Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Hugh, I commend you on your eloquent and insightful evidence. Let me say that you are a credit to yourself, to your family and to your school, The Patrician Academy in Mallow in County Cork. The committee is committed to hearing the voices of young people and this afternoon you have articulated the views of young people in a meaningful and substantive way. You have a bright future ahead of you.

As Chair of the committee, I thank you for having the confidence to write to the committee. Not many 15-year-olds take the time to write to a group of politicians. If they say politicians do not listen to young people, you are very much proof of politicians listening to young people. By writing to us, you have had the opportunity to appear before an Oireachtas committee. There are a very limited number of people who have appeared before Oireachtas committees in public session over the years and you are, I would think, the youngest person to appear before an Oireachtas education committee.

It is only right and proper in discussing matters that have major effects on young people that we hear the voices of young people. I thank the witness for giving his time. I hope he enjoys the rest of his summer holidays and gets back to school in September. I hope it will be a full school year and we will not still feel the effects of Covid-19. I hope it will be well behind us because it has had such a significant effect on young people both in primary and secondary school.