Padraig MacLochlainn TD has been elected Chair of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions.
Speaking after his election, Sinn Fein’s Deputy Mac Lochlainn thanked his colleagues on the Committee for electing him Chairman.
“I expect the Committee will continue working collaboratively and productively across party lines to hold our government departments and public bodies to account for the services they provide to the public. I hope to lead the Committee in becoming a robust champion on behalf of the citizens we serve.
“I wish to pay tribute to the outgoing Cathaoirleach Peadar Tóibín TD, whose careful stewardship and commitment led to the launch of a new petitions system in September. This is a significant innovation, in that for the first time in the 93 year history of the Oireachtas, citizens now have a direct route to influence the parliamentary agenda. We have since received a steady flow of petitions from individuals and groups around the country, on a wide variety of topics.
“An empowering feature of the petitions system is that it is open and accessible to every single citizen. And history proves it often takes the resolve of just one or two civic minded people to make a stand and effect substantial change.
The petitions system, working to its full potential, can make the parliamentary system more accessible and more participative,” he said.
“I would argue that, contrary to much public commentary, our parliamentary process is already relatively open. With Leinster House receiving over 100,000 visitors a year, Irish people know well how consequential to their lives the business of the Oireachtas is. We can watch every minute of Oireachtas business live and read the record of the parliament online. Our Committee will help channel the appetite of Irish people for public engagement in a structured and meaningful way.
“Another important feature of our work is the engagement with the various Ombudsmen. In December, our Committee heard a forceful and candid contribution from Emily O’Reilly which criticised the Department of Health for not implementing recommendations by her office.
“We as a committee will use the full extent of the power at our disposal to ensure that there is full compliance with the law and that citizens’ rights are vindicated. We look forward to engaging with the Minister for Health James Reilly TD at our next meeting on 6 February.”