Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I want to seek clarification from the petitioner on whether it is a complaint about the scheme or the Ombudsman's handling of the matter. That is the recommendation. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The second petition is P00035/12 from Ms Helena Corcoran in respect of electro-magnetic radiation. The recommendation is that as a preliminary step, the committee request an update from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government on the issue, as the expert group report dates back to 2007. In referring the petition the committee could also ask the Department to confirm that a national research programme was set up, as suggested in the statement of March 2007. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The third petition is P00045/12 in respect of the ombudsman for the Defence Forces and the petition made by Mr. Donohoe. We have agreed that we write to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence to ask whether there are plans to amend the relevant legislation to allow petitioners or specific cases to be heard. We will also refer the specific case to the ombudsman. During 2013 when the appropriate ombudsman comes before the committee to present an annual report or is due to visit, we recommend that we write to the ombudsman in advance to ask that the ombudsman address the specific case in reply. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The fourth petition is P00049/12 in respect of road traffic accidents. The recommendation is fivefold. It is recommended that as a preliminary step, the petition be forwarded to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence asking that he address and report back to the committee on the following issues: first, his view on assigning responsibility for recording road traffic accidents to qualified statisticians; second, how the Department and An Garda Síochána assess requests for information under the Data Protection and Freedom of Information Acts; third, whether there is any intention to start recording road traffic accidents in the same manner here as in the North of Ireland; fourth, if there are plans to change or improve the layout of the website of An Garda Síochána; and, fifth, if it is feasible for those responsible for publishing data to provide information on the website on the actual road or roads where accidents occurred. Is that agreed?