Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal West, Sinn Fein)

I think we can all agree that a comprehensive and good piece of work was done this morning by the committee. We have a good bit to work on following that. I thank all those involved for their participation.

I propose that the petitions considered by the committee at this and previous meetings be published and that the replies from the Departments and other bodies may also be published. Is that agreed? Agreed.

We have three petitions to consider. No. P00004/25, “Save Castletowns Lime Avenue”, is from the Save Castletown Gate Protectors. Do members have any views on this petition?

It seeks to keep the protected pedestrian structure named Lime Avenue at Castletown House pedestrian. It also seeks to restore M4 access to Castletown House using whatever legislation might be required. The secretariat wrote to Office of Public Works, OPW, on 6 June 2025 seeking a response and one has been received. I propose that we publish the response and that we forward the correspondence from the OPW to the petitioner for comment within 14 days. The commentary from the petitioner might inform how we proceed. Is that agreed? Agreed.

No. 00012/25, "Justice for those Abused in the Homes run by the State", was submitted by Mr. Corwyn Bertrand-Fuchs. This petitioner has asked for a public apology and for recognition and proper redress for all of those who were abused. There has been correspondence between the Department and the petitioner through this committee. The matter was brought before the committee of the Thirty-third Dáil along with the previous recommendation. However, there was no quorum at the relevant meeting, which, incidentally, was the last before the dissolution of the previous Dáil, so the matter was not properly considered. There was correspondence from the then Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. We should forward that to the petitioner for comment within 14 days. Any comment from the petitioner will guide our next steps. Is that agreed? Agreed.

No. 00016/25 is "A Call for Urgent Action on Flood Relief for Rathcormac, Castlemartyr, Killeagh and Mogeely". The petitioners are the Gleann Fia Residents' Association, Rathcormac Flood Protection, Castlemartyr Flood Protection and Killeagh Flood Protection. The petition relates to flooding and what is described as a flooding crisis for the communities involved. The petition notes that the families in the affected areas feel abandoned and are under incredible stress. It also notes that many families have been torn apart and that others are hanging on by a thread. The petition specifically refers to red tape. Do members have any views?