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My belief in the principle of Active Citizenship was, and is, the motivation for my involvement in politics. The notion of Active Citizenship guides me in every aspect of my local and policy work and forms the cornerstone of my political values.

Below is an article that is I wrote after announcing my candidacy for the Seanad:

“On his inauguration as President John F. Kennedy challenged his fellow Americans on the meaning of citizenship. The challenge was on the obligations as well as the rights that such citizenship bestows. I believe citizenship should mean Active Citizenship and this should be an ingrained belief in our national psyche.

The last decade has seen tremendous economic success and many changes to Irish society. With this good work done, and now relatively financially comfortable, it is time to reassess citizenship.

People should feel the urge to contribute to society in return for the economic and social security that society provides. We should be striving to create a true republican society, emphasising "égalité et fraternité". Such a desire to contribute to society in this manner has always been present in the Irish psyche as evidenced by the nation’s resounding response to both national and international appeals.

Active Citizenship requires active government. Active Citizens require guidance from government on where their efforts should be directed. Government should facilitate this altruistic tendency, empowering people to make a contribution where it will have the most impact. A lot of Irish people have a large amount of "altruistic potential" that evaporates for want of a channel or focus. I believe that tremendous upside benefits to modern Irish society can be achieved by harnessing this potential.

I applaud the efforts of former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and the Active Citizenship Working Group on their efforts to promote a greater ethos of volunteerism in society. In the mould of Ireland’s greatest Republicans like Tone and Emmet, An Taoiseach’s optimism about the Irish peoples strength and union led him to try to create channels for our instinctive desire to help and volunteer.

I want to contribute to this great movement and I also encourage you to get involved in any way you can. I and the Fianna Fail party want to see volunteerism become an integral part of citizenship. We want to build communities, to turn the thousands of new houses our prosperity has created into homes and to harness our strength and union to build something truly great - the republican society.

I believe that in the Senate I can contribute most to promoting the interests of voluntary groups and helping people to get involved. I want to help the Taoiseach build a volunteer infrastructure that will draw on the commitment and energy of thousands of people around Ireland”.

To view Mark's submission to the Taskforce on Active Citizenship please click here.

For my latest news on Active Citizenship and all other recent releases please click here.