Humbert to hold debate on Lisbon

THE SECOND referendum on the Lisbon Treaty will feature among the main debates at this year’s Humbert School in Ballina, Co Mayo…

THE SECOND referendum on the Lisbon Treaty will feature among the main debates at this year’s Humbert School in Ballina, Co Mayo, from August 20th to 23rd.

The school will be opened by Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin, and will feature Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, Labour Party deputy leader Joan Burton, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Dara Calleary and former European Parliament president Pat Cox.

On August 22nd there will be a day-long debate on "Child Protection Post-Ryan", including contributions from Mary O'Rourke TD, Fine Gael Seanad leader Frances Fitzgerald and executive director of One in Four Maeve Lewis. Also taking part will be Drogheda-based Fr Iggy O'Donovan, former Intercom editor Fr Kevin Hegarty and journalist Mary Raftery, who produced the 1999 RTÉ States of Fearseries.

That evening a special presentation will be made to Mr Justice Seán Ryan, chairman of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, by Nobel laureate John Hume.

Patsy McGarry

Patsy McGarry

Patsy McGarry is a contributor to The Irish Times