I set up the Working Group on Citizen Engagement in September 2013 under the chairmanship of Fr. Sean Healy. The role of the Group was to make recommendations on more extensive and diverse input by citizens into decision making at local government level. The Report of the Working Group was published on my Department’s website on 28 February 2014, and may be accessed using the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/Community/CommunityVoluntarySupports/
.The Working Group propose that a “Public Participation Network (PPN)”, is developed in each local authority area to enable the public to take an active formal role in relevant policy making and oversight committees of the local authority. Pilot PPN arrangements are being set up with immediate effect in four local authority areas - Laois, Tipperary, Galway County and South Dublin. The pilots will, in conjunction with other consultation processes underway, determine a practical approach to implementing the structures outlined in the report of the Working Group, having regard for the primacy of the local elected council. My Department will seek a report on progress and issues arising from implementation of the pilots by mid-May 2014. The structures are to be set up in all local authority areas following the establishment of new Councils on 1 June 2014. It will be a matter for each local authority to provide resources to support the functioning of these networks.
