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

I cannot tell the Minister of State how happy his answer has made me because I raised this issue in the previous Dáil with the then Minister, Deputy Brendan Howlin, who undertook to investigate my idea, but between one thing and another, I did not get back to him to find out what was happening. I would like to think I might have had some input into the proposal coming to fruition. I am delighted about that.

I am reassured by what the Minister of State said about not everybody having access to technology, yet it is a wonderful way for us to connect with people. Having consultations accessible on online platforms and linked with the single entry point portal will be very helpful. As a public representative, I like to think I am well informed on different things that are happening, but, as the Minister of State also said, perhaps the only time I realise there is a public consultation process is when I open a newspaper at the weekend.

I am delighted with the news and will be very happy to take up the Minister of State's offer to avail of an opportunity to make a further input at some point with him and the officials in the Department because this will be a very significant development to enable citizens to have their say, be heard and, importantly, aware when a public consultation process is taking place and we want to hear what they have to say. Policy and cultural changes are sometimes very difficult and it helps to consult citizens along the way to hear what they have to say, perhaps even before the commencement of a public consultation process. It is crucial that we get the process right because we can see the mistakes that were made in the past when the people were not consulted or given adequate information, for which we all paid the price. I sincerely believe this is a marvellous move for democracy.

See this speech in context