Committees

Minutes of the meeting of 30th April 2024

Need for greater regulation and oversight of the English Language Education sector - Session 1

• English Language Student's Union of Ireland (ELSU)

Need for greater regulation and oversight of the English language Education sector - Session 2

• Marketing English in Ireland (MEI)
• Irish Council for International Students (ICOS)

Discussion regarding the finalisation of the draft National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) and nLTS

• Representatives from Friends of the Earth, Mr. Oisín Coghlan, Chief Executive
• Representatives from Environmental Pillar
• Representatives from Stop Climate Chaos
• Representatives from Environmental Justice Network Ireland

Session One: Pre-committee stage detailed scrutiny of the Parental Bereavement Leave (Amendment) Bill 2021 [PMB] sponsored by Réada Cronin T.D.

• Officials from Dept. of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Ms Carol Baxter, Assistant Secretary and Ms Lisa Hughes, Assistant Principal, and
• Réada Cronin T.D. (sponsor of Bill).

Session Two: Pre-committee stage detailed scrutiny of the Parental Bereavement Leave (Amendment) Bill 2021 [PMB] sponsored by Réada Cronin T.D.

• Representatives from Féileacáin, Ms Nina Doyle, Regional Coordinator and Parent Representative,
• Réada Cronin T.D. (sponsor of Bill), and
• Ms Caroline Smith and Mr Martin Smith.

Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme

• Representatives from Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage
• Representatives from The Housing Agency
• Representatives from National Standards Authority of Ireland
• Representatives from Engineers Ireland
• Representatives from County and City Management Association

Engagement with An Tánaiste to brief on Foreign Affairs Council and UN matters and the Individually Tailored Partnership Programme with NATO.

• Micheál Martin, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs; and Defence

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Businesses

• Representatives from Accenture
• Representatives from PWC
• Representatives from EY

Minutes of the meeting of 8th May 2024

The implementation of healthcare strategies for neurology and neurorehabilitation

• Representatives from Neurological Alliance of Ireland

Discussion on recent developments in the EU relating to security and defence

• Dr Kenneth McDonagh, Head of School, School of Law and Government, DCU
• Professor Ben Tonra, School of Politics and International Relations, UCD

Engagement on Road Safety.

• Representatives from An Garda Síochána, Commissioner Drew Harris
• Representatives from An Garda Síochána, Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman

Éileamh ar an nGaelscolaíocht nach bhfuil á shásamh ag an Stát

• le hionadaithe ón bhfeachtas chun Gaelcholáiste a bhunú i mBaile Átha Cliath 2, 4, 6 agus 8
• le hionadaithe ón bhfeachtas chun Gaelcholáiste a bhunú i mBaile Átha Cliath 10 agus 12
• le hionadaithe ón bhfeachtas chun Gaelcholáiste a bhunú i nDeisceart Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath
• le hionadaithe ón bhfeachtas chun Gaelcholáiste a bhunú i dTuaisceart Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath
• le hionadaithe ón bhfeachtas chun Gaelcholáiste a bhunú i Sord Cholmcillle, i gContae Bhaile Átha Cliath

Minutes of previous meetings

Election of Leaschathaoirleach

Engagement with The Revenue Commissioners

• Mr Niall Cody, Chairman
• Representatives from The Office of the Revenue Commissioners

Report on Indexation of the Taxation and Social Protection System (resumed)

• Officials from Dept. of Finance
• Officials from Dept. of Social Protection
• Representatives from the Revenue Commissioners

Collection and Recycling of Farm Plastics (resumed)

• Ossian Smyth, Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications

Appropriation Accounts 2022: Vote 26 - Education

Areas of particular interest include: running costs and demand management for schools, school building programmes, school transport, disposal of assets of religious orders, Caranua and expenditure in relation to special education.

