Ireland’s experiments in deliberative democracy
David Farrell (University College Dublin)
Ireland stands out as something of a beacon internationally as the first country to have made repeated use of Deliberative Mini-Publics (DMPs; a third one was launched in February 2020) and also the first case of DMPs that have produced significant policy outcomes. The headline policy outcomes (to date) have included successful referendums to change the Irish Constitution to introduce marriage equality, and abortion, and to remove a clause on blasphemy; there has also been extensive parliamentary reform. This presentation will examine the origins of this initiative, in the heat of Ireland’s worst ever economic crisis. It will then outline the three cases, dealing with their agendas, how they operated (strengths and weaknesses), and how the government dealt with their recommendations. The presentation will end with some speculations about the issue of ‘institutionalising’ DMPs, and how the Irish case fits with international trends.