Minister Donohoe concludes whistlestop tour of universities and Blue Star schools

Speaking following his tour this week of some of our universities and primary schools engaged in the Blue Star Programme, Minister for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe TD, said the level of engagement from students was both inspiring and encouraging for the future.

This week Minister Donohoe visited DIT Aungier Street, DCU, University of Limerick and NUI Maynooth. St. Brigid’s primary school in the Coombe and Castleknock Educate Together National School, both of which are engaged in the Blue Star programme with European Movement Ireland, also welcomed the Minister.

“As part of a the EU Jobs campaign, which is being led by the Department of An Taoiseach, I spent most of the week in our universities encouraging students to consider careers in the EU Institutions; the Parliament, the Commission and the Council.

“Ireland is currently very well represented in European institutions but that may not remain the case unless we actively encourage our graduates to look to the EU for future opportunities.

” We have done well filling important jobs. When consideration is given to the fact that two of the last five Secretaries General of the Commission have been Irish, and that the first, and next, EU Ambassador to the US is Irish, our ability to compete for the top jobs becomes apparent.

“By travelling to our universities to outline the supports available to students as they make their way through the application process, we can help guide them towards fulfilling and rewarding careers that they may not have otherwise considered. If they are successful, we will also be helping to ensure that Ireland’s voice is retained at EU level and that the institutions, in return, benefit from the diversity of the nations it represents.

“This week I also paid a visit to two Blue Star schools, engaged in fostering a better understanding of the European Union among its students.

“The range of questions the children I met, some of whom were as young as eight, asked about complex issues such as Ukraine, Scottish independence and what it means to be a member of the EU demonstrated the breadth of knowledge among our young people and the advantages that such an initiative can bring.”