Ms Tara Farrell:

With regard to language, we had a draft before the all-Ireland and cross-Border meetings and workshops. The Scotland meeting was the first we had. We got comments on the language we had used. We spent a lot of time talking about the culture, for example. Culture has different connotations in different parts of these islands. It has been really positive and important to have had the discussions in Scotland, Wales and England because we have to reflect what is happening in communities across the islands.

Dr. Soares was talking about responsibilities within community organisations. To go back to the national action plan on women, peace and security, it specifically references the under-representation of women in political structures as having an impact on peace building and reconciliation. Within the manifesto model, we believe we have a responsibility to support women, not just to participate in structures and in public life but to understand the structures. We think that is something that is very important right across communities, no matter what kind of groups are involved, whether youth groups or cross-community groups. If people do not understand the local, regional and national decision-making structures, it is very difficult for them even to see where they can have a voice. That is something we have also held on to very strongly as we think it is a very important element of the common charter.