Joint Committee on Public Petitions to consider petition seeking ‘Reform of Insurance for Thatched Heritage Buildings’

The meeting at 1.30pm in Committee Room 4 of Leinster House will discuss Public Petition Number P00036/21 with petitioner Katie McNelis; Eoin Darby, Thatch Property Owner; and Ciaran McDonnell of the Thatch Insurance Action Group.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Martin Browne said: “This petition is from Ms Katie McNelis who grew up in a thatched cottage in rural Co Tipperary and who has been unable to source insurance for the family home after her mother was informed last year that their previous insurer was withdrawing from the Irish market. Ms McNelis and the Thatch Insurance Action Group are seeking reform of the sector so that owners of thatched cottages can get insurance cover for their properties, many of which have heritage and protected status.

“The Committee will also consider a number of other petitions, including a call to ‘Add Hospitality Staff to the General Employment Permit list now; to save Irish Hospitality’ and petitions relating to ‘Taking in Charge’, ‘Carers Allowance’ and ‘Ban Disposable Vapes’.”

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 meeting in the Committee Room 4 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.