The Future of the Forum on Europe

10th April, 2009

The Government made the decision to close the Forum on Europe yesterday. They said that it was time to take debate back into the Oireachtas and they also pointed to the cost of the Forum.

The Forum did an excellent job. But this decision is right. Too much debate on important matters was outsourced beyond elected representatives. To see TDs and Senators take a lead in this debate, and the organising of it is the right thing on many levels. After all, this is what they are paid to do!

I find it odd that some are critical of this decision because it is anti democratic. How could elected democrats leading the debate on the future of their country be called anti democratic?