Sir, – The true worth of citizens’ assemblies is shown by what they have conspicuously not been convened to discuss.
For example, why hasn’t a single left-wing politician or NGO called for a citizens’ assembly on immigration, despite several years of controversy on the issue? The simple reason is that huge divisions exist on the left on this, with parties increasingly disconnected from the voters. An assembly would expose this and it would be impossible to corral debate toward a desired outcome.
Similarly, in relation to neutrality, Tánaiste Micheál Martin, a strong supporter of citizens’ assemblies, curiously decided not to convene a citizens’ assembly, because he knew that it would not deliver the desired result. Instead he proposed a “consultative forum” – a travelling talking-shop of academics – to deliver the end of the triple lock, an outcome which an assembly was unlikely to have reached. – Yours, etc,
BARRY WALSH,
Clontarf,
Dublin 3.