Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I understand the Senator’s frustration. The Government has set up and run three citizens’ assemblies, so the process is understood and not forgotten. I was involved in getting the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use up and running, so I understand that it involves the relevant Department putting together proposals and sending them to the Department of the Taoiseach. Preparatory work has to be done by both Departments before a Government decision is made. Once that decision is made, it needs to be brought to the Oireachtas, so the Oireachtas is not the first step in the process at all.

In the case of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use, the Department of Health put together its proposals and sent them to the Department of the Taoiseach. That makes sense, as the Senator can agree. At first, the idea was for the Department of the Taoiseach to run the assembly, but it explained to the Department of Health that the latter would need to make proposals. That is the process.

I will discuss this matter directly with the Minister, Deputy Foley, when I see her next. We are working together on the schools solar panel project, which will provide free solar panels to every school in Ireland. It will be a wonderful and successful project. The next time I speak to her about it, which I am sure will be shortly, I will ask her how we can progress the citizens’ assembly on the future of education.