Cllr Paddy McDonald (SF).

Concern over influence of NGOs on Citizens’ Assemblies

The level of influence Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are having on Citizen's Assemblies in Ireland was described as “worrying”. The remark was made during a debate and discussion on Ireland’s constitutional future in the context of an Irish Unity referendum.

Several speakers at February’s monthly meeting of Cavan County Council tempered their support of the motion tabled by Sinn Féin’s Paddy McDonald with concern expressed over the sway held by various representative groups.

Aontú’s Sarah O’Reilly said she was “mindful” of how debate can be managed, and said if a Citizen's Assembly were to be convened by Uachtarán na hÉireann that it would “proceed with caution”.

Cathaoirleach John Paul Feeley agreed. He suggested that Citizen's’Assemblies were an opportunity for governments to “side step” difficult discussions.

He said he supported the proposal, whilst acknowledging that important elements of the Good Friday Agreement had still not been implemented 25 years later. It was, he described, “a damning indictment” of the political stand-off that still exists north of the Border.

A discussion on Irish unity needed more than “easy rhetoric” he continued and, in that regard, a Citizen's Assembly could be “useful” to tease out such debate.

Cllr McDonald’s motion asked that the council back the setting up of a Citizen's Assembly “to give people from all backgrounds across the island a voice” ahead of any Irish Unity referendum.

His belief was that Citizen's Assemblies are a “powerful democratic” exercise, that allowed people to engage in “debate specifics, develop positions and inform policy. They have operated effectively in many jurisdictions across the world".

Cllr McDonald noted that the debate on Irish Unity is “live and growing” in Ireland and, as such, the country “must plan” for constitutional change.

He concluded by asking that officials from the Taoiseach’s Shared Island Unit present members of Cavan County Council with an update on “activity and plans” for the future.

He also asked that a copy of the motion be forwarded to the Office of an Taoiseach and an Tánaiste. “As a show of unity from this council, I am asking for full support for this motion.”

In response, Independent Shane P O’Reilly said it was important that any debate does not go forward “under the ownership of any one party”.

“There has never been a more apt a time to have a discussion,” he added, noting that the debate had to be “responsible” and inclusive of the opinion from people from all sides.

There was support too for the motion from Brendan Fay (Ind).

In a not-so-veiled barb towards the DUP, Cllr Feeley concluded his comments hitting out at politicians in the North who “run to Westminster” to make demands, but on the other hand “want power at Stormont when it suits”.

“If people aren’t doing a job, they shouldn’t be paid for it. People north of the Border are suffering hugely because of the current situation.”

Cllr McDonald stated though that “things are improving”, and expressed his hope that the mechanisms would soon be in place to get power-sharing in the North back up and running.