Engaging Citizens: The Case for Democratic Renewal in Ireland

Edited by Clodagh Harris, Engaging Citizens is the Report of the Democracy Commission.

The Democracy Commission was an independent commission formed of people from across the spectrum of Irish society, who considered the increasing disconnection from even the most basic forms of democratic participation in decision-making for large groups of people.

'We think we have come as close as is possible to getting a clear picture of the health of democracy in both parts of Ireland. We hope that our conclusions will, in the course of time, strengthen democracy on the island of Ireland and support those who make it work' David Begg.

Contributors include:

• David Begg, General Secretary of ICTU
• Professor Ivana Bacik, practising barrister and Professor of Crimiinal Law, Criminology and Penology, Trinity College Dublin
• Dr Ruth Barrington, senior civil servant
• Senator John Hanafin, Fianna Fáil
• Tony Kennedy, CEO of Co-operation Ireland
• Sr Bernadette MacMahon DC, co-ordinator of the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice
• Mark Mortell, Company Director and head of FH Communication Consultants
• Elizabeth Meehan, Director of the Institute of Governance, Public Policy and Social Research at Queen's University Belfast
• Nora Owen, former Minister for Justice and former deputy leader of Fine Gael
• Donal Toolan, disability rights activist, actor and journalist
• Caroline Wilson, Good Relations Office, Belfast City Council