Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together.

The task force on active citizenship has held seven plenary meetings since its appointment. The last meeting took place on 30 January 2007. In addition, the task force has set up five subgroups which meet on a regular basis and have consulted with organisations in different sectors.

The task force has also engaged in a major public consultation exercise. The written phase of the consultation process ran from July to October and more than 1,000 submissions were received. As part of this process, the task force hosted regional consultation seminars around the country. I was pleased to attend the first of these on 14 September.

The aim of these regional seminars was to explain the work of the task force and hear the views and ideas of individuals and groups on active citizenship in Ireland today. Over 300 people attended the meeting in Dublin. Subsequent seminars have been held in Monaghan, Sligo, Galway, Cork and Tullamore and all have been well attended.

The task force's work programme also included specific consultation exercises to get the views of young people and a national survey has been carried out by the ESRI. The National Forum on Europe organised a plenary session on the subject of active citizenship in mid-October. The chairperson and members of the task force have also been meeting a range of interested individuals and groups around the country.

I believe that the efforts of the task force have stimulated a wide-ranging debate on the issue of active citizenship and that this, in itself, is an important outcome. An independent report on the consultation process covering both the written phase and the work of the sub-groups has now been published and widely circulated. I understand the task force intends to finalise its report very shortly. I look forward to receiving its report with its conclusions and recommendations on active citizenship in Ireland, including the many issues raised during the consultation process.

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