Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chair for inviting representatives of Ireland's Future before the committee. I am delighted because I missed the committee's engagement with them a couple of weeks ago. I welcome Ms Harmon and Reverend Karen. I asked Mr. Murphy a question a couple of weeks ago so if it is okay, I will focus on asking questions to Reverend Karen and Ms Harmon. I would love it if both of them could answer my question. Reverend Karen mentioned the need to provide a unifying framework to build a nation of neighbours, which I think is powerful and vital to the creation of meaningful dialogue and the cultivation of positive attitudes towards political opposition. I know Reverend Karen is a champion of peace and reconciliation. Her words today were powerful. My question relates in particular to young people. We all know that young people have not experienced the trauma of the conflict. My question as to how we bring in young people is also directed at Ms Harmon. How do we bring young people into the conversation on their vision of what a new Ireland would look like? It is really important to bring young people into the conversation. I ask that question to Reverend Karen in the first instance.

I will ask Ms Harmon about a citizens' assembly. I know she did phenomenal work on the campaigns to repeal the eighth amendment and the campaign on the marriage referendum. She was involved in and championed those campaigns. She did phenomenal work. My question to her relates to young people and a citizens' assembly. How do we engage young people? I am really asking the same question of both our guests.