Ógra Fianna Fáil Summer School - Belfast 2010

L-R Tim OConnor and Minister Noel Dempsey
© Joe ÓNéill

L-R Seán Gallagher, Joe ONeill, Leas Cathaoirleach Ógra Fianna Fáil, and Gerry McHugh MLA
© Joe ÓNéill

With the official opening of their first constituency office in the six counties last month, in Crossmaglen Co. Armagh, by Taoiseach Brian Cowen, Fianna Fáil continue to market the Fianna Fáil party brand with the visit to Belfast this weekend by Minister of Transport Noel Dempsey, and Thomas Byrne, TD.

The Minister and TD Byrne were guest speakers at the Ógra Fianna Fáil Summer School, held in Queen's University Belfast. Over 100 activists from the party youth wing from all 32 counties attended the School.

Minister Dempsey, TD Byrne, and Dr. Elaine Byrne, Irish Times columnist and adjutant lecturer on Irish politics in Trinity College Dublin, addressed the first session of the School which was on the subject of, ''Reform of the Irish Political System''.

Speakers at the first afternoon session on ''The Economy'', were Dragon's Den star and Business Entrepreneur, Seán Gallagher, and Tim OConnor, Ex Secretary General of the Irish Civil Service.

The final session of the School was a lively debate on, ''Republicanism in the 21st Century'', with Chairman of the Armagh Fianna Fáil forum, Martin McAllister, and Alex Kane, Former Director of Communications with the UUP and a Unionist/Republican.

On the Friday sign-in for the event, Ógra members gathered at Queen's for a social evening, which members of the youth wings of the Democratic Unionist Party, and Ulster Unionist Party attended.