Forum calls on citizens to help reinvigorate nation

A NATIONAL gathering of concerned citizens is to be held in the summer with a view to re-invigorating Ireland’s democratic institutions and restoring trust in public life.

We the Citizens, an independent national forum aimed at showing the benefits of public engagement with national decision making, was launched yesterday in Dublin.

Its chairman, Fiach Mac Conghail, director of the Abbey Theatre, told the launch that a national citizens’ assembly would be held in June to consider proposals on making the political institutions of the state better suited to serving citizens. The agenda of the assembly will be decided by seven citizen-led events around the country and by a nationwide poll.