Ireland as a learning experience for the Scottish Citizens’ Assembly

Ireland’s recent high-profile referendums to liberalize abortion laws and to legalize same-sex marriage, both of which followed recommendations from deliberative assemblies, have been held up as examples to the world in how to tackle major reform questions in a democratic and inclusive way. However, much media coverage has over-stated the impact which the assemblies had in the results of both votes and it is dangerous to glorify the Irish process as one which develops consensus or acts as a panacea for complex national issues. Taking inspiration from the Irish model, the Scottish Citizens’ Assembly will shortly begin work on a fascinating experiment in the Scottish context to deliberate on important questions with regard to the future of the country. It is useful, then, to reflect on the Irish experience and consider what lessons this might provide for the Scottish process.