Joint Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen to discuss Ombudsman for Children’s 2022 Annual Report ‘Falling Behind’

The meeting at 1.30pm in Committee Room 4 of Leinster House will hear from Dr Muldoon and his colleagues, Ms Nuala Ward, Director of Investigations; and Mr Páraic Walsh, Investigator.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Martin Browne said: “The Office of the Children’s Ombudsman is an independent statutory body with responsibility for dealing with complaints made by, or for, children about the actions of public organisations, and promoting the rights and welfare of children under 18 living in Ireland.

“The Committee welcomes this opportunity to meet with Dr Muldoon and Ms Ward and we look forward to discussing his 2022 report ‘Falling Behind’, which sets out that on many issues Ireland is starting to fall behind on children’s rights, and related matters.”

The Committee will also consider the following petitions:

• Public Petition Number P00033/21 ‘Call for a Citizens Assembly on the Irish Justice system; Policing, Crime and Rehabilitation’ (resumed);
• Public Petition Number P00002/24 ‘Fairness for Existing Work Permit Holders: We want to stay and contribute’ (resumed);
• Public Petition Number P00033/24 ‘Toxic fumes on Aer Lingus flights – Severe and increasing danger to public health and safety – Urgent’;
• Public Petition Number P00039/24 ‘Urging the Ombudsman and Workplace Relations Commission to Improve Their Own Accessibility Standards’.

The Joint Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen 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 the Committee Room 4 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.