Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together.

Work is under way in my Department on proposals for the establishment of proposals for the establishment of a new Citizens' Assembly to consider gender equality. I am also proposing a Citizens' Assembly on a directly elected mayor for Dublin and the form that this should take.

The function of a Citizens' Assembly is to inform the public and increase overall awareness and comprehension of topics being examined. Consideration is being given to the parameters of these topics and how best to optimise the use of an assembly's time and the taxpayers' money. I expect these proposals to come before the Government shortly.

As with the Convention on the Constitution and the previous Citizens' Assembly, I expect the establishment of the assembly will be the subject of a resolution of each House of the Oireachtas and that the assembly will also report to both Houses.

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