Kilkenny school performs with distinction during EU Model Council Debate

Six teams rose above 21 other secondary schools across Ireland for their convincing portrayal of the positions taken by EU Ministers for Energy while discussing how to accelerate the EU’s Renewable Energy Transition.

Loreto Secondary School from Kilkenny was one of them, receiving an honourable mention mention for representing Belgium.

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Scoil Muire agus Pádraig from Mayo won first place for their representation of Poland during the debate. 

Honourable mentions were also given to Ardscoil Rís in Dublin as Croatia and Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk in Kerry as Czechia.

The Model Council has been organised by the European Commission Representation in Ireland every year since 2007. The 2023 event was held in City Hall in Dublin.

The debate mirrors the format of a real meeting of the Council of the European Union (also known as the Council of Ministers) so students can explore how the EU decision-making process works.

The event opened with an address by Maria Walsh, MEP representing Ireland Midlands-North-West constituency, who emphasised the significance of the 50th anniversary since Ireland joined the EEC.

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The debate itself discussed ways to increase the share of renewable energy within the EU, a challenge that has been brought into sharp focus since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

The energy sector is responsible for over 75% of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Therefore, increasing the share of renewable energy is a key building block in reaching the EU’s energy and climate objectives under the European Green Deal.