A seminar held in Dublin Castle on Saturday saw 150 people aged between 16-25 share their views on the future of Europe. Entitled Why the European Union?, the forum focused on a range of themes including the environment, security and defence, enlargement, justice and human rights.
In particular much of the debate focused around concerns over the need to protect Ireland's neutrality, as well as the country's continuing commitment to international peacekeeping under direction of the UN.
Consensus was forthcoming on the proposal that whether or not the proposed European constitution is adopted by member states, the Charter of Fundamental Rights contained within should nonetheless be adopted. Such a charter is designed to act as a safeguard to the rights of the individual within the union.
Describing the views expressed as "forthright and articulate", the conference's chairman, Senator Maurice Hayes said the event "was a particular success", adding that organisers had been overwhelmed by the response and had been "completely booked out". Referring to the rejection of the European Constitution by the French and Dutch electorate, he said "recent events have brought home that our political leaders cannot go it alone; listening to the citizen is at the heart of the matter".
Following the debates a panel of three nominees were elected, who in effect have been mandated to bring forward submissions arising from the forum to the national Public Submissions Day, which will report to the Government.
The Government is scheduled to reflect some of these views at the European summit in June next year.