Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is correct. That is the point I am making. We have many challenges but there are also many positives.

I ask the young people in the Gallery to please engage with us. Do not take us for old fogeys who are out of touch and not living in reality. We live in reality. We have nieces and nephews. Many of us in this House have sons and daughters who understand the challenges of going to college or, as someone mentioned earlier, being in a box room for the past two years and using Zoom, being unable to socialise and giving up everything. I understand that fully. Jesse Jackson, in his 1988 Democratic convention speech said, "Don't you give up ... keep hope alive ... don't surrender". To the young people in the Gallery, I say do not give up or surrender. Continue to work to make our country a great place. We in this House will work with you. The Government will facilitate and work to bring change.

I suggest to the Minister of State that we consider a citizens' assembly for young people. We have had assemblies for a myriad of other topics. It is important that we have a citizens' assembly devoted to young people, their issues and concerns, and their hopes and aspirations.