Joint Committee on Public Petitions now accepting online petitions from members of public

All petitions addressed to the Houses of the Oireachtas stand referred to the Joint Committee on Public Petitions and may address:

·         matters of general public concern or interest (in relation to their legislative powers);

·         or issues of public policy.

The Joint Committee on Public Petitions will assess the petitions and examine the issues raised.

Petitions may be submitted by:

·         individual person;

·         a body corporate;

·         or an unincorporated association of persons.

The Committee may invite Petitioners, stakeholders, representatives of public bodies, Government officials and Ministers to attend public meetings of the Committee to discuss a petition.

The committee can take such action as it considers appropriate in relation to a petition and may also

·         refer a petition to any Ombudsman or regulator or redress body;

·         refer a petition to any other Oireachtas committee;

·         Report to the Dáil and/or Seanad, including recommendations, and request a debate in the Dáil and/or Seanad.

The petitioner will be kept informed of developments until the Committee concludes the process.

Deputy Martin Browne, Cathaoirleach of Committee on Public Petitions, said: “The Committee welcomes the opportunity to open the submission process for Public Petitions. This gives all members of society the opportunity to raise issues of public importance – whether on a national or regional basis – with policy makers and opens up access for the general public to Houses of the Oireachtas and Committees. The restoration of the Petitions System allows citizens and others to contribute directly to the parliamentary agenda and to influence changes in public policy where appropriate, with the right to a reply.”

Deputy Browne added: “The Committee has built up a good relationship with various Ombudsmen who deal with deal with issues of great importance to the public. It is our ambition to see this close working relationship develop further, for the benefit of every member of our society. Any individual citizen or group who wish to raise matters of public concern or interest, or about public policy, is encouraged to use the online portal on Oireachtas.ie to submit a petition, which will be carefully considered by the Committee.”

The Joint Committee on Public Petitions is a standing Committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas and has 11 Members, seven from the Dáil and four from the Seanad. The online portal for submitting petitions and information on how to submit a petition can be found on the Committee’s home page on Oireachtas.ie.