Good Friday Committee to discuss report: Mapping Diversity, Negotiating Differences: Constitutional Discussions on a Shared Island

The following representatives are due to appear:

• Professor Jennifer Todd - University College Dublin (UCD)
• Dr. Joanne McEvoy - University of Aberdeen

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Fergus O’Dowd said: “We welcome the opportunity to discuss this report with representatives. The Report is based on extensive research over several years which found that grassroots communities across the island invite opportunities to engage in constitutional discussion but feel alienated from the technical language often used in the debate."

“The report authors engaged in open-ended conversations with well over 120 constitutionally disengaged participants on both sides of the border including migrants, disadvantaged young people, third level educated young people, women, including border women, gender activists, all accessed through community organisations.”

“Their research found that participants wanted to discuss wider issues – what a better society would look like and how it could be achieved – before discussing institutional design for a united Ireland or the detailed process of constitutional change.”

Watch the meeting live here or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.