Minister for State Noel Grealish described the atmosphere at the Teagasc/FBD Student of the Year awards like “a night at the Oscars” as he praised the high standard of the 17 finalists.

After hearing speeches from last year’s winner Kate Curran and Macra president Josephine O’Neill, Grealish said it was a pity the nominations had already closed for the upcoming by-elections.

“We would have two excellent candidates running, never say never you could be there in the future in politics,” he said. The minister told the audience that “we do need good ladies in Dáil Éireann, that’s one thing we’re lacking”.

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