Minutes of the meeting of 9 May 2024

Accounts and Statements

Correspondence

Consideration of Draft Committee work programme

Any other business

Approval of the minutes of previous meetings

Public Petition Number P00049/23 “Extra Time to be introduced as a Reasonable Accommodation for Dyslexic Students in State Examinations (Junior Cycle & Leaving Certificate)” from Dyslexia Association of Ireland

• Representatives from State Examinations Commission, Ms Andrea Feeney, Chief Executive Officer and Mr Richard Dolan, Director of Operations
• Officials from Dept. of Education, Ms Celeste O'Callaghan, Principal Officer, Curriculum and Assessment Policy

Consideration of Public Petition Number P00021/24 “4 day week”

Consideration of Public Petition Number P00028/24 “Credit Unions”

Consideration of Public Petition Number P00029/24 “Ireland, Open up an emergency admission program for Sudanese people fleeing war”

Consideration of Public Petition Number P00030/24 “Request for Oireachtas Investigation into IHREC Funding Allocation”

Any other business

Discussion on the Circular Economy as it relates to the food sector

• Officials from Dept. of Environment, Climate and Communications, Tony Collins, Principal Officer, Marc Kierans, Principal Officer and; Brian Quirke, Assistant Principal Officer
• Representatives from Environmental Protection Agency, Mr. David Flynn, Director, Office of Environmental Sustainability; Mr. Warren Phelan, Programme Manager, Circular Economy and; Ms.. Fiona McCoole, Senior Manager Circular Economy Programme

Discussion on the Circular Economy as it relates to the food sector

• Representatives from FoodCloud, Angela Ruttledge, Head of Public Engagement and; Aoibheann O'Brien, Co-Founder and Director of Development and Innovation
• Representatives from Food Drink Ireland, Paul Kelly, Director; Linda Stuart-Trainor, Deputy Director and; Kevin Maher, Environmental Sustainability Executive
• Representatives from Circular Bioeconomy Research Group (CircBio), James Gaffey, Co-Director and; Dr. Helena McMahon, Co-Director

Minutes of the meeting of 14 May 2024

The need for greater regulation and oversight of the English Language Education Sector (Resumed)

• Officials from Dept. of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
• Quality and Qualifications Ireland

Minutes of meetings.

A Review of the Barnahus Model for young people who have experienced child sexual abuse

• Representatives from Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Mr Des Delaney, Principal Officer, Chief Social Worker and Chair of the Interdepartmental Group on Barnahus Implementation, and Ms Ciara Doyle, Assistant Principal Officer, Social Work Specialist, and Project Lead for the IDG on Barnahus Implementation,
• Representatives from Tusla, Ms Kate Duggan, Chief Executive, Mr Gerard Brophy, Chief Social Worker and Ms Clare Murphy, Interim National Director of Services and Integration,
• Representatives from Health Service Executive, Ms Helen Shortt, Lead Barnahus Model Implementation,
• Representatives from Children Health Ireland, Ms Fiona Murphy, Acting Chief Executive, and Mr Stephen Flanagan Deputy Chief Executive, and
• Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly, Organised and Serious Crime, and Detective Chief Superintendent Colm Noonan, Garda National Protective Services Bureau.

Review of Part B (Fire Safety) of the Building Regulations

• Officials from Dept. of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
• Representatives from Dublin City Council
• Representatives from Dublin Fire Brigade

Engagment with resident Ambassadors to mark Africa Day and to discuss the relationship between Ireland and the various countries represented

• Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco H.E. Dr Lahcen Mahraoui
• Ambassador of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria H.E. Mr. Mohamed Belaoura
• Ambassador of Arab Republic of Egypt H.E. Mr. Mohamed Selim
• Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of the Republic of South Africa Ms Mabet van Rensburg
• Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of the Republic of Sudan Mr. Mohammed Elbashir
• First Secretary, Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Mrs Mamoratehi Mary Bokopane

Engagement with Ms Dorothy Donovan BL, Chairperson Designate, Property Services Appeal Board

