Dáil 28 August 2026

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.

Enacted 28 July 2026

Development (Strategic Gas Reserve) Bill 2026

The legislation would create a special fast-track process for a strategic gas reserve near Cahiracon, Co. Clare, so the Minister can approve it directly to help protect Ireland’s energy supply in an emergency. It would set out public consultation, environmental checks, and a decision process with the planning rules normally used for major projects set aside for this one project, while still requiring environmental assessment and allowing court challenges. It matters because it is meant to speed up a potentially important energy-security project, but it also raises the stakes for how environmental concerns and public input are handled.

Enacted 22 July 2026

Dublin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Bill 2026

The bill would give the Transport Minister power to lift or change the passenger limit at Dublin Airport if it is judged to be harming the economy, air links or Ireland’s reputation, while still requiring environmental checks first. It lets daa ask for that change, requires An Coimisiún Pleanála to assess possible impacts on the environment and protected habitats, and allows public submissions before any order is made. It also blocks future local planning bodies from reimposing a passenger cap, while keeping noise-related flight limits and related planning protections separate.

Enacted 22 July 2026

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.

Defeated 24 September 2026

Waste Management (Single Household Waste Collection Service) Bill 2026

A local authority would take a more active role in organising household waste collection, using a competitive tendering system that gives one provider exclusive rights for a set area or period. It would also require an affordable hardship waiver for bin charges and let councils make rules making landlords responsible for ensuring tenants have proper waste collection arrangements. The aim is to make refuse services more consistent, fairer and available across every area.

Dáil 16 July 2026

Waste Management (Single Household Waste Collection Service) Bill 2026: Second Stage [Private Members]

The Bill sought to let local authorities appoint a single household waste operator, set franchise terms, require landlords to ensure waste contracts, and provide hardship waivers. Labour, Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, the Greens and some independents backed it, arguing the current privatised system is costly, dysfunctional and worsens dumping, congestion and poor service in dense urban areas. The Minister of State opposed it, saying Government is already carrying out an independent feasibility study on franchise models and that major reform should wait for evidence-based review. The Bill did not get Government support at Second Stage.

Dáil 16 July 2026

Strategic Infrastructure

Swords’ rapid housing growth is being outpaced by transport, wastewater and community infrastructure, with calls for stronger co-ordination, while Government says major projects and funding are already under way to support sustainable development.

Seanad 16 July 2026

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.

Seanad 16 July 2026

LNG Bill guillotine and childcare

Senator Higgins criticised the guillotining of the LNG Bill, arguing it should not be rushed and should receive proper scrutiny. She then raised childcare, citing an early years affordability roadmap from SIPTU and the need for quality jobs and better services.

Seanad 16 July 2026

Summer goodwill and housing criticism

Senator Costello praised colleagues and staff, then dismissed Sinn Féin criticism of Government housing policy and joked about giving Senator Andrews a book on positive thinking.

Seanad 16 July 2026

Accommodation recognition payment cut

Senator McCarthy warned that reducing the accommodation recognition payment for Ukrainians could have human consequences, noting rising pressure at a homeless café and concern from the Irish Red Cross.

Dáil 16 July 2026

Schools Refurbishment

The Minister outlined climate-action school refurbishment funding, with 297 projects approved and the next tranche due October 2026, while promising to follow up on Thurles and Nenagh school applications.

Dáil 16 July 2026

Schools Building Projects

Dublin Mid-West school building projects were reviewed, with Scoil Chrónáin’s tender progressing, Lucan Community College phases advancing, and the Department promising future prioritisation for urgent, overcrowded and condition-affected schools.

Enacted 14 July 2026

Air Pollution (Amendment) Bill 2025

The changes would strengthen Ireland’s air pollution laws by giving authorised officers clearer powers to inspect premises and vehicles, take samples, issue compliance notices, and use fixed on-the-spot fines for some lower-level breaches. It also tightens rules on fuel by creating a new registration system for fuel businesses, adding stronger offences and appeals processes, and allowing fuel or related equipment to be seized if used in an offence. The aim is to make air quality enforcement more effective and consistent, with better information sharing between public bodies.

Current 21 September 2026

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.

Enacted 3 July 2026

Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026

Government would be able to label certain projects or programmes as “critical infrastructure” and put them on a faster approval track. Public bodies involved in those approvals would have to cooperate, cut delays, work in parallel where possible, and give these projects priority, while still keeping their existing legal duties and EU obligations. The Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation could also direct those bodies on how to carry out their roles, and the Bill would adjust how climate-law rules apply to designated projects.

Current 25 June 2026

Litter Pollution (Amendment) Bill 2022

The bill would update Ireland’s litter laws by sharply increasing the fines for dog fouling and related litter offences, with the aim of making the penalties strong enough to deter the behaviour. It also includes transition arrangements so the change can be put into effect smoothly. The point is to tackle a public health hazard and help keep streets and public places cleaner.

Current 20 March 2026

Antarctic Treaty (Accession and Implementation) Bill 2026

Ireland would be able to join the Antarctic Treaty system and give effect in Irish law to the main rules that protect Antarctica, especially the environmental protection protocol. It would set up the Foreign Affairs Minister as the lead minister, create a permit system for Irish people and companies doing work in Antarctica, and require environmental checks, waste controls, and emergency plans for activities there. It also gives inspectors powers to check compliance and allows penalties and permit changes where rules are breached.