Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join with the Chairman and other members in welcoming our guests. I will confine my comments to our young speakers. I am sorry that I arrived too late to hear some of the contributions but I heard the overall thrust of them. I wish to be associated with some of Deputy Eric Byrne's comments. The longer we are here the older we get and I speak as someone who is reminded by my wife every day that I am getting closer to a very special birthday in the next few days. I am also speaking as someone who has taken a very active interest in young people's affairs over many years. I go to schools and colleges, sometimes to take it on the chin and to brave it out, but I often say to young people who feel there is a lack of support and a lack of encouragement, that we have to start somewhere and we have to start by acknowledging our mistakes.

Many different parts of society have let down our young people. We need to make a start to redress that. I meet with Deputies, Senators and Ministers from all parties and none who are very determined in that respect. It is important to acknowledge the work of the organisations. Oftentimes we refer to our young people as being the leaders of tomorrow when in fact, here we have leaders of today. Other people will be the leaders of tomorrow and we need to encourage and support them as much as possible. I agree with the Chairman's offer to follow through on the links and the established relationships so that we can help young people on their journey. If we never achieved anything else as parliamentarians and as adults, except playing our part in encouraging our young people and helping them on their journey through the pathways they wish to pursue, then we will have achieved a great deal. I am very happy to affirm the Chairman's offer for the committee to help the organisations achieve this.