Dáil debates

Tuesday, 6 November 2007

Ceisteanna — Questions

Task Force on Active Citizenship.

2:30 pm

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 3: To ask the Taoiseach the progress to date of the task force on active citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18793/07]

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 4: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the recent work of the task force on active citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18898/07]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 5: To ask the Taoiseach his views on the recent report of the task force on active citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20165/07]

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 5, inclusive, together.

I was pleased to launch the report of the task force on active citizenship on 28 March last. The report was prepared following extensive consultation and research carried out by the task force since its establishment in April 2006. Copies of the report have been placed in the Oireachtas Library.

I believe that the task force stimulated a very worthwhile public debate about the nature of citizenship in a fast-changing country. It has produced an excellent report which includes recommendations to Government, as well as proposals for how individuals, community and voluntary organisations, the business sector and the media can each make a contribution.

The recommendations to Government come under the following thematic areas: participation in the democratic process, the public service and citizens, community engagement and promoting a sense of community, education for citizenship and ethnic and cultural diversity and the challenge of engaging newcomers and local civic participation. The report also makes recommendations about implementation and proposes some targets by which to monitor progress.

The Government has accepted the task force's recommendations in principle and agreed to establish a non-statutory active citizenship office as proposed in its report. The office is developing an implementation plan in consultation with several Departments and other relevant stakeholders. I am pleased that Ms Mary Davis has agreed to chair a steering group to oversee the work of the office.

I take this opportunity to congratulate the task force on producing a clear and concise report within a tight timeframe. It provides a sound basis for strengthening civic participation in Ireland over the next few years.

3:00 pm

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Taoiseach will be aware that one of the major obstacles to encouraging greater voluntary and community effort, particularly in the provision of activities for young people, is the excessive premium cost of public liability insurance. Many once-thriving activities, particularly during the summer periods, outdoor and sporting activities for young people, especially out of school, have not continued due to the excessive cost. This is very demoralising for many communities and it stifles the active citizenship that we are all trying to encourage. Has the Taoiseach noted that the task force on active citizenship has examined this issue? Does he agree with the task force that continued efforts to reduce insurance costs and minimise litigation is absolutely essential?

The task force has also highlighted the work done by the national Irish community and voluntary fora in developing a group insurance scheme. This is open to membership for all community and voluntary fora throughout the country. Does the Taoiseach share my concern that there is an inadequate awareness of this initiative? Has he come across it in his role as a Deputy, quite apart from his role as Taoiseach, that local groups are simply not informed of the alternative of coming together under this umbrella group insurance scheme? Does the Taoiseach agree that a much more proactive promotional effort of the alternative means of funding public liability insurance would be a worthwhile initiative in helping to resurrect many fine community initiatives and to encourage people to overcome the difficulties public liability insurance has presented time and again? Will he act on the recommendation of the task force that the group insurance scheme open to members of all local community and voluntary fora should be widely promoted?

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I accept what Deputy Ó Caoláin said that in times past, and perhaps at present, public liability costs and premiums regarding difficulties around claims in playgrounds, halls and parish halls and boards of management not making facilities available have created a lot of problems for organisations. Given the efforts over the past four or five years, thankfully premiums are substantially down in this area. However, they still create another level of administration for people who simply want to generate community activities.

I note the recommendation in the report. The task force came across this issue in its consultations. The point was made that where a group comes together, whether a group of local authorities, schools or organisations, it makes it far less difficult to get a group insurance scheme. It is a point with which the Deputy, Members and I would agree. If it could be done in areas, regions, schools or scout halls, it could make a huge impact.

The Deputy made a good suggestion in regard to highlighting what is possible with these group schemes. On a positive note, perhaps I will ask the office which is being set up arising out of the task force to find some way to communicate this to voluntary groups. I have seen examples of premiums being dramatically reduced where groups have pulled together, whether in regard to council playgrounds or otherwise, and where there has been enforcement of some health and safety issues. I will ask the office how that information can be promoted in the community and voluntary sector.

