Fianna Fáil brings political youth event to Athlone this weekend

The Hodson Bay Hotel in Athlone will host the Ógra Fianna Fáil National Youth Conference this weekend.

The two-day event will get underway tomorrow and will continue on Saturday.

More than 500 delegates, members and supporters will gather to discuss the theme Change in Action.

The event will enable young people from the four corners of Ireland to discuss the issues that are affecting them and their peers and to listen to expert opinion on housing, education, health and many other hot topics.

The decision to host it at the Hodson Bay came last year following a vote at the Ard Fheis in Dublin, where Roscommon Ógra members won the backing of members ahead of two other bids from Connacht units.

The guest of honour will be Uachtarán Fhianna Fáil, Micheál Martin TD, who will be joined by a number of Front Bench Spokespeople and members of the Parliamentary Party.

Outgoing Uachtarán Ógra, James Doyle said: “We are thrilled that Ireland’s first female Government Minister since Constance Markievicz, former EU Commissioner and all-round trail blazer, Máire Geogheann Quinn will lead a discussion on the 100
th anniversary of women’s’ suffrage. 

“I am confident that many future parliamentarians will experience their first taste of national politics this weekend in Athlone,” added Mr Doyle.