Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The citizens' assemblies have helped in no small way to inform change that has come about in this country in recent years. Often times people are accused of being behind the public on a number of different issues but the citizens' assemblies have informed debate and they are an important part of democracy. It is my intention as Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works to meet the chairperson of the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss as soon as possible to reflect on the findings of that gathering and the work it did because the Department I head up has a massive impact in the land we own and the responsibilities we have. That goes back to questions that have been raised by Deputies Conway-Walsh, Colm Burke, Canney and others on the work we do.

I will refer the Deputy's question on a party or festival on to the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth. One of the enlightening ideas there has been in recent years is the advent of the summer schools, which can be thematic. Maybe the local authorities and PPNs could be supported to a greater extent and their remit and the context in which they discuss issues could be widened.

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