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I welcome the Taoiseach's positive response to the questions. Again, I highlight the National Irish Community and Voluntary Forum as a means to address that need. I would welcome any initiative to promote awareness to overcome that difficulty.

My final question is on a related issue. The task force also highlighted the critical need for the system of Garda vetting of people involved in community and voluntary effort with young people to be speeded up. We are all very well aware that people, in good faith, volunteer their services to young people. The overwhelming majority are citizens of good standing with bona fide intent. There is an inordinate delay in having these clearance certificates, for the want of a better description, processed. Is the Taoiseach aware that it takes several months for this process to be completed in each case? It is a dissuasion. It can put people off and it is denying the community and voluntary sector the valued input of energetic people who have a very positive contribution to make in this area. Does the Taoiseach envisage taking any steps to have this matter addressed and the process expedited?

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I accept that there can be delays in the vetting process. Full-time public servants get priority. Applicants for positions in the Garda, the Army, the teaching sector and the public service get precedence. Even then there can be delays in the system. Community activists are not given the same level of priority. Many of the delays which are encountered can be attributed to the lack of availability of records and people changing their addresses when they move. Members will be aware of the difficulties which arise. Gardaí are reluctant to sign off on the vetting process until they have completed what they consider to be a comprehensive check. Gardaí tend to hold off if they find that people have moved or changed address. I will raise the issue.

I have seen a number of examples of full-time staff encountering delays in this regard. Such difficulties have been raised in the House in the context of other positions and posts. As gardaí are aware of modern-day problems, they feel they have to do these comprehensive searches and cross-checks. I will raise the issue. While we want to help those who are anxious to get involved in the voluntary sector, we all believe there has to be adequate protection so there are no difficulties, particularly where children are involved. Workers in this sector often deal with very young children, or people who are 15 or 16 years of age. I will raise this issue with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In March of this year, the Taoiseach accepted the report of the Taskforce on Active Citizenship, which set out a number of ambitious and realisable targets. The report set a target, to be achieved by the end of this decade, of reaching 60% turn-out among voters between the ages of 18 and 24. Less than 50% of such voters have turned out in recent elections. The report also set a target of increasing the level of voter participation, estimated by the CSO to have been 75.5% at the 2002 general election, to at least 80% in all future general elections. The report recommended that areas where turn-out is particularly low should be specifically targeted. It is laudable that attempts are being made to achieve such ambitious targets.

The turn-out in the 1997 general election was 66%. The turn-out in the 1997 presidential election was 48%. The turn-out in the 1999 European and local elections, which were held on a Friday, was 51%. The turn-out in the 2001 referendum on the Nice treaty was 35%, but that increased to 50% for the second referendum on the treaty, which was held in 2002. When the local and European elections were held on a Friday in 2004, there was a 61% turn-out. It is obvious that my party got a good response on that occasion.

If the Taoiseach thinks the target set by the task force — a turn-out of 80% in all future general elections — is achievable and realistic, does that mean all such elections should be held on a Friday, a Saturday or a Sunday? I would support such a proposal in the interests of giving as many people as possible an opportunity to cast their votes. Many young people expressed concern, anxiety and criticism when it emerged that this year's general election was to be held during exam time. They felt they would not have an opportunity to vote on the day of the election. If the Taoiseach accepts that it is possible to increase voter participation and turn-out from 75% to 80%, as outlined in the document published last March, does he agree that the target is more likely to be achieved if general elections are held on a Friday, a Saturday or a Sunday? Perhaps he will comment on that matter.

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We all agree that we should try to increase the level of voter participation. It is interesting to compare Ireland's record over the last few elections to that of other countries. Our figures are good, when compared to other countries, over the last three polls — the local elections of 2004, the referendum of the same year and the general election of 2007. A number of issues need to be considered in this regard. Like the authorities in other countries, we need to do as much as possible to improve the register of electors. The improvements in the register which were made in advance of this year's general election were quite significant and certainly helped. I have an open mind. It depends where one is, I suppose. A Saturday or Sunday election would be a disaster in a constituency like the constituency I represent. People leave the city in large numbers on Fridays, and the best of luck to them, but that is the reality. Many surveys have been carried out which show that people go here, there and everywhere — they are certainly not at their base. The opposite may be the case in rural Ireland but speaking about where I am in the heart of Dublin, it seems that they all come to Dublin at weekends. I suppose it is the world we live in.

