Aidan McGrath

Aidan McGrath is an Irish youth activist. He is the former President of Ireland's National Youth Organisation.[1] He was twice elected to represent his Constituency of Fingal in Ireland's National Youth Parliament, Dáil na nÓg, and was chairperson of both the Swords Youth Council and the Fingal Comhairle na nÓg.[2] McGrath is a member of both Fingal County Council's General Strategic Policy Committee and the Planning Strategic Policy Committee.[3] In 2010 he was named one of the top Youth Leaders in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland by the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals and the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland.[4] McGrath continues to maintain a public profile in the area of political activism, and in 2012 he was named one of the top ten outstanding young people of Ireland by Junior Chamber International.[5]

Education and childhood

McGrath was born in Dublin and educated in Fingal Community College, Swords.

Public appearances

McGrath appeared on Today FM's the Last Word to discuss issues that concerned young people, in particular, the reintroduction of Third Level College Fees. He also appeared on Ireland's National Broadcaster RTÉ (Radío Telifís Éireann) to discuss issues that concerned young people in his capacity as President of the National Youth Organisation. He has appeared on other national radio stations such as FM104 and PhantomFm, again highlighting the views and opinions of young people, in particular, students.[6]

Activism

McGrath, on behalf of the Northern Ireland Assembly contributed advice to a forum held in Stormont, Belfast, which examined the setting up of a Youth Parliament for Northern Ireland's young people. He publicly addressed Northern Irish youth representatives from various communities and provided guidance on the issue.[7]

He was active in his own community as Chairperson of the Swords Youth Council and worked alongside Local Councillors, Clare Daly, Tom Kelleher, Anne Devitt and Darragh Butler in an effort to secure funding or a facility for a Youth Café for the young people of Swords. Their efforts received local media attention and support from the Community.[8] He was later appointed to Fingal County Council's General Strategic Policy Committee.[9]

McGrath, as part of the steering committee of Ireland's National Youth Parliament, met with Mary Harney, TD and former Minister for Health in an effort to have the cervical cancer vaccine made available free of charge for all 12–18-year-old girls. On Saturday, 16 January, Mary Harney announced that the plan would be implemented.[10]

Awards

In March 2010, McGrath was announced one of the Top Youth Leaders in the Republic of Ireland by the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals and Pramerica Systems Ireland. He was nominated for the award for developing links between local government and young people, ensuring young people were involved in the decision-making process.[11]

In May 2012 he was nominated by JCI Fingal President Joanna Michalski to be named one of the top ten outstanding young people of Ireland. He was youngest nominee of 2012, and attended a ceremony in Cloonacauneen Castle, Galway to accept the award.[12]

References
  1. "Third level fees debate 'a distraction'" The Irish Times Accessed 21 April 2011
  2. "Press Release FCNN Ard Fheis 18th April 2009" (Press release). Fcnn.ie. 18 April 2009. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
  3. Fingal County Council (24 November 2011). "Local Government Committee Appointees". fingalcoco.ie. Archived from the original on 28 May 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  4. "Another Outstanding Achievement By Swords Student". Northcountyleader.ie. 8 March 2010. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
  5. "Announcing the most Outstanding young people of Ireland 2012". jci-ireland.org. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
  6. "National Youth Organisation protest". SpunOut.ie. Archived from the original on 2 November 2009. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
  7. "Stormont Forum". dailnanog.ie. Archived from the original on 14 August 2011.
  8. Fingal Sport (3 December 2008). "Student council make moves to establish youth cafe in town". Fingal-Independent.ie. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
  9. Fingal County Council (24 November 2011). "Local Government Committee Appointees". fingalcoco.ie. Archived from the original on 28 May 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  10. "Young Councillors welcome cervical cancer vaccine". Archived from the original on 4 November 2011.
  11. "Another Outstanding Achievement By Swords Student". Northcountyleader.ie. 8 March 2010. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
  12. "Announcing the most Outstanding young people of Ireland 2012". jci-ireland.org. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
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