Leinster House Committee Reviews Thatch Insurance And Seanad Reform

Joint Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen Meets

On Tuesday, 14th July 2026, the Joint Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen convened at Leinster House under the chairmanship of Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Louise O'Reilly. The proceedings, scheduled to commence at 18:30 in Committee Room 1, were divided into two distinct sessions to address a range of critical national issues.

The first session focused on Public Petition No. P00010/25, which calls for the reform of insurance coverage specifically for thatched heritage properties. This petition seeks engagement with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage alongside the Department of Finance to ensure these unique assets receive adequate protection.

The second session was dedicated to considering several further petitions. These included Public Petition No. P00022/25 concerning reforms to Seanad Éireann, the legislation for amending the Credit Union Act (P00051/25), and a plea to place sepsis management and awareness on the agenda for Ireland's EU Presidency in July 2026 (P00070/25). Additionally, the committee reviewed Public Petition No. P00012/26 regarding the reform of foreign birth registration and citizenship transmission provisions.

Members of the public can follow these proceedings live via the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for both Apple and Android devices. For further information on the work of the committee, media enquiries should be directed to Stephen Higgins at the Houses of the Oireachtas Communications Unit in Dublin 2.

Key Petitions Under Review

• P00010/25: Insurance reform for thatched heritage properties.
• P00022/25: Structural reforms to Seanad Éireann.
• P00051/25: Amendments to the Credit Union Act.
• P00070/25: National agenda for sepsis management ahead of the EU Presidency.
• P00012/26: Updates to foreign birth registration and citizenship laws.