Joint Committee on Public Petitions to meet for first time

Chairman Deputy Martin Browne will give a brief introduction and the Committee will then consider the election of a Vice-Chair. The meeting will then go into private session to discuss the business of the Committee, including a review of its terms of reference.

Deputy Browne said: “The Joint Committee’s remit involves the consideration of Public Petitions by individuals or organisations, and any other matters that may be referred to it by the Houses of the Oireachtas. The committee also has the right to examine matters of general public concern or interest or issues of public policy and consider reports of Ombudsmen.

“The Dáil and Seanad have asked the committee to review its terms of reference and to report within three months. The Committee looks forward to our first meeting where we can begin that process of review and also consider other matters, including the election of a Vice-Chair.”

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 Committee Room 2 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.