Called "Democracy in the City" and launched on Wednesday, the project has been described by its creators as a "democracy marketplace," where opinions, proposals and ideas can be expressed in full view of the public and politicians. The new e-government project was equated with ancient Athens, where citizens and leaders gathered together to discuss political issues in a forum open to all voters. Ryan Meade, project consultant with the Dublin City Development Board, told ElectricNews.Net that Democracy in the City, at its core, was designed to serve as a focal point where issues that relate to the capital and the nation could be considered by voters and leaders.
Apart from discussion forums, the site will allow users to contact local, national and EU politicians, who in turn can lead on-line dialogue with the electorate. The project's creators -- the Department of the Environment and Local Government and Dublin City Council -- also said that users can become virtual members of the Dublin Civic Forum, allowing them to organise virtual petitions and making judgments on political issues through a so-called "citizens jury."
In this vein, Fine Gael spokesperson for the capital, Senator Brian Hayes, has already launched a discussion about the Luas and is hosting a debate on the feasibility of congestion charges on traffic. Former Lord Mayor Michael Mulchay, TD, meanwhile, has opened a forum and poll on limiting the growth of Dublin. Martin Harte of TASCQ (businesses in Temple Bar) has opened another discussion about the responsibility of businesses for their local area.
Another innovative feature on the site allows users to check if they are on the electoral register. This is the first time that the electoral register can be searched on-line, the organisers said. Meade added that before next summer's local and EU elections draw near, space would be made available on the site for candidates to publish information about themselves and their positions.
To participate, Meade told ElectricNews.Net that users would be required to register and give some basic information. He also said that although all postings can be made without worry of censorship, improper remarks that are, for example, racist or inciteful of violence, will be removed.
"We live in challenging times and those times challenge the very basis of the democratic institutions that have been fought for and won over the last century," commented Minister for the Information Society, Mary Hanafin, TD, who launched the project. "It is particularly important to remember as Ireland dons the mantle of the European Presidency that those nations that will join the EU next May are all nations that know the value of democracy, having only recently thrown off one-party rule."
Quelle: Electric News Net, 19.11.2003
