Stormont Visit


	Stormont Visit December 2010 Year 13 Politics Local Democracy Week Seminar and Stormont Visit Having tasted local politics as part of Local Democracy week in October, the Year 13 Politics students enjoyed a further educational visit to Stormont on Wednesday 15^th December 2010, on a joint excursion with Omagh Academy and Loreto. The Local Democracy Week Seminar was organised by Omagh District Council. Students had a question and answer session with representatives from the major parties. They took part in workshops on topical issues, such as Higher Education fees and the Lisanelly Project. The event was expertly hosted by local radio presenter and journalist Frank Galligan. At Stormont, they had the opportunity to meet and question representatives from all parties on the pressing issues of the day. This especially related to party inter-relationships and that day’s announcement on the Draft Budget and Consultation by the Executive. The Agriculture Committee’s clerk then briefed the students, giving them an insight into the impact on policy which Committee review can bring. The students further surveyed the historical buildings and from the spectators’ gallery, had an opportunity to observe an Amendment to a Waste Management Bill debate. As the visiting group gathered once more in the front foyer, they had an opportunity to view the live press briefings of the DUP and Sinn Fein on the budget announcement. They enjoyed photo opportunities with Peter Robinson (First Minister), Marin McGuinness (Deputy First Minister) and Sammy Wilson (Finance Minister), the latter joining in on a rendition of Jingle Bells with the students beside the Parliamentary Christmas tree, a festive offering featured on UTV Live that evening, as part of their Budget report. Special gratitude is extended to the Stormont Educational team for their assistance and to teaching staff Dr. R Reese, Mrs F Kirk and Mr N Donnelly. Year 13 Politics Local Democracy Week Seminar and Stormont Visit Having tasted local politics as part of Local Democracy week in October, the Year 13 Politics students enjoyed a further educational visit to Stormont on Wednesday 15^th December 2010, on a joint excursion with Omagh Academy and Loreto. The Local Democracy Week Seminar was organised by Omagh District Council. Students had a question and answer session with representatives from the major parties. They took part in workshops on topical issues, such as Higher Education fees and the Lisanelly Project. The event was expertly hosted by local radio presenter and journalist Frank Galligan. At Stormont, they had the opportunity to meet and question representatives from all parties on the pressing issues of the day. This especially related to party inter-relationships and that day’s announcement on the Draft Budget and Consultation by the Executive. The Agriculture Committee’s clerk then briefed the students, giving them an insight into the impact on policy which Committee review can bring. The students further surveyed the historical buildings and from the spectators’ gallery, had an opportunity to observe an Amendment to a Waste Management Bill debate. As the visiting group gathered once more in the front foyer, they had an opportunity to view the live press briefings of the DUP and Sinn Fein on the budget announcement. They enjoyed photo opportunities with Peter Robinson (First Minister), Marin McGuinness (Deputy First Minister) and Sammy Wilson (Finance Minister), the latter joining in on a rendition of Jingle Bells with the students beside the Parliamentary Christmas tree, a festive offering featured on UTV Live that evening, as part of their Budget report. Special gratitude is extended to the Stormont Educational team for their assistance and to teaching staff Dr. R Reese, Mrs F Kirk and Mr N Donnelly.

Contact Details
Address: Christian Brothers Grammar School, Kevlin Road, Omagh, Co Tyrone, BT78 1LD
Telephone: 028 8224 3567 Fax: 028 8224 0656 E Mail: info@cbs.omagh.ni.sch.uk