I was in Dublin Airport the other night when people were coming back from the premiership matches and I thought I was in Heathrow Airport because of the football colours——

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That was just the congestion.

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It was only the congestion caused by the people returning from the premiership matches and the best of luck to them.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

They all voted for change.

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Whatever about suggesting 20 years ago that Friday, Saturday or Sunday should be considered, it would take a long time to convince me of that argument now. I am in favour of everything that can be done to improve participation in elections and to educate and explain the matter to people by means of civic education programmes. It is important that we do everything we can to achieve a democratic buy-in. The task force on active citizenship believes it is important to persuade people to care about the democratic system and their participation in it. The active citizenship office will work hard with the relevant Departments and agencies to follow up on these recommendations.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It would be very hard to compete with the Taoiseach if he is at Dublin Airport welcoming fans back from the premiership matches.

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I was merely wishing my daughter bon voyage, no more than that.

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Did the Taoiseach have words with Barry?

Photo of John O'DonoghueJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

They are all Manchester United supporters.

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

They got a day off on Saturday.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The finding of the report that caught my eye was that just 54% of those who responded said they feel they can influence decisions to alter their local area. The recommendation of the task force was that an effort should be made to try to increase this number to 65% by 2010, which would be a desirable achievement. I question whether the problem is not so much the willingness of people to participate as active citizens as it is the opaque systems with which they must deal. I constantly meet people who are more than willing to participate in their local community and to become involved in issues. However, having gone to an oral hearing of An Bord Pleanála about an issue where the inspector agrees with them and writes up a report to that effect, it is then overturned by the board because it is pursuing some Government policy on infrastructure. If such people want to pursue some issue at local level they go to the local authority and local councillors but they cannot do anything about it because it is down to the county manager or some other unelected personage who makes the decisions.

Is part of the trick in getting more people involved as active citizens in their local communities not a case of changing the bureaucracy they must deal with? People who are busy in their lives and who go once around the track with regard to an issue and find they are getting nowhere, are unlikely to go around it again. Are there plans in place to approach this matter from a different angle, not just from the angle of encouraging people to participate, but from the angle of changing and reforming the local government structures in particular so that when people participate they receive a response?

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are many ways in which people can be encouraged to become involved. I share the Deputy's views on An Bord Pleanála's oral hearings. The engagement of local authorities is very important but in fairness to them they have moved into regional and local offices and decentralised their staff, and that has helped. The system is far better now than it was ten or 20 years ago when everything was centralised in centrally-located offices. The more local offices the better because residents' groups and civic action groups will be more inclined to engage with people who have a feel for and are working in their own communities and the more that happens, the better. Part of the problem over the years has been that we have handed over far more of our decision making to the expert bodies and expert groups on the basis that they are in a more independent position and it is the politically correct thing to do. Every time we do that, for all its laudable reasons, we are taking away our own involvement. I have raised this many times with colleagues and I have sat around the Cabinet table arguing about that but that is what we continue to do.

The main point is that the more civics education there is in our schools and colleges and the more enticement to people to volunteer to engage in community activities the better it is for society. I agree with the Deputy that where there is undue bureaucracy it militates against people playing an active role. I agree with the point that if one goes through something and one is not being listened to one will not become actively involved. For my own part, not a day goes by when I meet some of the statutory bodies and I ask them to advertise and promote what they do and ask people to give their views. The Internet makes it easier for people to do that. While some do it, others seem to ignore the point. The more we force and encourage people to do that the better and the more interest there will be from our local people.

The figures for involvement and participation here are not bad but they could be far better. Various community development plans are contained in the agreed programme for Government for which we have provided extra resources for the next five years. Some €300 million has been spent by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs directly on community activities. Given that much funding has been provided it is a matter of trying to co-ordinate the funds into organisations. I hope the active citizenship office and the work and commissions it has done can help to drive that forward.