St. Columbas College, Stranorlar in Co. Donegal wins 2025 Model Council of the European Union debate

The event took place on Friday 28 March at Dublin Castle where 300 students and teachers from across Ireland gathered to take part and support their teams who passionately debated this year’s very topical subject; ‘Protecting young people online in the EU’.

The Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne T.D. gave the opening address. Ireland’s MEPs and EU Ambassadors and diplomats also attended. 

The winning team – Finghin McLaughlin, Riley Doherty, Yara Fesak and their classmates will travel to Strasbourg in October to take part in Euroscola, where they will become MEPs for a day in the European Parliament.

The Model Council of the EU debate mirrors the format of a real meeting of the Council of the European Union in Brussels. Teams of 3 students from secondary schools across Ireland play the role of Ministers from each of the 27 EU Member State.

This year, teams debated a mock EU law proposing new measures to protect young people online in the EU, including a proposal for an EU-wide ban on social media for under-16s, which provoked lively interventions and exchanges.

The winners from St. Columbas College, Stranorlar in Co. Donegal represented Estonia.

The second place is shared between two schools - Drogheda Educate Together Secondary School from Co. Meath represented Poland and Loreto Secondary School, Clonmel from Co. Tipperary represented Slovenia. 

Honourable mentions were given to the following schools: Manor House School, Raheny in Co. Dublin represented Italy, Our Lady's Secondary School, Castleblayney from Co. Monaghan represented Romania ad Bailieborough Community School in Co. Cavan represented Czechia.

The Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne T.D., said:

"The Model Council of the EU debate is a wonderful opportunity for students in Ireland to experience how the European democratic process works.  It brings to life for students what a meeting of EU Ministers is like, something which can understandably seem far removed from our daily lives, and it shows how decisions taken together by Member States can have a positive impact on citizens. Most importantly, the Model Council gives young people the opportunity to have a seat at the table and make their voices heard. I want to commend the students who participated in the debate and thank the European Commission Representation in Ireland for their organisation of it."

The Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland, Peter Power, said:

“The Model Council is the Commission’s annual flagship educational event in Ireland and brings together students from across the country to debate the major issues which will shape their future as European citizens. It encourages them to learn how the EU institutions work together to make new laws. These bright young people never fail to amaze us with their sharp minds, enthusiasm, and competitive spirit. They are our future leaders in the making”.

Member of the European Parliament for Dublin, Lynn Boylan, said: 

"It is wonderful to see young people engage in the Model Council and experience the democratic process first hand.  We are living in a period of great turmoil and upheaval, whereby international institutions are being undermined and many people feel disenfranchised.  We need to invest in our young people and encourage critical thinking as they navigate their way through the era of disinformation."

In preparation for the debate, participating students and their teachers research the national position of the EU Member State that they represent. EU Member State embassies in Ireland engage with schools to help them prepare their arguments on the topic.

This year’s Model Council of the EU debate was chaired by Martina Fitzgerald, CEO of Scale Ireland and former RTE political correspondent. 

The expert judging panel featured Noelle O’Connell, CEO of the European Movement Ireland, Helen Kearns, Head of Media, Communication and Outreach in the European Commission Representation in Ireland, and Jane McGarrigle, National Coordinator of Webwise, the Irish Internet Safety Awareness Centre.

Lynn Boylan MEP gave the closing speech and presented the Euroscola prize to the winning team.