Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I want to draw the Leader's attention to a motion that my Labour Party colleagues and I have on the Order Paper seeking:

That Seanad Éireann will establish a petitions committee and initiate procedures for civil engagement with the Seanad through a right of individuals, community groups and organisations to petition the Seanad and make a request to the Seanad to take a view or initiate or amend legislation in relation to matters of public interest or concern.

I urge the Leader to consider this proposal because I know she has great interest in Seanad reform and a key part of this is the issue of engagement with the public. Granting the public the right to petition the Seanad would be an ideal way to achieve this goal. The right to petition parliament is a concept that has existed for centuries and the Scottish Parliament has an e-petitioning system in place which has led to changes in the law in Scotland. Such a move would be particularly suited to the Seanad because we are not directly elected.