Mr. Stephen Rourke:

I might read out something that encapsulates a lot of what has been said and of what we in the PPN think. It comes from a document from the co-ordinator of the Cavan PPN, Daniel Downey. He states that since the Prodi Commission of 2001, there has been a recognition of a crisis of legitimacy in Europe due to a democratic deficit in how citizens are involved in their societies. Under the 2009 Lisbon Treaty, he continues, steps were taken to bring citizens closer to decision-making through a variety of strategies and implementations, with the Irish manifestation coming in the Local Government Reform Act 2014 and the establishment of the PPNs for community groups to empower their voice. He goes on to state it has been recognised, however, that consultation without empowered participation has led to a further erosion of citizens' willingness to engage in these processes.

Sherry Arnstein writes that participation without redistribution of power is an empty and frustrating process for the powerless. It allows the powerholder to claim all sides were considered and consulted but makes it impossible for only some of those sides to benefit. It maintains the status quo. Under the Local Government Reform Act 2014, PPNs were established to empower citizens beyond merely hearing to provide a status for citizens to partake in developing policies. It is our hope PPNs can form a 21st century form of democracy to work alongside the representative and executive elements of councils to engender a higher form of participation in democratic vibrancy.

Without climbing Arnstein's ladder, in practice, this may never come to be, and the identified crisis of legitimacy may continue as long as citizen and voter apathy continues to grow in our society, especially among our younger, newer generations.