The EU consults with its citizens

This exclusive webcast is available Saturday, March 21 from 9.30am-5.15pm and Sunday from 9.30am-6.00pm

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Fifty people, scientifically selected to reflect a cross-section of Irish society, will gather in Dublin this weekend to answer this question: 'What do you think the EU can - and should - do to shape our economic and social future in a globalised world?'

They will be taking part in the Europe-wide Citizens Consultation. The Irish event, which is being organised by the National Forum On Europe, will be in Dublin Castle with similar consultations happening in each of the 27 EU countries.

The event will be opened by Minister of State for European Affairs Dick Roche Saturday at 9.15am, fresh from the European Council summit in Brussels (click here for coverage of that summit).

With the help of facilitators, experts and special polling technology, the citizens will deliberate for two days before arriving at considered and focussed final recommendations.

They will then debate these with a number of Irish MEPs on Sunday at 2.30pm.

There will be a follow-up EU citizens' summit in Brussels in May where the top ten recommendations to have emerged from all the national consultations will be put to EU leaders in advance of the European Parliament elections.

You too can participate in this consultation process. Just send your question for MEPs to info@forumoneurope.ie and it may get asked during the weekend.