Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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We are now in public session to discuss decisions of the Committee on Public Petitions.

The first petition for consideration is Petition No. P00021/16 from Mr. Michael Callanan entitled, “Investigate circumstances relating to flawed implementation of fishing Legislation”. The petitioner is claiming that correspondence forwarded on behalf of the Chairman contained serious inaccuracies, which conflicted with that given by individual members of the previous committee when contacted by the petitioner; that the value for money review of the decommissioning schemes 2005 and 2008 fully vindicates his claims in relation to the administration of the scheme; that the information relating to the two test cases are readily available; and that it would take an impartial independent individual less than two hours to adjudicate on the matter.

It is proposed to inform the petitioner that the committee is satisfied with the response from the Department with regard to all aspects of the issues raised in his petition, except the decision in relation to one of the cases provided. Therefore, it will correspond with the Department requesting that it confirm that all 490 successful applicants fully met with the following qualifying criteria: demonstrated a track record in commercial sea fishing by means of pots in the Irish inshore; and were not in full-time employment outside of the fishing industry. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The next petition for consideration is Petition No. P00022/16 entitled, “Ireland should join the Antarctic Treaty”. The petitioner is asking the Irish Government to sign the Antarctic Treaty to demonstrate that Ireland is committed to preserving the Continent of Antarctica. There are 303 signatures supporting the petition. The Department in its response stated that there is no compelling reason, either strategic or economic, for Ireland to ratify the treaty; that ratification would require a number of Departments to prepare legislation for the Oireachtas and would place considerable strain on Department resources; that Ireland is proud of our positive legacy in the Antarctic; and that Ireland is deeply committed to combatting global warming and climate change through ensuring a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, it is proposed to forward a copy of the response received from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the petitioner and close the petition. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The next petition for consideration is No. P00023/16 in the name of Mr. Norman Wilson, entitled "Acknowledgment of, and response to, correspondence by Government Ministers". The petitioner is requesting that all correspondence by e-mail to Ministers, Departments and An Garda Síochána be acknowledged within 24 hours of receipt and comprehensively responded to within one calendar month. The reform delivery office in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is responsible for the quality customer service initiative, as part of which all Departments, Government offices and other public bodies are required to publish charters covering a three-year period, based around a four-step cycle involving consultation, commitment, evaluation and reporting. In adhering to the requirements of this initiative, the Department of Justice and Equality published its 2016-18 customer service charter in 2016. This charter outlines the aims of the Department in improving customer service, for example by setting out response times to written and e-mail communications. It is proposed to forward a copy of the response from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to the petitioner and to refer the petition to the Department of Justice and Equality for response. Is that agreed?