Committee Stage consideration of the Charities (Amendment) Bill 2023

• Joe O'Brien, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and at the Department of Social Protection and at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Committee Stage consideration of the Civil Registration (Electronic Registration) Bill 2024

• Joe O'Brien, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and at the Department of Social Protection and at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Committee Stage consideration of the Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2024

• Dara Calleary, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Imeachtaí of Select Committee meetings of 14 February 2024

Minutes of the meeting of 14th and 15th May 2024

The employment of consultants and non-consultant hospital doctors in public hospitals

• Representatives from Irish Medical Organisation

Tuarascáil an Chomhchoiste: Earnáil Scríbhneoireachta, Foilsitheoireachta agus Léitheoireachta na Gaeilge

• Aire Stáit na Gaeltachta, an Teachta Dála Thomas Byrne

Aon Ghnó Eile

Further Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals: COM(2023)406 on Draft Amending Budget No 3 to the General Budget 2023

• Representatives from AFRI
• Representatives from Transnational Institute
• Officials from Dept. of Defence
• Officials from Dept. of Finance
• Representatives from European Commission

Minutes of previous meetings

Supports for the development of Regional Film and TV Production (resumed)

• Representatives from Screen Producers Ireland
• Representatives from Animation Ireland
• Representatives from Ardmore and Troy Studios
• Representatives from Telegael
• Representatives from Ardán

Engagement on ComReg’s enforcement functions concerning end-users of electronic communications services.

• Representatives from ComReg

Progressing children’s disability services (resumed)

• Dr Noreen O’Leary, Lecturer, School of Population Health, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland & Ms Geraldine Moran, Assistant Professor, School of Allied Health, University of Limerick

Further Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals: COM(2024)139 on Proposal for a Regulation on agricultural and environmental condition standards, schemes for climate, environment and animal welfare, amendments to CAP Strategic Plans, and review of CAP Strategic Plans

• Officials from Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Further Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals: COM(2023)411 on Proposal for a Regulation on plants obtained by certain new genomic techniques and their food and feed, and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/625

• Officials from Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
• Officials from Dept. of Environment, Climate and Communications
• Representatives from Teagasc

Finance & Economics - Discussion on the all-island economy (resumed)

• Representatives from Dublin City University (DCU), Professor John Doyle, Vice President for Research
• Representatives from Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), Dr. Adele Bergin, Associate Research Professor and Dr. Seamus McGuinness, Research Professor

Appropriation Account 2022 Vote 35 – Army Pensions

Appropriation Account 2022 Vote 36 - Defence

Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022 Chapter 12 – Stock management in the Defence Forces

Area of interest: the Reserve Defence Force

Minutes of the meeting of 16 May 2024

Accounts and Statements

Correspondence

Consideration of Draft Committee work programme

Any other business

Engagement on the Work of the Committee

• Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and at the Department of Foreign Affairs and at the Department of Defence

Approval of the minutes of previous meetings

Public Petition No. P00036/22 “REOPEN ENNIS, NENAGH & ST JOHNS Emergency Departments” from Midwest Hospital Campaign Group

• Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Health
• Officials from Dept. of Health, Ms Siobhan McArdle, Assistant Secretary with responsibility for Unscheduled Care and Ms Tracey Conroy, Assistant Secretary with responsibility for Acute Hospitals Oversight and Performance
• Representatives from Health Service Executive, Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer and Dr Rosa McNamara, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, St Vincent’s University Hospital Dublin and Advisor to the Emergency Medicine Programme

Consideration of Public Petition Number P00034/24 “Future of the Dean Maxwell Community Nursing Unit, Roscrea”

Consideration of Public Petition Number P00036/24 “Action needed for derelict buildings in Youghal, Co. Cork”

Consideration of Public Petition Number P00037/24 “Mandate life-saving measures for babies born at 22 weeks in all Irish hospitals”

Any other business

Committee Stage consideration of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024

• Micheál Martin, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs; and Defence