Wexford student Eoin Pinaqui addresses delegates at Euroscola in the European Parliament

WEXFORD WAS represented in the European Parliament in recent days, as a St. Peter’s College student delivered an impressive address to fellow delegates at a unique event for students in schools across the 28 EU member states.

Eoin Pinaqui (17) seized a remarkable opportunity to become an MEP for a day in Strasbourg, where he presented an impressive seven-point plan on how fuel consumption patterns within the European Union can be changed for the better.

Euroscola is an initiative designed to educate school students about European integration by allowing them to experience it at first-hand.

Delegates take the floor at the European Parliament in plenary and committee sessions to debate and vote on current affairs issues, all the while practising their language skills and making friends with fellow students from all across Europe.

Mr. Pinaqui chased the unique opportunity on offer when he entered a competition in summer 2016 to be selected to take part in the initiative.

The St. Peter’s College student progressed through local and regional levels to be selected alongside 23 other young Irish representatives.

As well as attending the European Parliament, the lucky few chosen also won a place on a once-off trip which included visits to Stormont and Dublin’s Mansion House.

For about five weeks in the lead-in to the big day, Mr. Pinaqui read up on relevant topics and readied himself for his starring role.

Fortunately, the big day passed off smoothly for all.

The day closely mirrored a typical day at the European Parliament, with a strict dress code applied and delegates seated where MEPs are usually based.

Delegates also enjoyed the chance to learn about issues including migration and immigration during a video-call with an MEP.

“It was fantastic,” he said, adding “I now get to say I’ve participated in debate at the European Parliament.”

Read more in the Wexford Echo.