Citizens' assemblies cost taxpayers over €6.8 million, new figures reveal
Darragh Mc Donagh
Citizens’ assemblies have cost the taxpayer more than €6.8 million since 2016, it has been revealed.
Five citizens’ assemblies have been established by the Houses of the Oireachtas in the past nine years, aimed at involving members of the public in the consideration of constitutional, legal or policy questions.
The first was set up in 2016 to consider five topics, including the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, fixed-term parliaments, and how the state could become a leader in tackling climate change.
This cost more than €2 million over a period of two years, according to data published by the Department of An Taoiseach this week in response to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil TD Séamus McGrath.
A second citizens’ assembly on gender equality, comprising 99 members of the public selected at random, was established in 2019 and accrued costs of over €1.5 million.
External companies are contracted to provide facilitation and note-taking services for the assemblies, while a research firm is paid to select a representative sample of the public.
Companies are also hired to provide audio-visual and streaming services, Irish language services, and media liaison services, while the taxpayer also picks up the tab for venue hire.
The Dublin Citizens’ Assembly was set up in 2022, tasked with examining and outlining proposals regarding a directly elected mayor and local government structures best suited to the capital.
It cost the Department of An Taoiseach a total of €657,134, but additional costs were covered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The same department also contributed to the costs of a fourth citizens’ assembly on biodiversity loss in 2022, which cost the Department of An Taoiseach just under €1 million.
The most recent citizens’ assembly was established in 2023 to consider legislative, policy and operational changes to reduce the impact of illicit drugs on individuals, families and communities.
This Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use cost a total of €1.6 million, according to data published by the Department of An Taoiseach. It met on six occasions and published a final report in January 2024.
