EU citizen consultation taking place in Dublin
The first ever EU wide citizen consultation - on the type of Europe people really want - is getting underway in Dublin today.
It is being hosted by the National Forum on Europe and will be officially opened by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
Ireland is in the inaugural group of countries taking part in this consultation process along with Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia and Slovenia.
Up for discussion will be the environment and economic impact of Europe's energy use, the social and economic conditions for families in Europe and role of the European Union in the management of external immigration.
Sixty randomly selected representative Irish people will take part today in what is the first ever EU wide citizen consultation on what kind of Europe its citizens really want.
The entire consultation process across all twenty seven member states will be completed by the end of March.
The findings will then be sent to EU leaders in time for their summit in June.
