Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We have 12 petitions for consideration. Petition No. 2 of 2022, "Homelessness is a Cancer ... blocked-up houses are not a cure", is from Mr. Eamon Broughan. The committee recommends that the response on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage be sent to the petitioner for comment within 14 days; that the response on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage be sent to Kildare County Council for comment within 14 days; and that Kildare County Council be invited to appear before the Committee on Public Petitions to discuss this petition during the autumn session as part of the committee's work programme, should the time allow it. Is it agreed? Agreed.

Petition No. 6 of 2022, "Bye-By Elections in Ireland may comply with legislation however they do not comply with the Constitution.", is from Mr. John O’Malley. The committee recommends that the petitioner's latest response be forwarded to Mr. Graham Doyle, Secretary General at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for his consideration. Is it agreed? Agreed.

Petition No. 13 of 2022, "Call for a public inquiry into Covid-19 residential care deaths.", is from Dr. Stephen O’Shaughnessy. The committee recommends that correspondence from the Department of Health be forwarded to the petitioner for comment within 14 days. Is it agreed? Agreed.

Petition No. 14 of 2022, “Raise the Defence Forces’ Upper Age Limit.”, is from Mr. Stephen Martin. The committee recommends that the response of 7 July 2022 from the Department be forwarded to the petitioner for further comment within 14 days.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Petition No. 22 of 2022 regarding an investigation to identify whether Irish citizens have been spied on illegally is from Mr. Carles Pujol. The committee recommends that the response from the Department of Justice be forwarded to the petitioner and that he be advised that the petition is now deemed closed. The response from the Department advises, among other things, that if the petitioner has any evidence to suggest that an Irish citizen has been the target of illegal spyware, he should inform An Garda Síochána. The committee highlights this to the petitioner. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Petition No. 26 of 2022 regarding carer's allowance is from Ms Margaret Keogh. The committee recommends that the correspondence of 6 July 2022 from the petitioner be sent to Mr. John McKeon, Secretary General of the Department of Social Protection and that the petition and associated correspondence be sent to the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys, for consideration. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Petition No. 29 of 2022 regarding research into topical steroid withdrawal is from Ms Neave Tugwell. The committee recommends that the response from the Department of Health be forwarded to the petitioner for comment within 14 days. Is that agreed? Agreed?

Petition No. 33 regarding amendments to the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 is from Mr. Liam Doran. The committee recommends that the correspondence from Dr. Orlaigh Quinn, Secretary General of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, be forwarded to the petitioner and he be advised that, as the Department considers the current entitlement is sufficient and has no plans to extend the minimum break times laid out in the Organisation of Working Time Act, the petition is deemed closed. Is that agreed?

Petition No. 34 of 2022 regarding the erection of a First World War memorial stone in Clondalkin park to commemorate those from Clondalkin who died in that war is from Mr. Liam Doran. The committee recommends that the correspondence from Ms Lorna Maxwell of South Dublin County Council be forwarded to the petitioner for comment within 14 days. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Petition No. 36 of 2021 regarding reform of insurance for thatched cottages is from Ms Kate McNelis. This petition relates to the difficulties people have in getting insurance for residential and commercial thatched properties. The committee recommends that an email be sent to the Minister of State at the Department of Finance with responsibility for financial services, credit unions and insurance, Deputy Fleming, seeking a response to the petition and that the response from the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Noonan, be forwarded to the petitioner for reply within 14 days. The committee further recommends that the petitioner and up to two individuals supporting her petition be invited to a meeting of this committee to discuss her petition and that the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, be invited to a meeting to discuss the petition following his Department's publication of a study of the issues around insurance for thatch, which is expected in late September 2022. Is that agreed?