Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Having looked at the planning documents provided by the council, I note much of the reference to taking in charge was around the need to have a polyvinyl chloride, PVC, pipe provided for connection to the public water connection when one became available. That seems to be available now in the estate beside Mr. Coskeran's. Again, it is evident Mr. Coskeran carried out works that were demanded of him to make provision for that outlet that could be used for future connection to the public system. There is also a reference to the lodgement of a cash bond until the council agrees upon a request to take the estate in charge. Of course, since Irish Water was set up, the waters have been kind of muddied. The nature of the transfer of responsiblility that effectively brought to an end the council's ability to act on its own volition on the taking in charge in question has left many housing estates in limbo all over the country. We all know them because people are contacting our offices. It points to the need for this committee to continue and question Irish Water and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage about where their responsibilities lie towards individuals like Mr. Coskeran who have complied and delivered on the demands every side has placed on them. I thank Tipperary County Council for its quick response to what was asked of it when it appeared before us. That a county council or Department got back to us quickly is not something we can say is the case all the time.

Petition No. 30 of 2022 is titled "Apology for those abused in the State homes and foster homes" from Corwyn Bertrand-Fuchs. This petition requests the leader of the Government make a formal apology to those abused in the State-run homes and foster homes. The secretariat corresponded with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O’Gorman, on behalf of the petitioner. The Minister replied, questioning the admissibility of the petition and advising that, if the petition is deemed admissible, the petitioner be asked to provide more detail so that the Minister could then make a substantive response. Despite the petition's lack of detail, the secretariat is of the view it is admissible as per Dáil Standing Order 126(1), "Lodging of Petitions", which states "A petition may be addressed to the Houses of the Oireachtas on a matter of general public concern or interest in relation to their legislative powers or an issue of public policy".

The committee recommends that the correspondence from the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy Roderic O’Gorman, be sent to the petitioner and advises the petitioner that, should they wish to pursue this petition further, more detail will be required. Do members have any views?