We are in public session. The committee has deliberated petition No. P00035/12, from Ms Helen Corcoran, re microwave sickness or electro-sensitivity arising from mobile telephone masts. Do we have any recommendations?
Decisions on Public Petitions Received
I propose we accept the recommendations as outlined.
All right. For the record, the recommendations are, first, that the committee note that the World Health Organisation's international EMF project is expected to issue a formal risk assessment of all studied health outcomes from radiofrequency field exposure in 2014. Second, the view of the committee is that publication of the risk assessment will present a further opportunity for review of public policy in regard to non-ionising radiation. Third, the committee considers that in the interim any attempt to consider issues raised by the petition would almost certainly be inconclusive.
Finally, in the circumstances the committee has decided to close the petition. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Petition No. P00051/12 is from Mr. Michael Callanan regarding concerns about fishing legislation decisions. The committee had an opportunity to deliberate on this petition and I will take recommendations.
I thank Mr. Callanan for his petition. We would be interested in examining his petition further but we believe he has further information that would be of benefit to this committee in its deliberations, and without that further information we are caught in terms of what has happened previously with him. We will be requesting Mr. Callanan to furnish us with the additional information to which he refers in this document and we will then have a further deliberation on his behalf.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
Two votes have been called and therefore we will move on quickly. The next petition is No. P00058/12 from Mr. John Atkinson regarding a change in mandatory sentencing for murder convictions. The committee has had an opportunity to deliberate on this and I propose that the following recommendation be accepted:
The committee notes that the Law Reform Commission is expected to publish a report on mandatory sentences in the coming months. The view of the committee is that publication of the report will present an opportunity for informed debate in regard to public policy in this area. The committee considers that, in the interim, it would be premature for this or any other committee to consider the issue of mandatory sentencing. In the circumstances, the committee has decided to close the petition.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
Can I ask whether it is appropriate - forgive me, but I do not know - for the petitioner to forward his recommendations to the Law Reform Commission? In closing the petition we might say that to him if it is appropriate.
Yes; we can encourage the petitioner to contact the Law Reform Commission.
An excellent suggestion.
Is it agreed, as an additional point, that we do that? Agreed.
The next petition is No. P0007/13 from Mr. Paddy Lambe regarding concerns about inappropriate standards related to proposed diving industry legislation. I will open this up for recommendations. We had a chance to deliberate on it.
This is a complex matter because new regulations for the diving industry are almost finalised. It is something with which not many of us are familiar - certainly not myself, as I have never been involved with diving in any way. This committee has made clear that we must be made aware of previous action taken by petitioners. In this case the petitioner appears to have lobbied in the United Kingdom regarding this matter, and that is to be lauded, but we do not know whether he may have been involved already with the public consultation that occurred some years ago on the diving industry regulations. It would help us to know this, and he might indicate whether we can be of any further assistance. I would recommend the committee seek clarification of the work he may have done and then make a decision as to whether we close the petition or refer it to the relevant Department, which I believe is the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
We could scope it out a little more.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
Petition No. P00011/13 has been withdrawn by the petitioner.
Petition No. P00012/13 is deemed inadmissible. The text of this petition should not be published as the petitioner is naming a firm of solicitors and it has been deemed inadmissible.
I propose that the joint committee stand adjourned until 4 p.m. next Wednesday, 24 April 2013.
I ask that my apologies be passed on to the committee.
No problem. I thank the Senator.
The joint committee adjourned at 5.15 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, 24 April 2013.