First dates for Taoiseach's citizenship body released

By TOAC from Department of the Taoiseach

Published on 31 Aug 2006

TAOISEACH TO LAUNCH FIRST PUBLIC MEETING OF TASKFORCE ON ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP Taskforce on citizenship logo

DATE: THURSDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER 2006
TIME: 10 A.M TO 1 P.M.
VENUE: HOGAN STAND, CROKE PARK, DUBLIN

The Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern T.D., is to launch the first public consultation meeting of the Taskforce on Active Citizenship in Croke Park, Dublin on Thursday 14 September 2006 at 10a.m. The meeting will be chaired by broadcaster Miriam O'Callaghan of RTE Television's Prime Time programme. Further public meetings will be held in Monaghan, Sligo, Galway, Cork and Tullamore in September and early October 2006 (see venues and dates below).

The Taskforce, established by Mr Ahern earlier this year, is due to make recommendations to the government early in 2007. It has invited individuals, community groups and organisations to have their say on what it means to be an active citizen in today's Ireland. To get the widest spectrum of views, the Taskforce is also seeking written submissions. It has distributed a public consultation document through public bodies,
business and community networks. The document is also available to download from the website www.activecitizen.ie

The deadline for receipt of written submissions is 29 September 2006.

As well as getting feedback from those already involved in, and engaging with, their communities, the Taskforce is interested in hearing from people who would like to get involved but who feel that there are factors preventing them from doing so.

In urging people to attend its public meetings, the Chairperson of the Taskforce on Active Citizenship, Ms Mary Davis, CEO of Special Olympics Ireland, said that she was keenly aware that in today's society the most difficult thing for people to give is their time. "Pressures of time, changing values and modern lifestyles have contributed to a sense that is it harder to be an active citizen in Ireland today", she said. "The Taoiseach has asked the Taskforce to consider the issues that help and hinder people's participation in society, locally and nationally."

The dates and venues of the meetings are as follows:

14 September 2006 Dublin, Croke Park, 10 am
19 September 2006 Monaghan, Four Seasons Hotel, 7 pm
20 September 2006 Sligo, Sligo Park Hotel, 7pm
26 September 2006 Galway, Radisson SAS Hotel, 7 pm
28 September 2006 Cork, Kingsley Hotel, 7 pm
2 October 2006 Tullamore, Tullamore Court Hotel, 7 pm

Those interested in attending may reserve a place by emailing info@activecitizen.ie or telephoning 00353 1619 4520.

The membership of the Taskforce was announced by the Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern T.D., earlier this year and comprises the following members:

Ms. Mary Davis, Chief Executive, Special Olympics Ireland (Chairperson)
Mr. David Begg, General Secretary, Irish Congress of Trade Unions
Mr. John Bennett, Disability Officer, University College, Dublin
Fr. Harry Bohan, Diocese of Killaloe and Céifin Centre for Values-led Change
Ms. Elaine Bradshaw, Chair, Keep Kilkenny Beautiful Committee
Ms. Caroline Casey, Chief Executive, The Aisling Foundation
Ms. Mary Cunningham, Director, National Youth Council of Ireland
Mr. Arthur Duignan, Assistant Director, CREATE
Cllr. John Gallahue, Governing Body, Limerick Institute of Technology
Mr. Gerry Kearney, Secretary General, Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
Mr. Sean Kelly, Outgoing President, GAA
Ms. Maighréad Uí Mháirtín, Cathaoirleach, Foras na Gaeilge
Mr. Seamus McAleavey, Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action
Mr. Dermot McCarthy, Secretary General, Department of the Taoiseach
Sr. Bernadette McMahon, Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice
Ms. Sylvia Meehan, Irish Senior Citizens Parliament
Mr. Bobby Molloy, former TD and Minister
The Venerable David Pierpoint, Archdeacon of Dublin
Dr. Mary Redmond, Arthur Cox and Co-founder, The Wheel
Mr. John Trethowan, Business in the Community Ireland