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Dáil

Mineral Oil Tax: Financial Resolution

The Government proposed extending temporary mineral oil tax reductions on petrol, diesel and marked gas oil until 31 October 2026, postponing their phased restoration and citing volatile international energy markets. It estimated the total Exchequer cost of the measures at €407 million and defended them as short-term relief alongside longer-term investment in energy independence. Opposition speakers broadly supported immediate relief but criticised the proposal as a temporary postponement, calling for fuel-tax increases to be suspended while prices remained high and for more targeted cost-of-living supports. Sinn Féin moved an amendment to remove the scheduled future increases; the question on that amendment was put at the close of the 60-minute sitting.
Dáil

Gnó na Dála - Business of Dáil

The Government proposed limiting the financial resolution debate to 60 minutes, with set speaking allocations and immediate votes. Opposition deputies condemned the restriction amid the cost-of-living crisis, while the Government said the motion would prevent planned petrol and diesel excise increases and provide certainty; the proposed arrangements stood.
Enacted

Insurance (Disregard of Certain Medical History and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025

It would stop insurers from treating a past cancer diagnosis against someone when they apply for mortgage protection insurance on their main home, as long as they are within the cover limits set out in the law. It would also set the maximum amount of cover where this “right to be forgotten” applies, so survivors are not unfairly pushed into worse terms or turned away. Alongside that, it would update older insurance laws on winding up insurers and on payments into the Insurance Compensation Fund.
Enacted

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2026

Aiming to smooth the switch to Ireland’s new planning system, this measure updates how development plans, regional strategies and local area plans are made and timed, including a move to 10-year city and county plans and clearer rules for key towns. It also speeds up planning appeals and judicial reviews, makes it easier to progress major infrastructure and apartment projects, and tidies up environmental assessment rules and other technical issues. Separately, it raises the Housing Finance Agency’s borrowing limit from €13.5 billion to €15 billion so it can support more housing finance.
Enacted

Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026

A wide-ranging justice and public safety package, this measure would change several criminal and civil law rules at once. It would let prison officers use incapacitant spray in approved circumstances, allow Gardaí to arrest some extradition cases without a warrant, broaden community service orders, tighten handling of counselling records in sexual offence cases, update DNA rules for missing-person cases, create new offences for offering housing in return for sex, and put outdoor seating for pubs on a permanent footing. It also makes a series of smaller changes to court administration, citizenship proof, bail, anti-social behaviour orders, and other justice procedures.
Enacted

Health (Provision of Contraception Prescribing Service in Retail Pharmacy Businesses) Bill 2026

The measure would let certain retail pharmacies offer a new prescription service for contraception, so registered pharmacists could issue prescriptions for specified contraceptive medicines and products under agreed clinical rules. It would also extend the Free Contraception Scheme to this pharmacy service, so eligible women could get it free, while also allowing private patients aged 17 to 55 who are not eligible for the scheme to use it for a fee. It matters because it should make renewing contraception prescriptions quicker, more convenient, and cheaper for many people.
Enacted

Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026

Ireland would create a national AI regulator called Oifig IS na hÉireann, and set out how it would oversee artificial intelligence under the EU’s new AI rules. It would give the office powers to coordinate regulators, keep an AI register, run sandboxes for testing new systems, handle complaints, and work on data protection and information sharing. It also sets out how breaches can be investigated, stopped, penalised and appealed, and updates existing laws so the Central Bank, the communications regulator and the consumer watchdog can help enforce the rules.
Dáil

Departmental Funding

LEADER funding totals €250 million for 2021-2027, with Local Action Group project approvals by category and county published online.
Dáil

Departmental Priorities

Social enterprises in Louth can access supports through the LDC network, Dormant Accounts Fund, SICAP, LEADER, the Community Services Programme, Town and Village Renewal Scheme, Local Enterprise Offices and Department of Social Protection schemes. The Minister also highlighted procurement supports and the National Enterprise Hub, with applications for a new CSP intake under assessment.
Enacted

Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2026

The bill would ban goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory from being imported into Ireland, and make doing so an offence under customs law. It also lets the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade name the relevant postal codes, with some goods from mixed-area postcodes able to be checked for exemption if they are proven to come from the Israeli part. It matters because it is meant to align Irish trade rules with international legal obligations and to back enforcement through customs powers, searches, seizures and appeals.
Enacted

Finance Bill 2026

Finance Bill 2026 changes a few fuel taxes and delays planned tax increases. It raises the diesel rebate for qualifying road hauliers for the first half of 2026, keeps some fuel tax cuts in place for longer, and pushes back rises in carbon taxes on fuels, natural gas and solid fuels until mid-October 2026. In practice, it is meant to ease costs for transport operators, motorists and households using heating fuel or gas, while the Government still plans those tax increases later.
Enacted

Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025

The main change is to ban the sale of single-use vapes in Ireland, whether or not they contain nicotine. It gives officials powers to enforce the ban, sets out penalties for breaking it, and creates a short six-month grace period after the law starts before the ban fully applies.
Enacted

National Treasury Management Agency (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026

The measure winds up NAMA and transfers its remaining property, contracts, debts, claims, records and legal responsibilities to the National Treasury Management Agency, so the unfinished work can be brought to a close. It also creates a legal route for any leftover Irish Bank Resolution Corporation liquidation matters to move to the NTMA or one of its subsidiaries, while updating the NTMA’s powers to deal with those assets, make payments, use information, and continue court cases without disruption. It matters because it clears away the last traces of the financial crisis-era bodies and gives one agency the tools to finish the job.
Dáil

Fiscal Implications of a United Ireland: Statements (Resumed)

The Minister of State backed Irish unity in principle, stressing that it must be consensual, inclusive and carefully planned, with unanswered fiscal questions on services, taxes and pensions requiring transparent preparation.
Dáil

Fiscal Implications of a United Ireland: Statements

The statements focused on the fiscal implications of Irish unity, with broad agreement that the issue should be examined through evidence, planning and respect for the Good Friday Agreement and the principle of consent. The Minister for Finance argued that no single headline cost can capture the complexity, noting studies range from a modest initial deficit to much higher estimates, but also stressing that unity could create major long-term economic gains through a larger all-island market, EU access and better infrastructure. Opposition and Government speakers largely backed this framing, saying partition itself has imposed real economic costs and that preparations should begin now for health, pensions, taxation, transport, education and public services. The overall position was that reunification would involve significant upfront costs, but also substantial opportunities that must be assessed honestly and in detail.
Seanad

Development (Strategic Gas Reserve) Bill 2026: Committee and Remaining Stages

Senators sought to tighten the Strategic Gas Reserve Bill with amendments defining “emergency,” limiting use to genuine last-resort supply disruptions, adding a sunset clause and annual reporting, blocking fracked gas imports, and keeping ownership and operation fully public. They argued the measure risks becoming a de facto LNG import facility, undermines climate law and could normalise fossil fuel use beyond emergencies. The Minister of State rejected the amendments, saying the reserve is a temporary, State-controlled backup for a rupture in gas supply, not a market play, and that further legislation will cover operational details later. He said the Government remains committed to the transition away from fossil fuels while keeping security of supply.
Dáil

Aer Lingus job cuts

Deputy Conway-Walsh raised the planned loss of up to 500 jobs at Aer Lingus and sought guarantees on workers' rights. The Tánaiste said the Government was aware of the announcement and noted that consultation with employees and representatives was due to begin.
Dáil

Middle-income tax relief

Deputy Aird called for budget measures to help middle-income families with childcare, housing and rising taxes. The Tánaiste agreed many households work hard yet struggle to get ahead.
Dáil

Aughinish Alumina and Russia

Cian O'Callaghan accused the Government of fudging the Aughinish Alumina report and allowing exports that may feed Russia’s war machine. The Tánaiste restated Ireland’s support for Ukraine and argued the facts should first be established and sent to the European Commission.
Dáil

Defence Forces

The Minister reported modest recruitment growth to 7,823 personnel, 289 inductions so far in 2025 and 16,510 applications, while pledging further investment in housing, pensions, equipment and infrastructure, including the Curragh.
Dáil

Tribunals of Inquiry

Concerns were raised that Women of Honour giving evidence to the Defence Forces tribunal lack adequate trauma-informed support, and the Minister committed to urgent re-engagement with the HSE to strengthen tailored counselling and access.
Seanad

Welcome to Leryn Stephenson

The Chair welcomed Leryn Stephenson to the Gallery, and Senator Conway also welcomed her while thanking staff and inviting colleagues to visit Clare.
Dáil

Industrial Relations

Minister of State Michael Moynihan defended the new special needs assistant workforce development plan, noted Fórsa’s rejection, and said the Department remains committed to further constructive engagement rather than reversing the plan.
Enacted

Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2024

The measure would move Microfinance Ireland out from under the Social Finance Foundation and place it under the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. It also sets up a new board and chief executive for the organisation, makes room for pension arrangements for its staff, and cleans up older rules so they match the new ownership and management structure. In practical terms, it changes who controls the small-business loan provider and how it is run.
Current

