Committee schedule

Pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024

• Representatives from Simon Communities of Ireland, Focus Ireland, Threshold and Community Law and Mediation
• Officials from Dept. of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Minutes of the meeting of 10 April 2024

Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals: Schedule A: Com (2024) 27 on White Paper options for enhancing support for research and development involving technologies with dual-use potential

• Officials from Dept. of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

A Roundtable Discussion to Review the European Year of Skill 2023

• National Learning Network
• Skillnet Ireland
• Eurofound
• Worldskills

Discussion on the findings of Ireland's Climate Change Assessment Report

• Authors of Ireland's Climate Change Assessment (ICCA) Report

Discussion on the views of Children on Ireland’s international obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and emerging issues for children in Ireland including AI.

• Representatives from Youth Advisory Panel to the Ombudsman for Children, AilÍs Malone, Alicia Kellet, Bel Nabulele, Ciaran Smith, Esther Tamardoe, Faith Langdon, Luke Fagan, Mia Harding, Princess Ogumefu, Rachel Fleming, Sienna Shackleton, Sinead Murray, Toby Murphy, Karolina Byrne.
• Representatives from Office of the Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman, Ms Aoife McNamara, Acting Head of Participation and Rights Education, Ms Aoife Carragher, Head of Communications, and
• Representatives from Office of the Ombudsman for Children, Ms Alice Kiernan, Communications and Social Media Officer, Ms Chinwe Kelly, Administrative Officer, and Mr Thomas Olver, Participation and Rights Education Officer.

Engagement with representatives from the Irish Emergency Alliance to discuss the work of their organisation

Motion on Proposed approval by Dáil and Seanad Éireann of the proposal for Regulations and a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on international protection, asylum and migration

Minutes of the meeting of 16th and 17th April 2024

The measures needed to improve health services and supports for persons who are blind or vision-impaired

• Representatives from Vision Ireland

The health services necessary and available for persons with lung fibrosis

• Representatives from Irish Lung Fibrosis Association

The Impact of Means Testing on the Social Welfare System

• Representatives from University College Cork, Dr. Fiona Dukelow
• Representatives from Trinity College Dublin, Dr. Joe Whelan
• Representatives from University College Cork, Dr. Tom Boland
• Representatives from South East Technological University, Dr. Ray Griffin

The 50th Anniversary of Guaranteed Irish

• Representatives from Guaranteed Irish

Seisiún 1: Éileamh don Ghaelscolaíocht nach bhfuil á shásamh ag an Stát

• Ionadaithe ón bhForas Pátrúnachta, ó Chonradh na Gaeilge; agus ó Ghaeloideachas

Seisiún 2: Éileamh don Ghaelscolaíocht nach bhfuil á shásamh ag an Stát

• Ionadaithe ó na feachtais chun Gaelcholáiste a bhunú i gCaisleán an Bharraigh, Contae Mhaigh Eo; Cloch na gCoillte, Contae Chorcaí; Cill Dhéagláin, Contae na Mí; agus An Tulach Mhór, Contae Uíbh Fháilí

To discuss issues relating to road safety.

• Representatives from Road Safety Authority (RSA)

Discuss issues affecting Driver Testers

• Representatives from Fórsa Trade Union

Governance and Culture issues at RTÉ

• Representatives from Unite the Union
• Representatives from SIPTU
• Representatives from Connect
• Representatives from the National Union of Journalists

2024 Revised Estimates for Public Services - Vote 1 (President's Establishment), Vote 2 (Department of the Taoiseach), Vote 3 (Office of the Attorney General), Vote 5 (Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions), Vote 6 (Office of the Chief State Solicitor)

• Simon Harris, Taoiseach

Further Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals: COM(2023)770 on Proposal on the protection of animals during transport and related operations (resumed)

• Officials from Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

UNCRPD at a local level – justice’.

• Representatives from The Courts Service, Angela Denning, Chief Executive Officer & Tom Ward, Assistant Secretary, Superior Courts Operations Directorate
• Representatives from An Garda Síochána, Padraic Jones, Chief Superintendent, Garda National Community Engagement Bureau, Seán Fallon, Superintendent & Pauline Glennon, Sergeant

Financial Statements 2022 Inland Fisheries Ireland

• Representatives from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI)
• Officials from Dept. of Environment, Climate and Communications

Minutes of the meeting of 18 April 2024

Accounts and Statements

Correspondence

Consideration of Draft Committee work programme

Any Other Business

Public Hearings on the Future of Local Democracy: Session 1, 10:30am-12:30pm - Cathaoirligh and Members of Local Authorities

• Cathaoirligh of Local Authorities: Lord Mayor Daithí de Róíste (Lord Mayor of Dublin), Cllr Eva Dowling (Leas-Chathaoirleach, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council), Cllr Adrian Henchy (Mayor of Fingal), Cllr Alan Edge (Mayor of South Dublin County)
• Members of Local Authorities: Cllr Dermot Lacey, Cllr Michael Clark, Cllr Anne Colgan, Cllr Deirdre Donnelly, Cllr Barry Saul, Cllr Mark Lynch, Cllr Lyn Hagin Meade, Cllr Guss O'Connell, Cllr Joanna Tuffy

Public Hearings on the Future of Local Democracy: Session 2, 1:30pm-4:30pm - Cathaoirligh and Members of Local Authorities, Representative Organisations and Members of the Public

• Representative Organisations: Representatives of Fórsa, PPN Secretariat Network, Irish Delegation to the Committee of the Regions, and Association of Irish Regions
• Cathaoirligh and Members of Local Authorities (deferred): Cllr John Keogh (Cathaoirleach, Roscommon County Council), Cllr Tony Fitzgerald, Cllr Peter Flynn
• Members of the Public: Mr Harry Deane, Mr Peter Horgan, Mr Walter Lacey, Mr Seán O Grady

Approval of the minutes of previous meetings

Public Petition No. P00021/22 “Kiltimagh Water Scheme” from Mr Thomas Carney

• Representatives from Kiltimagh Cleragh/Lisduff Group Water Scheme, Mr Thomas Carney, Petitioner and Campaigner; and Mr Alan Ivers, Campaigner

Public Petition No. P00021/22 “Kiltimagh Water Scheme” from Mr Thomas Carney (resumed)

• Officials from Dept. of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Mr Douglas Kelly, Principal Officer and Mr Luke Varley, Assistant Principal Officer, Rural Water Unit
• Representatives from Mayo County Council, Mr John Condon, Director of Services; Mr Michael McDermot, Senior Executive Engineer and Ms Bernadette Bourke, Executive Engineer, Rural Water Program
• Representatives from Uisce Éireann, Mr Des Joyce, Water Treatment Asset Planning Manager, Mr Dermot Phelan, Connections Delivery Manager

Consideration of Public Petition Number P00036/21 “Reform of Insurance for Thatched Heritage Buildings” (resumed)

Consideration of Public Petition Number P00006/22 “Bye/By Elections in Ireland may comply with legislation however they do not comply with the Constitution” (resumed)

Consideration of Public Petition Number P00049/23 “Extra Time to be introduced as a Reasonable Accommodation for Dyslexic Students in State Examinations (Junior Cycle & Leaving Certificate)” (resumed)

Any other business

Minutes of the meeting of 23rd April 2024

Review of the European Year of Skills 2023 (resumed)

• Solas
• Officials from Dept. of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Engagement on the current state of play in relation to the Circular Economy following on from the signing into law of the Circular Economy Act in 2022

• Ossian Smyth, Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications

Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2024

• Darragh O'Brien, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Engagement with Ms Nuala Egan, Chairperson Designate, Legal Aid Board

Motion on Proposed approval by Dáil and Seanad Éireann of the proposal for Regulations and a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on international protection, asylum and migration (resumed)

• Representatives from Nasc, the Migrant and Refugee Rights Centre
• David Leonard BL
• Representatives from Irish Refugee Council
• Representatives from Migrant Rights Centre Ireland
• Representatives from UNHCR Ireland
• Officials from Dept. of Justice

Engagement on Our Rural Future and the implementation of Town Centre First Policies

• Officials from Dept. of Rural and Community Development
• Representatives from Roscommon County Council
• Representatives from The Heritage Council

The role and operation of the Health and Safety Authority

• Representatives from Health and Safety Authority

Minutes of the meeting of 23rd and 24th April 2024

Update on the challenges facing the provision of dentistry services

• Representatives from the Irish Dental Association
• Representatives from the Dental Council

Discussion of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and EU implementation of the SDG’s.

• Mr David Donoghue
• Ms Meaghan Carmody, Coordinator of Coalition 2030
• Ms Attracta Uí Bhríon, Irish Council Member for the European Environmental Bureau affiliated to Coalition 2030 members
• Ms Bríd McGrath, Director of Public Affairs, Oxfam

Pleanáil Teanga lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht

• le hOifigeach Pleanála Teanga Iarthar Bhéal Feirste
• le hionadaithe ó Choiste Forbartha Charn Tóchair, Co. Dhoire
• le hOifigeach Pleanála Teanga Chluain Dolcáin, Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath
• le hOifigeach Pleanála Teanga Bhaile Locha Riach, Co. na Gaillimhe
• le hionadaithe ón eagraíocht Cill Dara le Gaeilge
• le ionadaithe ón eagraíocht An Clár as Gaeilge
• le hionadaithe ón eagraíocht Gael-Taca

Discussion on Issues Related to Defective Concrete Blocks

• Representatives from Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland
• Representatives from Insurance Ireland
• Representatives from Engineers Ireland

Committee Stage consideration of the Future Ireland Fund and Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund Bill 2024

• Michael McGrath, Minister for Finance

UNCRPD at a local level – employment

• Representatives from SOLAS, Roisin Doherty, Director & Ivica Milicevic, Manager, Learner Support
• Representatives from the Public Appointments Service (PAS), Margaret McCabe, Chief Executive Officer, Aoife Lyons, Senior Psychologist & Siobhán McKenna, Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
• Representatives from the Workplace Relations Commission , Audrey Cahill, Director General, Gwendolen Morgan, Registrar & Derval Monahan, Director of Corporate Services

Horse welfare concerns and compliance with legislation

• Representatives from County and city Management Association (CCMA)

Areas of particular interest include: BusConnects, the purchase of buses for companies that are providing public transport services, the provision of bus stops and bus shelters and Active Travel Investment Programme.

Minutes of the meeting of 25 April 2024

Accounts and Statements

Correspondence

Consideration of Draft Committee work programme

Any other business

Discussion on the all-island economy (resumed)

• Professor John FitzGerald, Adjunct Professor, Trinity College Dublin
• Professor Edgar Morgenroth, Professor of Economics, Dublin City University

A discussion on the Small Company’s Administration and Rescue Process

• Officials from Dept. of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
• Representatives from The Office of Revenue Commissioners

Minutes of the meeting of 30th April and 1st May 2024

The implementation of the Sláintecare reforms.

• Officials from Dept. of Health
• Representatives from Health Service Executive

Draft WHO Treaty to strengthen pandemic preparedness

• Officials from Dept. of Health

Discussion marking the 20-year Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement

• Mr Bertie Ahern

Discussion on Issues Related to Defective Concrete Blocks (resumed)

• Officials from Dept. of Finance
• Officials from Dept. of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
• Representatives from Central Bank of Ireland

To discuss the challenges facing the bus and coach industry.

• Representatives from Dublin Bus
• Representatives from Go-Ahead Ireland
• Representatives from Bus Éireann
• Representatives from Coach Tourism and Transport Council of Ireland (CTTC)

Pleanáil Teanga lastigh den Ghaeltacht le hionadaithe ó: -

• Ciarraí Theas
• Oileán Chléire
• Oirthear Chathair na Gaillimhe
• Na Déise
• An Eachréidh
• Dún na nGall Theas
• Ráth Chairn Baile Ghib
• Dúiche Sheoigeach Tuar Mhic Éadaigh

Aon Ghnó Eile

Committee Stage consideration of the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024

• Heather Humphreys, Minister for Social Protection; and Rural and Community Development

VAT refunds to unregistered farmers

• Representatives from The Office of the Revenue Commissioners

Ireland’s Forest Strategy Implementation Plan

• Officials from Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Deprivation of liberty

• Professor Gautam Gulati, Consultant Forensic/General Psychiatrist and Adjunct Associate Clinical Professor, University of Limerick
• Professor Eilionóir Flynn, School of Law and Director of the Centre for Disability Law and Policy (CDLP), University of Galway
• Representatives from Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC), Dr Rosaleen McDonagh, Member & Adam Harris, Member

Stability Programme Update.

• Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform
• Michael McGrath, Minister for Finance

Areas of particular interest include: governance and associated due diligence of the university’s purchase of the Limerick city centre site in 2019 and the purchase of a number of houses for student accommodation in Rhebogue.

Minutes of the meeting of 2 May 2024

Accounts and Statements

Correspondence

Consideration of Draft Committee work programme

Any other business

Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting

Ombudsman for Children’s Annual Report and other related matters 2022

• Representatives from Office of the Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children; Ms Nuala Ward, Director of Investigations; and Mr Páraic Walsh, Investigator

Consideration of Public Petition Number P00033/21 “Call for a Citizens Assembly on the Irish Justice system; Policing, Crime and Rehabilitation” (resumed)

Consideration of Public Petition Number P00002/24 “Fairness for Existing Work Permit Holders: We want to stay and contribute” (resumed)

Consideration of Public Petition Number P00033/24 “Toxic fumes on Aer Lingus flights - Severe and increasing danger to public health and safety - Urgent”

Consideration of Public Petition Number P00039/24 “Urging the Ombudsman and Workplace Relations Commission to Improve Their Own Accessibility Standards”

Any other business