Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

There were two questions. The membership of the task force on active citizenship includes people from a range of diverse backgrounds. It was not feasible to be totally comprehensive in terms of representation from the different sectors. I stated that here in the House. There are literally hundreds of people who represent all kinds of groups who want to be on it. I am sure they would all be useful, but it just was not possible to include them all.

Many of the groups with members on the task force, including trade unions, the church, businesses and youth organisations, would themselves have many members from ethnic minorities. They pointed that out and were well able to convey their viewpoints. From the outset, the chairperson of the task force made it clear it would undertake an extensive consultation process which provided opportunities for contributions from all possible stakeholders. That process included a round table discussion with ethnic minorities groups, facilitated through the broad umbrella of the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism. That has worked well, so it is being well represented.

Representatives from ethnic minorities also participated at the consultation seminars with the task force. This participation ensured the perspective of ethnic minorities is fully reflected in the deliberations of the task force. The whole question of integration is well covered.

Clearly there are people caught up in the pressures of life, including traffic moving to and from work. Perhaps a proportion of those would help if they had that time at their disposal. As public services and public transport improve, I hope it will have an effect. I have not noticed to date any significant change in the areas that do not have difficulties. What tends to happen in active citizenship is that people who are busy, attracted to doing their bit for their community, such as for organisations like Active Age, will do it. It is not affected by what happens in their working day. It seems busy people will make the time no matter how they operate.

If a person is not in traffic or commuting long distances, that person will have more time. The logic is that there should then be more time to be engaged in other pursuits. That is a valid and fair point. People are starting and finishing earlier. It is quieter earlier in the evenings. The cycle of life has changed massively from what it was a decade or even five years ago. Facilitating people getting from A to B and back in the evenings allows people to give some of their spare time. So many people are on the roads because they are actively engaged in the economy and in educational service. There is a noticeable difference when the schools are on holidays. One of the reasons is there are 1.3 million people involved in the education system.

There is no doubt about the good work undertaken by the many organisations which raise so much money for so many different charities. This is active citizenship and it is a good thing in itself. The State spends significant amounts on capital expenditure items. It is not a bad thing that in some areas these issues are raised through the good work done by groups because it will never be the case that the State will be able to afford to fund every single facility. People always strive for a higher standard and better equipment and it will not always be possible for the State to provide this everywhere. People will always put in the effort to do it themselves. I do not think such active engagement will ever cease and it can be regarded as active citizenship in its own right.

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