Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

According to information I received yesterday from the Community Workers Co-operative, CWC, the report of the working group on active citizenship is imminent and the Minister has said we will see it soon. The CWC is concerned that the recommendations of the group will be included as a last-minute amendment to the Bill. Is that going to happen? Will we see Report Stage recommendations being rushed through on foot of the recommendations of the working group?

The CWC says the working group did not carry out any consultation with the community sector, those involved in community work or community groups. The Department also bypassed the structures established by the State itself, including the community and voluntary pillar, when establishing the membership of the working group, disregarding the normal arrangement for participation, transparency and accountability. It is concerned that the recommendation of the working group will be included in a last-minute amendment to the Bill, ensuring that the recommendations will pass into law without any scrutiny by Members of the Dáil and Seanad, community groups or any groups that might be affected. This is in total contradiction to what the Minister is telling us here.