We are now in public session. The first petition for consideration is No. P00034/16 from Mr. Joseph O'Shea, a petitioner who is seeking a mechanism to appeal decisions of the Minister for Justice and Equality on the determination of the level of disablement under the Garda Síochána Pensions Order 1925. This is the third time this petition has been considered by the committee. Does any member wish to contribute on this matter? It is proposed that the Joint Committee on Public Petitions forward a copy of the response from the Department of Justice and Equality to the petitioner and close the petition. Is that agreed? Agreed.
The next petition is No. P00004/18 from Mr. Patrick Kelly. This petition seeks the same automatic guardianship for unmarried fathers as that for married fathers. The petition states that a father's name in the birth certificate should bestow the same rights to unmarried fathers instead of a father having to pursue this through the courts system. Are there any contributions on this matter? It is proposed that the committee forward a copy of the response from the Department of Justice and Equality to the petitioner and close the petition. The Clerk to the committee will also circulate the background to the Department's thinking when it considered this matter a number of years ago. Is that agreed? Agreed.