Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. There is no question in my proposal to move entirely to an online system, but it should be a significant part of communicating with citizens, because that is one of the means through which they are communicating.

In a consideration of the proposal, the e-tenders website is an excellent model, and I am thinking of something along those lines. The proposal has the potential to be a real piece of reform in improving the relationship between the public and State bodies.

Public consultation is potentially one of the most effective ways to give meaning to terms such as "engaging", "listening" and "involving the public". We talk about doing these concepts; it is time we put them into practice.

Public consultation is a fair way for citizens to engage with Departments and State agencies. As such, it protects the political system from accusations that it serves particular groups or interests. Public representatives are servants of the citizen and the introduction of the mechanism I propose would enhance this role. I ask the Department to consider allowing citizens not only to obtain information via the website but also to lodge submissions online.

I thank the Minister of State for his complimentary remarks. My suggestion is made to enable the State to better engage with citizens. If we achieve this objective, it will be a job well done.

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