Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We will relay that information to the petitioner to make her aware of our progress. The petition came in response to a double tragedy in her community. As Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh suggested, we will acknowledge the seriousness of the matter, outline the work which has been done and inform the petitioner that we will be taking the course of action suggested by Deputy Seamus Kirk.

Petition No. 29/2013 is from Mr. Pádraig Murphy and seeks the legalisation of cannabis in Ireland. A Private Members' Bill was recently introduced in the Dáil on this issue and has been subject to considerable debate. Furthermore, another Bill will be tabled on the issue in the near future . The committee does not propose to debate the matter further when there is already so much ongoing debate and analysis. We will communicate this decision to the petitioner. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Petition No. 67/2012 is from Mr. Liam Ó Tuathail and pertains to the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2010. Members will recall this petition was initially considered at our meeting on 16 October, at which time members requested that legal advice be obtained on the issues arising in respect of it. After receiving legal advice, the committee has deemed the petition to be inadmissible. We will write to the petitioner with a clear explanation of the grounds on which we believe it to be inadmissible. While we clearly have to inform petitioners when their petitions are inadmissible, when we have to receive legal advice, the secretariat will be able to draw on the assistance of the Parliamentary Counsel in drafting letters.

I return to petition No. 46/2012 from Mr. Matthew Vincent Smith who claims he was wrongfully convicted of assault in circumstances where a garda had allegedly lied under oath.