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

The Senator is right. This is the last year of the Government. Three of the four citizens’ assemblies were established and have done their work. This is the final one. Looking at the experience as to how the previous citizens’ assemblies were set up, what happens is that a proposal from the relevant Department is submitted to the Department of the Taoiseach. The latter then co-ordinates the establishment of the assembly. In this case, it is a little more complex because there appear to be three different Departments involved. In the case of the drugs citizens’ assembly, the Minister of State with responsibility for public health prepared the proposal and sent it in to the Department of the Taoiseach. I will speak to the Taoiseach and the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, about this matter. The question is which Department is the lead Department and which of the three Ministers should prepare the proposal for submission to the Department of the Taoiseach in order that we do not have a shared responsibility that leads to not getting the action that is needed.

I can hear the frustration and anxiety. I know the Senator has raised this matter on a number of occasions. Clearly, she has a concern that the Government will run its course without getting around to doing the fourth of citizens' assembly. I would say because we have now run fully through the course of three citizens’ assemblies, the process is now properly understood within the Government. I will ask the relevant Ministers which should be the lead Department. Maybe the Department of the Taoiseach needs to suggest which of the three should lead. Maybe it needs to be a Government decision as to which of those Ministers takes the lead in the context of setting up the assembly. It is incredibly important.

The Senator said she wants to make sure that young people will have an input. Most young people under 18 years of age are in full-time education, and, of course, they need to have a role in the citizens’ assembly. Their experience and their views will be key. I absolutely accept that. I will follow up with the relevant Ministers. If the Senator comes back to my office on the matter, I will tell her how I get on.