Cyprian Brady (Fianna Fail)

I, too, welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion, having had the privilege last year and in recent months of listening to the various groups that participated in the Seanad reform process. It is timely, at this stage of the Seanad's term, that we take some action, try to be radical and implement what we all discussed in the House in great detail.

My experience of dealing with community groups and various other lobby groups leads me to believe the community policing forum is one of the most successful models for participation by individuals, residents' groups and disability groups. It affords direct interaction with public representatives, State agencies, the Garda, Dublin City Council, the Department of Health and Children and other groups. The forum can even address simple matters such as the location of bus stops. The forum meets three times per year and those in attendance can raise issues and propose ideas. It is ideal for this purpose and is working successfully. I am delighted the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has agreed to the enhancement of the various fora throughout the city. The introduction of the policing committee is a good step in this direction.

As the Minister stated, having a forum at which the public can discuss legislation is useful. We all have been lobbied by various groups and my experience of this over recent years is that the very well-organised and resourced groups are the ones that get what they are looking for. The smaller ones, which have a lesser voice, lose out on whatever resources are available purely because they have not got the stamina, as Senator Ryan stated. It has been the case that such groups could not keep up the fight. At every turn they felt barriers were being put in their way, whereas the larger organisations had more resources and the ability to spend money, produce glossy presentations and employ people on a full-time basis to make their case. Every year the same groups make their pre-budget submissions at the expense of the smaller groups. Any proposal that would give a voice to a small group, an individual or larger group such as a residents' association would be helpful.

We deal with many community councils, which are formed on foot of a number of residents' associations coming together as an umbrella group. They find this is the best way to influence their local politicians. In my constituency there are a number of community councils. They raise various local issues and are quite successful, but this is because they are umbrella groups and have the extra strength to influence public representatives, especially at local level.

Local area committees allow local councillors to sit face to face with lobbyists and call on various lobby groups. The proposed measure is a step forward in enhancing the relationship between local public representation and national public representation. Any measure that gives a voice to those who feel they are disconnected can only be of help.

This is a timely motion and not just for the Seanad, because it is linked to a large body of policy concerning the task force on active citizenship. Last month I had the privilege of attending a task force gathering in Croke Park at which there were more than 400 people from all walks of life representing all types of groups, including groups representing the disabled, disadvantaged, men and women. The atmosphere in the room on the morning in question was amazing because everyone present was giving time freely to contribute to the task force.

One of the main reasons for the existence of the task force is to encourage people to become more actively involved in their communities. If people are to be encouraged to become involved, they first must be asked to do so, but if nobody asks them, they will not bother. Politicians all know how difficult it is to get people to vote in the first place, never mind getting them to vote in a particular way. We have run campaigns in my constituency encouraging people to register to vote and explaining the electoral process. As public representatives, it is our duty to ensure people are encouraged in this regard. We must make it easy for them to participate.

It has been suggested by the Minister that the initiative will be covered at the next meeting. I presume the Committee on Procedure and Privileges will discuss it at some stage.