Industrial Development (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2026

The proposed changes would give IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland more flexibility to support companies, including bigger grants for environmental projects and technology purchases, help with consultancy advice, and the ability to set up joint property companies with partners. It also updates rules on dangerous substances, broadens support for defence and security-related enterprise work, and makes smaller changes to workplace board appointments, chemicals law, and freedom of information rules.
Current

Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026

The measure tightens rules on nicotine products, especially vapes and similar items, by controlling how they look and are packaged, limiting the flavour names they can use, and restricting where they can be advertised or displayed. It also makes it an offence to sell nicotine consumption products to children, extends enforcement powers to cover these products, and adds stronger tools for inspections, notices, seizures and penalties.
Seanad

Home care support delay

Senator Tully described a Cavan woman's difficulty getting home care support despite disability and a shoulder injury, leaving her dependent on family assistance.
Seanad

Warmer homes scheme delay

Senator Byrne described a constituent's long wait for a SEAI warmer homes scheme inspection and support for home energy upgrades.
Seanad

National lottery betting ban

Senator Fitzpatrick raised the national lottery's call for an outright ban on betting on lottery outcomes and highlighted the socio-economic impact report.
Dáil

Social Welfare Benefits

Cork urgent needs payments rose slightly in early 2026 versus 2025, but Thomas Gould argued the scheme is underused amid rising energy and living costs, while Dara Calleary said supports like fuel allowance and additional needs payments remain available.
Current

Valuation (Amendment) Bill 2026

The change would exempt certain early childhood education premises from business rates, including not-for-profit providers, some providers that receive Core Funding and cap fees at ECCE rates, and after-school, sessional and part-time care run from those premises. It would also exempt childminding services run from a childminder’s own home, including mixed-use homes where part of the building is lived in and part is used for childminding. This matters because it lowers costs for childcare providers and home-based childminders, which could help support access and affordability.
Current

Child Maintenance Bill 2026

Creates a new out-of-court system for working out child maintenance, with the Revenue Commissioners doing the calculations using standard rules instead of the courts in most cases. Parents and carers would get a notice of the amount, can accept or challenge it, and if everyone agrees it becomes binding and enforceable; if not, the matter goes to court. It also allows for exceptions where the standard formula would be unfair, updates when circumstances change, appeals against Revenue decisions, and penalties for giving false information. The aim is to make maintenance faster, more consistent, and less stressful for families, while helping reduce child poverty.
Current

Life Annuity (Ireland) Bill 2026

Creates a regulated way for older homeowners to sell the value of their home while staying there for life, in return for a lump sum and/or regular payments. It sets out safeguards such as independent legal and financial advice, a cooling-off period, clear disclosure rules, and oversight by the Central Bank to make the arrangements fairer and more transparent than current equity-release products. It matters because it could give people more financial security in later life without forcing them to move.
Enacted

National Oil Reserves Agency (Amendment) Bill 2026

The National Oil Reserves Agency levy on most petrol and diesel would be cut from 2 cent per litre to a nominal amount from 1 April 2026 to 1 June 2026, with power for the Minister to change that period later by order if needed. The aim is to ease the pressure of rising energy prices, while still allowing the National Oil Reserves Agency to keep operating from its existing reserves. The change is expected to reduce levy income by about €20 million over two months, but it would not cost the Exchequer anything.
Withdrawn

Mineral Oil Tax (Emergency Cost of Living Reduction) Bill 2026

A reduction in mineral oil tax would be allowed temporarily on fuels used by households and drivers, including home heating oil, petrol, diesel and green diesel, to help ease cost-of-living pressure. The Minister for Finance could extend the relief if needed, must keep the impact of energy prices under review, and report on how the measures are working at least once a month.
Current

Housing Loans Regulations (Fresh Start - Buyout) (Amendment) Bill 2026

The bill would change the housing loan rules so that someone who stays in the family home after a divorce or legal separation can apply to their local authority for a housing loan to buy out their former partner’s share. It matters because it gives people in that situation a way to keep the home without having to leave simply because they cannot get mortgage finance elsewhere.
Current

Equal Status (Access to Toilet Facilities) Bill 2026

People with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, other bowel conditions, or an ostomy device would have a legal right to use staff-only toilets in retail shops that do not offer customer toilets, if the shop has enough staff on duty and there is no immediate health, safety or security risk. They would need to show approved proof of their condition, which could include a phone app or card approved by the Minister for Health. If a retailer refuses without good reason, it would count as disability discrimination under the Equal Status Acts, giving the person a route to make a complaint or seek redress.