Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Taoiseach. Before I start, I congratulate Senator Flynn on becoming Chair of her committee.

The issue of more committees has been raised. I agree that there is a need for some, but it will put more pressure on Members and the committee secretariat. I can see this in the Joint Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen. It is not possible for the secretariat to take on more, given the amount of work it already does for us.

One of the main issues my committee is encountering is that of areas that fall under two or three Departments. For example, thatched cottages are covered by the Departments of Finance and Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

It is not just the thatched cottages but all the sporting events cancelled during the year. It is across several Departments and that seems to be causing some of the problems. Every one of us realises the importance of the likes of thatched cottages to our heritage. If something is not done quickly, the only place we will see them is on postcards.

One of the problems we are coming across is getting answers from different Departments and the amount of time it takes them to come back to us. People need to realise when someone goes to the trouble of sending a petition to us, it is probably a last-chance saloon for them. They have gone down all avenues locally, including councils, health boards and so on. Most of the Departments are fairly good but if we can get back responses faster from them, it builds confidence with the public to send their petitions or concerns up to the committee, whether individual or community. That will build up confidence and more and more people will start using our committee. In most cases, it is the last chance they have to get their concerns raised at a national or any level. Could Departments come back faster? Is there anything that can be done?