Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Members of this House for their passionate and constructive contributions to today's debate. I have listened very carefully to everyone's views and will convey many of the suggestions back to the Government and to the assembly secretariat, as appropriate. We have had some excellent contributions and I absolutely and fully take on board the constructive and sincere points people have made. I might address them later on in my closing statement.

Clearly, there is considerable support in Seanad Éireann for the work of citizens' assemblies more generally. It is important for citizens' assemblies that Seanad Éireann recognise and validate the contribution that the assemblies make to the deliberations of the Legislature. As I said in my opening remarks, citizens' assemblies serve to enhance the quality of Ireland's democratic system. Members of the public have an important contribution to make in addressing complex societal challenges and, as a nation, we have all benefited significantly from the work of the three previous assemblies. As the legislative branch of Government, the Oireachtas has the responsibility to contextualise, design and enact legislation to meet the evolving needs of a modern State. To do that to the best of our ability, the elected representatives of the people have always sought the views of, and listened to, their constituents and the public at large. The high-quality deliberative process that takes place within a citizens' assembly should be considered as complementary to this practice, which has always been at the heart of the democratic system in this country.

Understandably, there are differences of opinion about the best sequence of citizens' assemblies. The Government has taken a position on the matter and has decided to establish and run the assemblies on the directly-elected Dublin mayor and on biodiversity loss first, to be followed as quickly as possible by assemblies on drug use and the future of education. As I said in my opening statement, the sequencing of these assemblies does not indicate or imply a hierarchy of importance. It is a recognition that each of the four assemblies committed to in the programme for Government needs adequate time, space and resources to operate as the high-quality deliberative forums they are intended to be. As I also said in my opening remarks, it would not be feasible or sensible to attempt to run more than two assemblies in parallel. Indeed, much remains to be seen about the benefits and downsides of running two assemblies consecutively. This is the first time that it has been attempted.

To reiterate, it is the Government's clear intention that the first two assemblies be established at the earliest opportunity and that they also conclude their work at the earliest opportunity. The terms of reference for the assemblies indicate that they should have their inaugural meetings in early April and report to the Oireachtas by the end of the year at the latest, and earlier if possible. That is an ambitious timescale but one that allows for the establishment of the assemblies on drug use and the future of education at the earliest opportunity, ideally later this year.

It is important also to say that the Government's proposal to include 12 elected councillors on the Dublin citizens' assembly has been carefully calibrated. On the one hand, it is important that the Dublin citizens' assembly have input from elected councillors. On the other hand, we must ensure the right balance between members of the public and elected councillors. Informed by past experience, including from the constitutional convention, the Government is satisfied that its proposals for the Dublin citizens' assembly strikes the right balance in this regard.

I will go through some of the remarks made by Senators. In Senator Dooley's response, he supported the establishment of the assemblies. I believe I have addressed the issue Senator Boyhan raised. He is seeking the inclusion of 24 councillors in the assembly. Other Members of this House want no councillors to be members. We have tried to strike the right balance there. There will be representation of parties and Independent councillors across the four councils as a whole. It is important that, in choosing the nominees, there is cognisance of gender balance. That is something we are trying to ensure not only among the councillor members but across the spectrum of the selection process I outlined in my opening statement.

Senator Currie referenced the importance of establishing a citizens' assembly on drugs. I take on board the collective view of this House, and that of the Dáil which was expressed to me when I was there yesterday. People want to see a citizens' assembly on drugs established quickly. We take that with sincerity. We will try to conclude the two we are establishing quickly with a view to setting the other one up in the later part of this year.

To speak to the programme for Government and Government policy on drug use, I was a drug spokesperson in 2016 and 2017 and I share many of the concerns and the views that people have outlined and I know the real experiences of addiction that people face every day. I know that many people have not been supported by the State. Services have not been provided and people have been left waiting. This has happened across communities. I was a member of the negotiating team in respect of the programme for Government and that programme is very clear that we want a health-led approach to the issue of drugs. Senator Hoey mentioned care, compassion and dignity in addressing the issue of drugs. I agree with what everyone said; this issue affects every postcode, every street and everyone across the political spectrum. It is something we have to confront and address. The citizens' assembly will play an important role in that regard but it is important that, in parallel and from the perspective of drugs policy and the services we provide, we strengthen the communities we represent and ensure they get the interventions and supports they need, whether with regard to harm reduction, rehabilitation, treatment or drug debt intimidation, an issue which is really impacting many people. I share and acknowledge many of the concerns that people have raised here today. As I have said, it is the intention to establish this assembly but also to progress other key areas of drug policy. We have a duty to follow through on that. The Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and other Ministers are focused on that.Senator Garvey also mentioned the issue of establishing the citizens' assembly on drugs. I have addressed that.

Senator Ward spoke about the importance of accountability. We will be examining the structures of local government and the importance of ensuring accountability. I am sure it will form part of that conversation.

Senator Ó Donnghaile spoke about wanting to have other citizens' assemblies. Through the shared island unit, the Government is seeking to put the flesh on the bones of the Good Friday Agreement to underpin it with investment. Through the unit, we are seeing conversations across many policy areas. Tomorrow we have a shared island unit discussion on sport, for example. There have been discussions on various aspects such as climate action, sport and tourism. Building that all-island conversation across key areas is about building a shared island and establishing collaboration and a shared understanding of many issues that affect all aspects of this island.

Senator Moynihan and many other Senators are supporting Senator Ruane's amendment. I have tried to respond to it and set out my genuine regard for what people have said. There is absolute sincerity on this from the Government. We state in the programme for Government that we want to address the drugs issue using a health-led approach and not the historical approach to drug policy in Ireland. Senator Kyne addressed the issue of balanced representation through the selection process and the spectrum of 20,000 people being written to that will ensure broad representation. A lot of work has gone into that.

I acknowledge the contribution of Senator McDowell to the 2013 Constitutional Convention on the subject of constitutional economic, social and cultural rights. We have acknowledged his perspective on this and also on Senator Ruane's amendment. Senator O'Loughlin spoke to the importance of establishing the citizens' assembly on the future of education. Across the four citizens' assemblies the Government wants to establish, that is also an issue of priority. Senator Byrne spoke on her experience with the plebiscite in Limerick and her own work on her thesis. Drafting that legislation is a Government priority and I hope we will see elections following that.

Senator Hoey gave her perspective on the drugs policy issue and indicated her support for Senator Ruane. I appreciate what Senator Flynn shared in terms of the experience of many people across society. We all have to take those experiences and try to mould an appropriate policy response. The citizens' assembly on drugs, when it is established, will play a key role in resetting the national and also the policy conversation on drugs. There is good consensus across the political spectrum on the next steps and on having a health-led and much more humane approach to the issue of drugs across society. This issue impacts many people we know in our daily lives. We need to respond in a humane way.

Senator Higgins spoke on the use of citizens' assemblies to confront and engage with topics and I acknowledge the points she has made. Senator Craughwell spoke to many of the points others have raised as well. I certainly share the perspectives that many Senators brought to the House today, as would the Government. There is a matter of sequencing, and we are carrying that out. We want the citizens' assemblies established as quickly as possible. We want to ensure that for all the issues on the table, the four citizens' assemblies have a meaningful policy response from Government. That is something we are anxious to follow through on.

In conclusion, the citizens' assemblies will report directly to these Houses and the appropriate committees of the Oireachtas to consider debate and respond to the recommendations of the assemblies. I am sure that Members present will join me in wishing the members of the two assemblies every success with the work ahead. I look forward to seeing the fruits of their deliberations. Beir bua agus beannacht sa todhchaí, a chairde.