Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am a member of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee and have asked the Library and Research Service to produce a paper on best practice in parliaments connecting with citizens, not just in terms of the remit of a committee such as this but also in terms of how it engages in public consultation. I will be happy to share that paper with this as well as the other committee for which it was commissioned. It is something we need to be better at. In some respects we are seen to be the leader in this area. The future of democratic institutions depends on how well parliaments can innovate, adapt and connect with citizens in all forms and formats. We fully endorse the Chairman's efforts to follow through on this issue and fight the good fight for citizens in strengthening the role of the committee.