Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

I am trying to decipher the Taoiseach's reply. What does he mean by the phrase "recommendations that we can take forward"? As Deputy Rabbitte pointed out, since 2000 a number of attempts have been made to increase the level of volunteerism and active citizenship. They include the White Paper on Supporting Voluntary Activity published in 2000 and the Tipping the Balance report published in 2002 by the national committee on volunteering. Has an evaluation be done of the recommendations made in these two reports? If not, is it possible to carry out such an evaluation? Will the Taoiseach cite the recommendations from these reports which have been implemented? What has been the outcome of these efforts to date?

On a more specific matter, is the Taoiseach in a position to inform the task force on active citizenship, which includes among its membership many busy people, what the Government has done or will do to help fulfil one of the terms of reference he cited, namely, "to facilitate and encourage (i) a greater degree of engagement by citizens in all aspects of Irish life and (ii) the growth and development of voluntary organisations"? The terms of reference include facilitating and encouraging a greater degree of engagement by citizens and the growth and development of voluntary organisations. Will the Government indicate when the charities legislation will be published and implemented, given that it covers a huge proportion of voluntary activity? Registration will enable voluntary groups to demonstrate their bona fides to the public.

Will the Taoiseach tell the House when freedom of information legislation will be reviewed and the restrictions rolled back, given that it is another important aspect of active citizenship?

See this speech in context