EstablishedCLM-0043 · checked 2026-10-23
Ireland's 2016–2018 Citizens' Assembly comprised a chairperson and 99 randomly selected citizens; its recommendations on the Eighth Amendment preceded the 2018 referendum in which 66.4% voted for repeal.[1]
Closed / failedDeliberative / sortition
Ireland Citizens' Assembly (2016–2018)
A chair and 99 randomly selected citizens who deliberated on constitutional questions, including the Eighth Amendment on abortion.
53.35° N · 6.26° W · Dublin area
- Location
- Dublin area
- Operating since
- 2016
- Governance
- Deliberative / sortition
- Legal status
- Recognised
- Economy
- Not applicable
- Autonomy level
- Program within an existing state
- Uses AI in governance
- No
The assembly's recommendations fed into a parliamentary committee and the 2018 referendum. Ireland has since convened further citizens' assemblies on other topics.
Timeline
Mechanisms in use
MechanismSortition / citizens' assemblyA body of citizens selected by lot, usually stratified to reflect the population, who learn, deliberate and recommend.MechanismSortition / citizens' assemblyA body of citizens selected by lot, usually stratified to reflect the population, who learn, deliberate and recommend.
Outcomes & controversies
Its recommendation to replace the Eighth Amendment preceded the 2018 referendum, in which 66.4% voted for repeal.
Claims
EstablishedCLM-0305 · checked 2024-10-31
Ireland's Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss, with 99 randomly selected members and an independent chair, agreed 159 recommendations in January 2023; in October 2024 the Government reported over 90% as implemented or in progress.[1][2]