Paul Hosford: Petitions committee a good place to see what's on Irish people's minds

The petitions system allows any individual to fill in a form on the Oireachtas website and submit it to the committee for consideration

The petitions system has largely been a mixed bag and recently included one calling for March 27, when Ireland met Czechia in a hugely anticipated, but ill-fated World Cup qualifying play-off, to be declared a bank holiday. Photo: INPHO

Back in 2012, amid a fervour of political reform talk, renewed civic involvement, and a new energy (to borrow a phrase) in Irish political life, a move was made.

The then-named Joint Committee on Public Service and Petitions promised to allow the public to "set the agenda" of the political system by allowing members of the public to submit petitions, which would be considered by the committee.