Committee schedule

Minutes of the meeting of 21 May 2024

Roundtable Discussion on Climate Action and Sustainable Development Education in Post Primary and Tertiary Education

• Irish Second Level Students Union (ISSU)
• Union of Students in Ireland (USI)
• 3 Post Primary Students/Climate Change Activists

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

• Eamon Ryan, Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications; and Transport

Detailed scrutiny of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons (Amendment) Bill 2021

• Jim O'Callaghan, TD

The Impact of Means Testing on Carer’s Allowance and other Social Welfare Schemes

• Representatives from One Family Ireland
• Representatives from Family Carers Ireland
• Representatives from Care Alliance Ireland
• Representatives from Home and Community Care Ireland (HCCI)

The Impact of Means Testing on Disability Allowance, Disablement Pension and other Social Welfare Schemes

• Representatives from Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI)

Minutes of the meeting of 22 May 2024

Engagement with Mr. Ciarán Devane, Chairperson Designate, Health Service Executive

• Ciarán Devane

The challenges facing community-based cancer support services in the context of the National Cancer Strategy

• Representatives from The Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres and Services

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Businesses (Resumed)

• Representatives from Amazon
• Representatives from Google Ireland
• Representatives from Microsoft Ireland

Discussion on the results of the European Movement Ireland EU Poll 2024: Ireland and Northern Ireland.

• Ms Noelle O' Connell, CEO of European Movement Ireland
• Ms Lorna Hayes, Deputy CEO, Policy and Research

Engagement with the National Cyber Security Centre on its activities and operations

• Representatives from National Cyber Security Centre

Further Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals: COM(2023)769 on Proposal on improving the rules on the welfare of cats and dogs and their traceability

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

Compliance with the Nitrates Directive: Implications for Ireland (resumed)

• Representatives from IBEC (Dairy Industry Ireland)

Rights-based approach in Day Services

• Representatives from Ability West, Mary Foyle, Area Service Manager, Day Services, Stephen Boyle & Sarah Molloy, Day service Managers
• Representatives from Delta Centre CLG, Joe Meany, Chief Executive Officer & Suzanne Morrissey Forde, Deputy CEO & Finance Manager
• Representatives from National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers, Alison Harnett, Chief Executive & Teresa Mallon, representative on Working Group on the Development of an Outcomes Focus (New Directions)

• Representatives from the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board
• Representatives from Health Service Executive (HSE)
• Officials from Dept. of Health

Minutes of the meeting of 23 May 2024

Accounts and Statements

Correspondence

Consideration of Draft Committee work programme

Any other business

Women and Constitutional Change (resumed)

• Sophie Nelson, Policy Development Officer, HERe NI

Approval of the minutes of previous meetings

Public Petition Number P00030/23 “Create a walking and cycling greenway on the closed railway from Sligo to Athenry” from Western Rail Trail (resumed)

• Officials from Dept. of Transport, Mr Garret Doocey, Assistant Secretary, Land Transport Division and Ms Elizabeth Hayes, Assistant Principal Officer, National Roads, Greenways and Active Travel Division

Consideration of Public Petition Number P00036/21 “Reform of Insurance for Thatched Heritage Buildings” (resumed)

Consideration of Public Petition Number P00006/22 “Bye/By Elections in Ireland may comply with legislation however they do not comply with the Constitution” (resumed)

Consideration of Public Petition Number P00008/24 “Employment Equality”

Any other business

Minutes of the meeting of 28 May 2024

Briefing on Climate Action and Sustainable Development Education in Primary and Post Primary Schools

• Officials from Dept. of Education
• Official from National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)

Briefing on Climate Action and Sustainable Development Education in Tertiary Education

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

Engagement with Dóchas to discuss their pre-budget submission

Committee Stage consideration of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2024

• Mary Butler, Minister of State at the Department of Health

The application of the Universal Credit system in the UK and views on consolidation of working age social assistance payments with regards to a singular means test with academics.

• Representatives from University of Oxford, Fran Bennett
• Representatives from University of Bath, Professor Jane Millar
• Representatives from Resolution Foundation, Mike Brewer
• Representatives from University of York, Professor Ruth Patrick

Seoladh Tuarascála an Chomhchoiste ar an ábhar: 'T2 na Sraithe Sóisearaí don Ghaeilge ag Leibhéal na hIar-Bhunscoile’.

To discuss the impact of the passenger cap at Dublin Airport on Ryanair's business and operations.

• Representatives from Ryanair

Engagement with Terence O'Rourke, Chairperson to the Board of Raidió Teilifís Éireann

Infrastructure Guidelines

• Officials from Dept. of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's Response to Ash Dieback: Limerick and Tipperary Woodland Owners (resumed)

• Representatives from Limerick and Tipperary Woodland Owners Ltd

Use of agricultural land for renewable energy

• Representatives from ESB Networks

Appropriation Accounts 2022 – Office of Public Works Vote 13 – Office of Public Works

• Representatives from the Office of Public Works (OPW)
• Officials from Dept. of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
• Officials from Dept. of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

Minutes of the meeting of 23 and 30 May 2024

Accounts and Statements

Correspondence

Consideration of Draft Committee work programme

Any other business

Engagement with Representatives from the Citizens Assembly

Discussion on Women and Constitutional Change (resumed)

• Eileen Weir, Network Co-Ordinator, Shankill Women's Centre
• Susan McCrory, Centre Manager, Falls Women's Centre

Travel Accommodation

• Representatives from the Irish Human Rights Equality Commission (IHREC), Dr Rosaleen McDonagh, Member of the Commission; Ms Rebecca Keatinge, Senior Solicitor

Any other business

Approval of the minutes of previous meetings

Public Petition Number P00035/22 “Amend Child Care Act 1991 to provide HIQA with the necessary powers to sanction Tusla, Child and Family Agency when it fails to meet its statutory obligations” from Alliance of Birth Mothers Campaigning for Justice

• Representatives from Alliance of Birth Mothers Campaigning for Justice, Ms Anna Kavanagh, Convenor and Petitioner; Dr Finbar Markey, Secretary; and Ms Michelle Monaghan, Lead Researcher

Consideration of Public Petition Number P00036/21 “Reform of Insurance for Thatched Heritage Buildings” (resumed)

Consideration of Public Petition Number P00006/22 “Bye/By Elections in Ireland may comply with legislation however they do not comply with the Constitution” (resumed)

Consideration of Public Petition Number P00008/24 “Employment Equality” (resumed)

Any Other Business

Update on the Housing for All scheme

• Darragh O'Brien, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

2024 Revised Estimates for Public Services - Vote 16 (Tailte Éireann), Vote 23 (An Coimisiún Toghcháin), Vote 34 (Housing, Local Government and Heritage)

• Darragh O'Brien, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage