Vice Chairman (Deputy Michael McCarthy):

The first petition is P00034/12 from Miss Sharon Kerrigan concerning the rejection of her application for inclusion in a disadvantaged area scheme. The recommendation is-----

Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Apologies, but I have to try bi-location between two committee meetings.

Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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The Deputy has been here for 20 months and should know by now that bi-location is an art.

Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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It looks rude when there are members of the public present.

Susan O'Keeffe (Labour)
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Ladies do not do bi-location.

Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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I want to seek clarification from the petitioner on whether it is a complaint about the scheme or the Ombudsman's handling of the matter. That is the recommendation. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The second petition is P00035/12 from Ms Helena Corcoran in respect of electro-magnetic radiation. The recommendation is that as a preliminary step, the committee request an update from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government on the issue, as the expert group report dates back to 2007. In referring the petition the committee could also ask the Department to confirm that a national research programme was set up, as suggested in the statement of March 2007. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The third petition is P00045/12 in respect of the ombudsman for the Defence Forces and the petition made by Mr. Donohoe. We have agreed that we write to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence to ask whether there are plans to amend the relevant legislation to allow petitioners or specific cases to be heard. We will also refer the specific case to the ombudsman. During 2013 when the appropriate ombudsman comes before the committee to present an annual report or is due to visit, we recommend that we write to the ombudsman in advance to ask that the ombudsman address the specific case in reply. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The fourth petition is P00049/12 in respect of road traffic accidents. The recommendation is fivefold. It is recommended that as a preliminary step, the petition be forwarded to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence asking that he address and report back to the committee on the following issues: first, his view on assigning responsibility for recording road traffic accidents to qualified statisticians; second, how the Department and An Garda Síochána assess requests for information under the Data Protection and Freedom of Information Acts; third, whether there is any intention to start recording road traffic accidents in the same manner here as in the North of Ireland; fourth, if there are plans to change or improve the layout of the website of An Garda Síochána; and, fifth, if it is feasible for those responsible for publishing data to provide information on the website on the actual road or roads where accidents occurred. Is that agreed?

Susan O'Keeffe (Labour)
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May I add to the recommendations?

Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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Yes.

Susan O'Keeffe (Labour)
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We could perhaps write to the petitioner to ask him for the response he has undoubtedly received from the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence because he has already made an application for this to the Minister and obviously has a problem, which is why he has come to us. It might better inform our letter and the way that we advocate our recommendations.

Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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Is the Senator proposing that we write to the petitioner to ask him for a copy of the correspondence he has received from the Minister?

Susan O'Keeffe (Labour)
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Yes. In that way, when we write to the Minister, we could articulate and take into account what was said. Otherwise we would be wasting the Minister's time.

Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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If that proposal is acceptable, we will have to wait for the petitioner to get back to us with the information. Is that agreed? Agreed. That is the sixth recommendation made in respect of the petition.

I now propose that the committee adjourn until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, 16 January 2013 when it will meet the Minister for Health and Children, the Secretary General of the Department of Health and Children and representatives of the HSE. Is that agreed? Agreed.