Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Leinster House Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland

How does the new public petitions system work?

The new system will allow citizens to get their issues “into the centre of parliament” – here’s more on how it works.

A NEW PUBLIC petitions system for the Oireachtas is to be launched today – and now a video has been released to explain more about what it involves.

The system will allow members of the public to take their concerns about policy to the Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions.

Peadar Tóibín TD explains more about the public petitions system in the video. He describes the move as a “major new innovation in parliamentary democracy in Ireland”, and says that it is the

“first time in the 93-year history of the Oireachtas” that citizens will get an opportunity to get their issues into the centre of parliament in Ireland without it being filtered by politicians.

What it involves

The petitions system is for people who are having difficulty with public service provision:

  • You can fill out petition online or in hard copy
  • Submit it to the Oireachtas
  • Most petitions will be admissible, but there are some terms and conditions
  • If the petition is admissible, it will be considered by the Oireachtas committee

What can the Oireachtas do?

  • It can invite in the petitioner to give evidence on the petition
  • If necessary it can invite in all the other relevant parties to seek evidence
  • It can hold an investigation on that issue
  • If necessary it can see that the issue is publicly debated
  • It has the power to call in civil servants, ministers, and organisations to give accounts over how public service is being delivered

Tóibín described it as a “very powerful committee” and said that “for the first time it will allow these issues of public service delivery to be seen through the lens of the citizens themselves”.

(oireachtasfilm/YouTube)

Read: Petitions system to allow public to ‘set parliamentary agenda’>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
17 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Simon Eales
    Favourite Simon Eales
    Report
    Apr 18th 2023, 7:17 PM

    I know this is a copy and paste from Press Association but please, Journal.ie, the name Derry is just fine.Your Irish readers don’t need to see the “official” name in the first paragraph.

    90
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute johnbrady
    Favourite johnbrady
    Report
    Apr 18th 2023, 7:44 PM

    Londonderry?

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Barry
    Favourite Pat Barry
    Report
    Apr 18th 2023, 8:11 PM

    @johnbrady: NI budget bigger than our’s so I think they’re entitled to that moniker.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Johnson
    Favourite Joe Johnson
    Report
    Apr 18th 2023, 8:36 PM

    Nobody is going to push the DUP in into anything , they can say NO all on their own.

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paulco
    Favourite Paulco
    Report
    Apr 18th 2023, 8:55 PM

    They are nothing but a bunch of Drama Queens !!

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richard Ahern
    Favourite Richard Ahern
    Report
    Apr 18th 2023, 8:34 PM

    No, simply calling it Derry is not fine. Both sides need recognition so it’s Londonderry, Derry/Londonderry, L/Derry, Stroke City or something similar. Really annoying when rte refer to it only as Derry without also mentioning the correct official name of Londonderry.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan McGowan
    Favourite Brendan McGowan
    Report
    Apr 18th 2023, 9:38 PM

    @Richard Ahern: It’s almost as annoying as someone using rte instead of RTÉ, Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the correct official name of the broadcaster. Fadas matter!

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Burke
    Favourite Kevin Burke
    Report
    Apr 19th 2023, 2:13 AM

    @Richard Ahern: strange thing to let annoy you

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute GERARD KENNELLY
    Favourite GERARD KENNELLY
    Report
    Apr 19th 2023, 5:10 AM

    Juanita Broaddrick
    Leslie Millwee
    Paula Jones
    Kathleen Willey
    Cristy Zercher
    Eileen Wellstone
    Sandra Allen James
    Karen Hinton

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe x
    Favourite Joe x
    Report
    Apr 18th 2023, 9:27 PM

    Looks like some one too k

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe x
    Favourite Joe x
    Report
    Apr 18th 2023, 9:32 PM

    @Joe x: looks like someone took offence to my suggestion of holding back salaries until Stormobt is reestablished and they are doing the jobs they are elected to do…..represent their constituents

    24
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds