The committee is now in public session and we have a quorum. Apologies have been received from Deputy Cleere. We will now go into private session to deal with housekeeping matters.
Gnó an Chomhchoiste – Business of Joint Committee
Chuaigh an comhchoiste isteach i seisiún príobháideach ar 12.35 p.m. agus cuireadh tús leis arís i seisiún poiblí ar 12.47 p.m.
The joint committee went into private session at 12.35 p.m. and resumed in public session at 12.47 p.m.
I welcome everyone to the public session of our meeting. I have to read some formal notices members will be more than familiar with. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the place where Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting.
I propose that the petitions considered by our committee at this meeting and previous meetings will be published and that the replies from the Department and other bodies will also be published. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Before we go into the petitions to be discussed, I offer on behalf of the committee our very sincere condolences to the Carroll family on the passing of one of our ushers, Seamus Carroll, who died yesterday. He was a man who we know filled this place with happiness - and more than a little bit of divilment, it has to be said. He will be very sorely missed. May he rest in peace. I offer condolences to the Carroll family on behalf of our entire committee. Is that agreed?
Agreed.
I agree. Not many people can be both professional and pleasant and he was both all the time.
Yes.
A living legend. Always had a funny smile, always had you in good form and always into divilment. He was looking forward to a good retirement and a happy life but unfortunately life can be cruel. It is nice to acknowledge him.
It can be and we are thinking about his poor family today.
Absolutely.
I know every member of this committee will mourn his passing. We send our love, our solidarity and our condolences directly to the family.
Deputy Smith, le do thoil.
A Chathaoirligh, I join you and our colleagues in extending sincere sympathies to Seamus's wife Treasa and family.
Seamus was always so hospitable and friendly and always had a kind and friendly word. In regard to visitors to this House, who he brought on tours and met up with, he always showed an interest in people who were visiting. I often recall people saying, "We met that lovely man and he was so pleasant in taking us around the House and so welcoming". Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.
We will be thinking about him today and in the coming days.
Before we consider our first petition, I call on Deputy Brendan Smith, who has made a very important suggestion.
Last week, we had a very good engagement with the Ombudsman. Generally, we have the Ombudsman before us following the publication of his annual report. Perhaps we might have a meeting with the Ombudsman every six months. It was very good engagement. His office does excellent work. It is a matter of us being able to amplify the importance and value of that particular office for people who feel aggrieved at being let down by the system. He brought great clarity to a number of issues that concern us every day of the week in our representational role, so could we consider having engagement twice a year with Mr. Deering if that is possible? I will leave the suggestion with the Cathaoirleach.
That is a very good suggestion. Several people have told me how forthcoming the Ombudsman was in terms of his time and information. We all deal with his office and we know how valuable it is but we will definitely look to do that because it was a very good engagement that was appreciated by members but also by members of the public. That is our job here, so that is a great suggestion and we will take that on board.