Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Tuesday, 17 October 2023
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action
Citizens Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed)
Dr. Mary Dobbs:
We would very much acknowledge the Senator's point about not rushing into it. By no means should it be done even if it were possible next week. There were many citizens' assembly recommendations relating to education and public awareness. This needs to be embedded before, and while proceeding with, any constitutional referendum so that it does not lead to the potential of more extreme viewpoints and, as I do not want to use the horrible terms that are used in relation to media, let me say misinformation.
I will reflect on that and say that the citizen's assembly's membership, even though it is meant to be representative, is in a different setting. We need to build upon that.