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European Union

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13 items

Part of
Europe
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

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.
Enacted

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.
Current

Railway Safety Bill 2026

The Railway Safety Bill 2026 would put the Railway Accident Investigation Unit on a permanent legal footing and allow it to investigate accidents and incidents across all types of railway, including Luas, metro and heritage railways. It would also strengthen rules for safety-critical railway workers by lowering alcohol limits, introducing drug testing and updating Garda powers and procedures, while making related changes to the Medical Bureau of Road Safety’s records.
Enacted

Criminal Justice (International Cooperation on Electronic Evidence and Other Matters) Bill 2026

Creates a new Office of the Director of Criminal Justice International Cooperation to handle cooperation with other countries and EU states on getting electronic evidence for criminal cases. It would require online service providers to have a designated contact point or legal representative in place, give the new office power to monitor compliance, inspect records and impose financial penalties for failures, and take over the role of checking some terrorist-content removal orders. It matters because it is meant to speed up access to digital evidence across borders while giving Ireland a system to enforce these rules.
Enacted

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.
Dáil

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

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

EU Presidency

During Ireland’s EU Presidency, the Minister said security is led by An Garda Síochána with Defence Forces support on request, backed by a joint task force and existing co-operation with the UK, France and EU partners. She pointed to growing focus on maritime, cyber and critical infrastructure threats, with radar and sonar capabilities being developed, including a radar picture by 2028.
Enacted

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2025

Tightens Ireland’s terrorism laws so they fully match an EU rulebook on combating terrorism. It adds offences for receiving terror training, travelling for terrorism, and helping others travel for terrorism, and it also broadens rules on public incitement and certain cyber-related offences when they are connected to terrorism. It sets penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment on conviction and makes attacks on children an aggravating factor in some terrorism-related sentencing.
Enacted

Arbitration (Amendment) Bill 2025

The bill would update Ireland’s arbitration law so the State can give legal effect to certain international investment agreements, including the EU’s trade deals with Canada and Chile and any similar agreements later named by ministerial order. It would allow arbitration awards made under those agreements to be enforced in Ireland through the High Court, while blocking enforcement where it would clash with Ireland’s constitutional order or the EU legal order. It also sets limits on appeals and gives the Oireachtas a chance to review any future orders.
Current

Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill 2026

The Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill 2026 would create a single, updated framework for Garda stop-and-search powers, premises searches and access to data on phones, computers and other electronic systems. It would require clearer reasons and records for searches, court approval for accessing seized devices, protections for legally privileged material, and new urgent-search procedures. People in Garda custody would generally have the right to consult a solicitor before questioning and have one present, while serious-offence interviews would be electronically recorded. The measures aim to make investigations more effective while strengthening safeguards and accountability.
Dáil

Public Services Card

Concerns over expanding the public services card into a digital ID and wallet centre on data protection, trust and coercion, while the Minister insists the system will remain voluntary and user-controlled under EU eIDAS rules.