Ivana Bacik
Ceist:150. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach the expected timelines for the citizens’ assemblies committed to in the Programme for Government. [51664/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 18 October 2022
Ceisteanna (150, 158)
Mick Barry
Ceist:158. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach the expected timeline for the citizens’ assemblies committed to in the Programme for Government. [51689/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 158 together.
The Programme for Government commits to establishing four Citizens’ Assemblies, on the topics of Biodiversity Loss, the type of directly elected mayor and local government structures best suited for Dublin, Drug Use and the Future of Education.
The Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss and the Dublin Local Government Citizens’ Assembly were formally established in February 2022, began meeting in April and are on schedule to complete their work and submit their reports by the end of this year, in line with the timelines set out by the Oireachtas.
The Government is committed to establishing the next Citizens’ Assemblies, on Drug Use and the Future of Education, at the earliest opportunity following the completion of the assemblies currently underway.
The timelines and terms of reference for the next assemblies will ultimately be a matter for the Oireachtas to agree on. It is anticipated that the Government will consider the matter early in the New Year, following which motions will be put before Dáil and Seanad Éireann for debate setting out timelines and Terms of Reference for the new assemblies.