Committees

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 Companies Administration and Rescue Process

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

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

• Michael McGrath, Minister for Finance

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

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

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

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

Stability Programme Update.

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

Deprivation of liberty

• Professor Gautam Gulati, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist and Adjunct Clinical Full Professor, University of Limerick
• Representatives from Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC), Dr Rosaleen McDonagh, Commissioner & Adam Harris, Commissioner

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

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