Young Fine Gael National Conference

Young Fine Gael National Conference. The National Conference went down well this year. The main aim of the annual conference is to elect members of the National Executive ( which decide govern YFG) and to change the Policy and constitution of Young Fine Gael.

The first item on the agenda was a debate entitled "The Family at War is now at peace". This was obviously a reference to the television program documenting the lst twenty years of Fine Gael.

Both sides made some good points. The opposition argued that FG would never be at peace as a debate is always a healthy thing and leads us forward. The proposition refuted by saying that the debate does not constitute war. Comments then later came from the floor, including yours truly, saying that the entire motion was a bad selection as it only encourages us to analyse our divisions rather than look forward.

The next day saw the passing of motions by the conference. When a motion is passed this means that it automatically becomes policy. Of the motions some of the more interesting ones that got passed were

10. This conference believes that August 22nd should be declared a National Holiday. (The date that Michael Collins was shot)

9. That YFG supports a system of rewarding prominent Irish people who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields

7. In an effort to address in a constructive manner the issue of suicide among young people and family and social issues affecting young people today, this national conference believes that all secondary schools should have a counsellor available to students two days a week. (Wexford Branch)

2. That this conference calls on the Government to reverse the absolute prohibition of under 18s on licensed premises after 9pm, to restore late drinking hours on Thursdays and to transform the efficiency of the National I.D. card scheme. (St Patrick's College, Drumcondra Branch)

On the Sunday morning another motion was passed declaring that Young Fine Gael is against the ban on Coca Cola, on the grounds that there is no factual evidence for the allegations and that it will cost Irish jobs.

Also that day the results were announced for the elections. William Lavelle of UCD is now our president with Sinead Carey from Limerick as Vice-President.

- Matthew Bruton, 3rds arts, Young Fine Gael.