Government Minister puts down roots in Carlow school

Climate action and how students from Laois, Carlow and Kildare are and can pay their part was on the agenda when a Government Minister stopped by Knockbeg College recently.

Knockbeg College said its Green-Schools Committee were delighted when Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform and TD for Carlow/Kilkenny, Malcolm Noonan accepted an invitation to visit the college and deliver a whole school talk to students, staff and the wider school community on Monday, February 20.

Third year students and green-schools Eastern/Midlands Water Ambassadors, Kevin McKeon and Finn Craig were on hand to welcome Minister Noonan and introduce him to the school community.

The school said that during his speech, Minister Noonan, who attended the UN Biodiversity Conference COP15 in Montreal last December, highlighted the need to address the current biodiversity and climate crises. The school added that he said is is the work that he has achieved and continues to do in these areas.

The Green Party TD also noted the importance of all stakeholders working together to achieve sustainable goals and reminded students of the importance of utilising their vote to make change. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Following his talk, which the school said was very well received, Minister Noonan was put to work planting an apple tree in Knockbeg's orchard beside the gym. This new tree will add to the original stock that will provide fruit to the students as part of a healthy eating initiative at the school near Graiguecullen and Carlow town.

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Knockbeg College’s green schools committee, on behalf of the whole school community, stated that Minister Noonan's visit played a really important role in enhancing the sustainable message and lifestyle that the college now embraces