look forward to collaborating with our Dublin members. Dublin is vitally important to the continued success of Fianna Fáil, and I believe that Ógra’s goals in the capital should be simple but ambitious. We have excellent third level units in the region and we need to link up Dublin cumainn members with their home units. It is also key that units have regular meetings and participate in their

30 | Ógra Fianna Fáil National Youth Conference 2014 | 31 MUNSTER ORGANISER NORTHERN ORGANISER

JAMES DAVID BRIEGE the Down Ógra CDC which has a large active membership. Also, the situation at Stormont is worsening with each O’CONNOR GRIFFIN MacOSCAR passing year, with the devolved institutions now verging on bankruptcy. While the DUP and Sinn Féin have been Cork East Clare WTC, TCD inadequate in Government, this also represents a failure by all those party to the peace process. As Northern My Name is James O’Connor and I’m My name is David Griffin and I am Hi my name is Briege MacOscar. Organiser, with the help of the other members of the running for the position of Munster the first-year representative in the I first became involved in Fianna COB, I aim to increase pressure on the Irish Government Organiser. With your help I want to UL Ógra cumann and co-treasurer Fáil and Ógra when I joined the to engage positively in the North, fulfilling and continuing build upon the outstanding work of of Clare Ógra CDC. After some Wolfe Tone Cumann in Trinity the role it as played in the peace process. my predecessor Emer O’Donovan. deliberation, I have decided to College, where I study law. I became contest the election for the position of Munster Organiser actively involved in the Cumann and this year serve on its I joined Fianna Fáil when I was 16. I am currently in 5th at the National Youth Conference this weekend. committee as a CDC rep. Year in Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, Youghal, Co. Cork. It is my Experiencing the disillusionment with politics first-hand intention to study economi