"We're here to make sure the decisions we make today are followed up during the year and to work closer with politicians on policy-making, " said Mairead Ni Ealaithe (17) from Limerick. "Today, the minister [Brian Lenihan] can keep us at arm's length, but the pressure will be on once this is over."

Dail na nOg is an annual forum for young people, aged 12 to 17, to express their views to the minister of state for children and to vote on key issues. Of the 200 elected from youth councils around the country, 34 young deputies are then elected to spend the year lobbying politicians and steering committees on the changes they want made.

The key issues being discussed yesterday were facilities for young people, migration and interculturalism. "We need a safe environment where young people can hang out without fear of intimidation, " said Christopher FayRegan (18), from Killarney.

"Not enough is being done to prevent racism, " added Caroline Hickey (16) from Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown youth council.

"There are foreign students in my school and, while things are getting better, there is still an attitude that they are outsiders."