Tag Archives: democracy

Over the last decade, Ireland has led by example, strengthening democracy through citizens’ assemblies. This has inspired the Conference on the Future of Europe – a citizens-led series of debates, which is now coming back to Ireland for more inspiration. The Conference takes place across borders and languages, across cultures and histories, aiming to leave no one behind. This weekend, Dublin Castle will host around 200 citizens from across Europe. These citizens, from all walks of life, will discuss Europe’s future, from the perspective of a ‘stronger economy, social justice, jobs, education, culture, sport, digital transformation’. Being European, means you are part of a unique, living project that enables everyone to reach their full potential and exercise their rights. It means living in societies that aim to maintain peace and unity, while appreciating and protecting our diverse backgrounds, cultures and languages. However, we cannot take this for granted. Democracy is not static and we should be able to respond to …

CLARE County Board chairman Michael McDonagh has flatly denied that the organisation is anti-democratic, following its actions this week in seeking to quash debate on the future of senior hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald. Clubs were not consulted on the decision to back the manager, which McDonagh released to the public, via a national newspaper, on Tuesday. Although the decision regarding management has already been made, he says clubs can voice their views at the September county board meeting. McDonagh insists the original decision to extend Davy Fitzgerald’s term by three years was made at a full county board meeting in 2013 and that board officers are merely following through on that. He also claimed that the Clare players are fully supportive of this decision, despite the fact that they have won only a single championship game in two years, along with suffering relegation to Division 1 B. “As an officer board, we spoke with each other and we also spoke …