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Public Consultation Process

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 June 2018

Tuesday, 19 June 2018

Ceisteanna (116)

Shane Cassells

Ceist:

116. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of public consultations held by his Department or by a State agency under the remit of his Department; the number of replies received per consultation; and the cost of each consultation in each of the years from 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [26462/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In accordance with “Reaching Out - Guidelines on Consultation for Public Sector Bodies”, and its 2016 successor, “Consultation Principles and Guidance”, my Department undertakes consultation, where appropriate, with citizens in a meaningful and timely manner. The ultimate objective is to ensure better outcomes and understanding by all of a particular policy or legislative proposal.

In the table I have provided information on public consultations engaged in by my Department from 2015 to date. It was not possible in the time available to provide the required detail from 2011.

On 24 June 2014, the Government decided to develop a National Plan for the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The coordinating role for developing the Plan was assigned to my Department which adopted an inclusive and open approach to developing the Plan, working closely with Government Departments, State Agencies, business enterprises and civil society. My Department’s annual Civil Society Forum in that year was dedicated to the theme of “Business and Human Rights - Implementing the UN Guiding Principles”. This event was attended by approximately 250 civil society actors.

In February 2015, my Department initiated a public consultation which received over 30 submissions and hosted a workshop with business and civil society representatives to discuss priorities for the Plan. In January 2016, a consultation event was held in Iveagh House on the Working Outline of Ireland’s National Plan on Business and Human Rights. Following an invitation for submissions based on the Working Outline, responses were received from civil society and the business community. The National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights was launched in November 2017.

In 2015 in accordance with the Official Languages Act 2003 my Department drafted a language scheme. The scheme was drafted to comply with our obligations under the Act and to ensure better availability and a higher standard of public services through Irish. The Department invited submissions in relation to the preparation of the scheme from any interested parties.

To date in 2018 my Department has organised a series of Citizens’ Dialogues, engagement with key stakeholders and other events across the country focused on the Future of Europe. The public was invited to contribute to the wider European debate by attending one of these events or making a submission online.

Regional events were held in counties Galway, Kildare, Cork, Donegal, Meath as well as an NGO forum in Dublin. This culminated in the National Citizens’ Dialogue on the Future of Europe at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin on Europe Day, 9th May last. This event was attended by An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD, Minister of State for European Affairs, Helen McEntee T.D. and myself, along with 250 members of the public and civil society representatives.

There are no State agencies under the aegis of my Department.

The table provides the detail you have requested on each of the public consultations outlined above:

Subject matter of public consultations

Cost-€

Number of replies received per consultation

February 2015 - Chambers Ireland and DFAT Workshop on Business and Human Rights

0

31

June 2015 - Language scheme in compliance with the  Official Languages Act 2003

1,628

1

January 2016 - Business and Human Rights Consultation event (Submissions invited on Working Outline of the Plan)

664

19

January –May 2018 seven Future of Europe Consultation events

99,100

1,345 attendees, respondents and those who participated through “live-streaming” of events

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