Ballymoney students compete at schools debate

Students from Dalriada School Ballymoney went head to head with RBAI at the quarter final stage of the Northern Ireland Schools Debating Competition as they argued the motion â¬ÜThis House believes that the well-being of society would be improved by greater use of public transport.â¬"

This stage of the competition is being supported by Translink through its Lifeâ¬"s Better campaign which is seeking to foster discussion and debate around the attributes of passenger transport. Eight schools from across Northern Ireland are participating in this stage, with the finals taking place in April.

Pictured (L-R) at the NI Schools Debating Competition quarter finals are Lilli Meldrum, Dalriada School, Susan Oâ¬"Neill, Translink Safety Bus Coordinator, Shane Quinn, Belfast Buildingâ¬"sTrust and Mark Scott, Dalriada School.

For further information visit www.translink.co.uk/lifesbetter or join the conversation online #translinklifesbetter — Students from Dalriada School Ballymoney went head to head with RBAI at the quarter final stage of the Northern Ireland Schools Debating Competition as they argued the motion â¬ÜThis House believes that the well-being of society would be improved by greater use of public transport.â¬" This stage of the competition is being supported by Translink through its Lifeâ¬"s Better campaign which is seeking to foster discussion and debate around the attributes of passenger transport. Eight schools from across Northern Ireland are participating in this stage, with the finals taking place in April. Pictured (L-R) at the NI Schools Debating Competition quarter finals are Lilli Meldrum, Dalriada School, Susan Oâ¬"Neill, Translink Safety Bus Coordinator, Shane Quinn, Belfast Buildingâ¬"sTrust and Mark Scott, Dalriada School. For further information visit www.translink.co.uk/lifesbetter or join the conversation online #translinklifesbetter

Translink who is supporting this initiative through its Life’s Better campaign is seeking to engage with the students and foster discussion and debate around the attributes of passenger transport.

Phillip Woods, Translink Service Delivery Manager commented: “We are delighted to be sponsoring this debate and are encouraged to see that so many students are passionate about passenger transport and the benefits it can offer in terms of sustainability, cost savings and time.

“By actively engaging with 16-18 year olds, we are encouraging young people to rethink their travel decisions and embrace the many benefits it has to offer, especially as they progress through their education and into the world or work. We would like to wish each team the very best in the competition as they debate the motion.”

Shane Quinn from Belfast Buildings Trust, organisers of this competition continued: “The Northern Ireland Schools Debating Competition was founded in 1993. Over the intervening 21 years, the Competition has encouraged active civic participation and mature debate on some of the major issues facing Northern Ireland. Encouraging young people to develop their citizenship skills is important for a confident and prosperous society.

“I would like to thank Translink for supporting the quarter finals of this competition and I am looking forward to seeing the schools go head to head in what is sure to be a lively and engaging debate.”

Previous winners from Dalriada School were defeated by opponents from Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI) in an animated and close debate.

The following schools competed at the quarter finals: St. Colman’s College in Newry vs Royal School Armagh, Campbell College in Belfast vs Cross & Passion College in Ballycastle and Dalriada School in Ballymoney vs Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI).

The final stage of the competition will take place in April in the Senate Chamber of Parliament Buildings at Stormont.