3 DFómh 2011, 14:10
A delegation of four members of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions will undertake a study visit to the Scottish Parliament tomorrow 4th October to be briefed on the Parliament’s public petitions system and the work of the Public Petitions Committee.
In implementing its remit in formulating a petitions system for the Houses of the Oireachtas, the Committee received a presentation from David Lowe, Head of the European Parliament Petitions Committee, in Leinster House in mid-September.
Cathaoirleach of the Committee, Peadar Tóibín TD, said: “The petitions system in the Scottish Parliament is widely regarded as one of the success stories of the Parliament and has an enviable reputation world wide in giving people a truly democratic voice in Scotland. The Parliament also leads the way in using modern petitioning techniques through its electronic petitioning system.
In formulating proposals for a petitions system in the Houses of the Oireachtas, which would enhance the public’s involvement in the democratic process, our Committee wishes to emulate best practice from other parliaments. In this context the Committee decided to visit the Scottish Parliament to get a comprehensive briefing on the petitions system and to meet with the Public Petitions Committee in order to deepen our understanding of the work of the Committee in considering and taking action on petitions addressed to the Parliament. This will inform our deliberations and resulting proposals for a petitions system in the Oireachtas.”
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Note to Editors
1. The programme for the study visit to the Scottish Parliament is attached.
2. The members of the delegation are: Deputies Peadar Tóibín (Cathaoirleach), Michael McCarthy (Vice-Chairman) Derek Nolan and Peter Matthews.
3. The Committee invited the Head of the European Parliament's Petitions Committee to brief it on the European Parliament’s petitions system at its meeting on 21st September.
Joint Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions
Tuesday 4th October 2011
Study visit to the Scottish Parliament
Outline Programme
9.45am Arrive Scottish Parliament, Public Entrance
Met by Anne Peat, Clerk to the Public Petitions Committee
9.50am Tour of the Parliament building
Parliament tour guide
10.40am Coffee
10.55am Observe meetings of Education and Culture Committee and Health and Sport Committee
11.30am Briefing on the work of the Public Petition’s Committee (meeting with members of the Public Petitions Committee and the Clerk)
Committee Room 3
12.30pm Lunch
2.00pm Attend meeting in formal session of the Public Petitions Committee
Committee Room 2
5.00 pm Depart Scottish Parliament for airport
Members of the Public Petition’s Committee
David Stewart (Convener)
Sandra White (Deputy Convener)
Neil Bibby
Mark McDonald
Nanette Milne
Bill Walker
John Wilson
Substitute Members
Malcolm Chisholm
Kevin Stewart
Oireachtas Joint Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions
Committee Membership
Membership
Dara Calleary, TD
Joan Collins, TD
Michael Conaghan, TD
Alan Farrell, TD
Charles Flanagan, TD
Michael Healy-Rae, TD
Peter Mathews, TD
Michael McCarthy, TD
Charlie McConalogue, TD
Michelle Mulherin, TD
Derek Nolan, TD
Aengus Ó Snodaigh, TD
John Paul Phelan, TD
Peadar Tóibín, TD
Mick Wallace, TD
Senators
Trevor Ó Clochartaigh,
Jimmy Harte,
Tony Mulcahy,
Darragh O’Brien,
Susan O Keeffe.