As the electorate prepared to vote in a general election at the end of 2024, the voices of young first-time voters were a clarion call for our aspiring politicians.
Meet the secondary school students using their vote for the first time. Get a glimpse of the issues that matter for this generation, how they view our political system and why their opinions matter.
Election '24 has been co-funded by Oireachtas TV and Coimisiún Na Meán’s Sound & Vision fund.
Sophie's life is currently "eat, sleep, study, repeat"
Sophie
This is a big week for Sophie Abbas, who attends Adamstown Community College. Sophie, from Clondalkin in Dublin, is turning 18 and feels strongly about exercising her right to vote.
She will do it for the first time in the November general election.
The family farm provides a release from exam preparation for Seán
Seán
Seán McCooey lives on the family farm in Monaghan and enjoys working outside to break from his studies for the leaving certificate exams.
Having discovered the politics and society class at his school, he feels it is vital for young people to make their voices heard.
Workshopping democracy
Democracy works both ways and the Houses of the Oireachtas education team looks to bring learning to life for students and visitors to Ireland's Parliament.
As the Thirty-third Dáil came to an end, students from Carrick-on-Shannon Community School, Adamstown Community College, Our Lady's Secondary School in Castleblayney and Malahide Community School visited the Houses to participate in a workshop on democracy.
Bringing learning to life in Leinster House
The voice of young voters
In the Houses of the Oireachtas, Conor Reale and his education team look to increase awareness of politics, an understanding of our democracy and Parliament and how our TDs and Senators go about their work.
The process works both ways, though, and these students are excited to have the opportunity to vote and have their voice heard in a tangible way for the first time in a general election.
They have strong views on the role of politicians, the important traits required in our politicians, pressing matters and their hopes for the future.
Making your voice heard
In the lead-up to polling day, Seán and his classmates make the case to their fellow students about why it is important for people to use their vote and make their voice heard in choosing the next group of TDs.
Election day | Sophie
Sophie feels strongly about exercising her right to vote and compares the choices we have in Ireland to other countries that are not afforded the same rights at the ballot box.
After voting Sophie feels even more strongly about running for election at some point.
Election day | Seán
In the days leading up to the general election Seán has considered important matters such as the environment in deciding how to vote.
He hopes that everyone will get out to vote in this election and wonders if the country will wake up following election day to a "new" Ireland.
Election '24 | Documentary
Get to know Sophie, Seán and other secondary school students of politics and society as they prepare to vote for the first time in a general election.
Follow their journey as they visit the seat of Ireland's Parliament and engage in debate on the importance of politics and democracy. Share in their story as they exercise their inviolable right to cast a ballot and be participate in Ireland's democracy.