Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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438. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on discussions with his French counterpart on democratic conventions across the EU on the future of the EU. [46206/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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439. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the mechanism on which the democratic conventions on the future of the EU will take place here; the person or the body that will be coordinating same; and if outside assistance will be required. [46207/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 439 together.

In his speech at the Sorbonne University in September President Macron of France set out his vision for the Future of Europe. Among his proposals was one in relation to the holding of democratic conventions across the EU. Specifically, he proposed that for six months in 2018, debates would be organised in all EU Member States that chose to participate, “on the same issues” identifying the priorities, concerns and ideas that “will fuel our roadmap for tomorrow’s Europe”. I have not had any discussions with my French counterpart on these proposals.

In Ireland we have considerable experience of engaging the public on matters of national importance. The Convention on the Constitution and the Citizens’ Assembly are two obvious examples. Another is the All-Island Civic Dialogue which has hosted discussions on Brexit. National debates are most productive when local conditions and local characteristics are fully taken into account.

The Government will be launching its own programme of public engagement on the Future of Europe on 15 November to determine the concerns and expectations of the Irish people, with the intention of bringing our own, unique contribution to the debate on the Future of Europe. This public engagement process will take place in a number of regional locations around Ireland and will target as broad a range of participation as possible.