Govt goes online over Europe

The Government was today going online in an effort to make people better informed about the meaning of Europe.

A plenary session of Dublin’s National Forum on Europe was being webcast live in an official bid to reach the largest possible audience.

The audio stream of the on-going Irish debate about its place in the European Union was available on www.forumeurope.ie.

The forum was established by the Government to improve all-round knowledge about the community and the way it is run in the wake of this year’s shock referendum rejection of the Treaty of Nice, which allowed for the expansion of the EU through the admission of new applicant states.

The proceedings include contributions from all sides of the European argument, with the long-term aim of swinging the electorate in favour of fresh developments in the community.

Today’s session was focusing on the enlargement issue, with guest speakers including former trade union leader Peter Cassells, now the head of the National Centre for Partnership.