Professor John O'Brennan:

The introduction of politics and society at second level is a game-changer. Much can be done in the format. Approximately one third of the curriculum is devoted to Europe and the curriculum was finely judged in the way it was put together. We were impressed with it. We have ongoing contact with teachers. We invite our local schools to all the events we run on Europe and they have come to a lot of them. We had huge attendance a few weeks ago when President Zelenskyy addressed all Irish students through the universities. We brought the local post-primary school students in. We could work with the teachers' representative organisations. They have been active in soliciting support from the universities for particular parts of the curriculum to help them deliver the course. They could be the key contacts rather than careers and guidance counsellors, not only to build the sense of connection to Europe but also in the narrower sense that Deputy Richmond is suggesting, of steering students towards applying for posts in the Commission and potentially in other institutions. It can be done if they are the key interlocutors at second level.