The debating chambers were not quite Leinster House and the ushers wore T-shirts instead of formal uniforms but, on Saturday, Croke Park resembled its elder namesake in all but appearance as nearly 200 participants in Dáil na nÓg, the young people's parliament, debated issues affecting young people in Ireland today.
Attended for the whole day by the Minister for Children, Mr Lenihan, who was politely asked by the young people organising the event to "dress down" for the occasion, this was the third annual Dáil na nÓg to take place.
The two themes of the day - drug and alcohol abuse, and educational disadvantage - were selected in advance by the Dáil's delegates, who ranged in age from 12 to 18.
Through discussion groups, delegates from the Republic were encouraged to express their thoughts on what policies they would like to see introduced to deal with these issues.
Frequently, these discussion groups were moveable feasts, with some participants encouraged by their group facilitators to sit in circles on the ground. A facilitator was heard to advise his young facilitatees not to worry about wasting any of the paper on the accompanying flipcharts.
"Basically, we're brainstorming. Anything that comes into your head just put it down... now cover that page with words."
Among the recommendations of the Dáil na nÓg were: the provision of more alcohol-free facilities for young people; a recognition by adults that alcohol is part of our culture - they need to change as well; a wider, more practical curriculum with a more holistic approach to education; a change to the points system, with increased continuous assessment to reduce pressure on students; and more support for students from disadvantaged areas.
Dáil na nÓg's co-chairman, Mr David Hopkins (17), from Castleknock, Co Dublin, said last year's delegates were dissatisfied with the level of political follow-up and action on their recommendations. However, Mr Lenihan assured the delegates he was committed to their views being heard and acted upon. He would be presenting the report of the Dáil to the Cabinet Committee on Children.
"The recommendations made by you today will be followed up and negotiated by you through social partnership," he said. "I congratulate the National Youth Council of Ireland on identifying social partnership as the framework for implementing your recommendations."
Some delegates, such as Ms Louise Casey (16) from Limerick, were only too aware of the difference between having young people's voices heard, on one hand, and seeing the suggestions from events such as these actually put into practice.
"Our opinions are obviously going to influence the final decision," she said. " But you also know that, at the end of the day, your voice won't be the last voice that decides it."