Enacted 5 August 2026

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 29 July 2026

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 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.

Current 17 July 2026

Electoral (Postal Voting) (Carers) Bill 2026

The proposal would let more carers register to vote by post, not just people who are ill or disabled. It would extend postal voting to certain carers and related groups, including people getting carer payments or supports, some people receiving domiciliary care allowance, and some families eligible for carer-related tax credits. It matters because it would make it easier for carers to vote without having to leave the person they support on polling day.

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.

Dáil 16 July 2026

Electoral (Postal Voting) (Carers) Bill 2026: First Stage

Deputy Wall introduced a Bill to give family carers eligibility for postal voting, arguing it would improve democratic participation, and the Government did not oppose its first stage.

Dáil 16 July 2026

Access to rare disease medicines

Deputy O'Sullivan described the distress of families waiting for treatment for Friedreich's ataxia. The Minister for Health said Ireland needed a better system for rare disease access and that she would pursue a European and domestic solution.

Dáil 16 July 2026

Period products in schools

Deputy Keogh highlighted the humiliation and practical difficulties faced by girls who lack easy access to period products in schools. The Tánaiste said access should not depend on asking an authority figure and promised further engagement with the relevant Ministers.

Dáil 16 July 2026

Suicide-promoting online forums

Deputy Clarke asked for immediate co-ordinated enforcement against online platforms that encourage suicide. The Tánaiste said he would speak to the Minister and Coimisiún na Meán and identify what action can be taken, including involving other Departments.

Dáil 16 July 2026

Skyclarys for Friedreich's ataxia

Deputy O'Meara relayed a constituent's plea for access to Skyclarys to slow deterioration from Friedreich's ataxia. The Tánaiste said the drugs process needs broader review and that the current steps aim to assess the medicine properly.

Dáil 16 July 2026

E-scooter injuries in children

Deputies raised the alarming rise in child injuries and traumatic brain injuries linked to e-scooters, and the Tánaiste agreed urgent action was needed. The discussion moved from possible bans to calls for workable regulation and parental responsibility.

Dáil 16 July 2026

CAMHS response for Offaly teenager

Deputy Nolan raises an urgent case of a distressed teenager in Offaly awaiting CAMHS support, and the Tánaiste says the Minister of State will engage with the HSE and the system must better handle complex cases.

Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community 16 July 2026

Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (Resumed)

Witnesses said Traveller accommodation in Wexford is undermined by poor reporting, weak consultation and a largely ineffective LTACC. They called for stronger national oversight, an independent or longer-term chair, mandatory regular meetings, proper agendas and minutes, and real accountability for delivery and spending. Personal testimony highlighted homelessness, overcrowding, cultural needs around family living and mobility, and the failure of choice-based letting to work for many Travellers, especially older people and those with literacy or digital access difficulties. Members broadly accepted that the current system is too fragmented and that the LTACC needs structural reform rather than more empty consultation.

Seanad 16 July 2026

Health (Provision of Contraception Prescribing Service in Retail Pharmacy Businesses) Bill 2026: Second and Subsequent Stages

The Bill will allow pharmacists to prescribe short-acting contraception in defined circumstances, free for women aged 17 to 35 under the free contraception scheme and privately for others, while requiring an initial GP assessment and clinical safeguards. Senators across parties backed the measure as a practical way to improve access, cut costs and free up GP capacity, though several urged extension of the scheme’s age range and attention to pharmacist resourcing. The Seanad agreed to proceed to Committee and subsequent Stages immediately.

Dáil 16 July 2026

Drogheda abuse scoping report

Ged Nash welcomed the Michael Shine scoping report and said it was vital for truth, accountability and a statutory inquiry. The Tánaiste backed the report, agreed to both funding requests for Dignity4Patients, and praised the group’s work in supporting survivors.

Dáil 16 July 2026

Friedreich's ataxia access to treatment

Mary Lou McDonald raised Cara Darmody’s protest, assessments of need, and the urgent plight of people with Friedreich’s ataxia. The Tánaiste said he recognised the seriousness, outlined the HSE rare diseases process, and gave a four-week timeline; McDonald and others pressed him on delay and deterioration.

Dáil 16 July 2026

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 16 July 2026

Special classes notification portal

Senator Scahill outlined the NCSE parents-notify portal, explaining the deadlines are meant to help plan special class places and budgets for 2027-28.

Seanad 16 July 2026

Assessment of need delays

Senator O'Reilly backed Senator Harmon and described the crisis in assessments of need for families in Cavan and Monaghan, where a child was left waiting despite an early intervention preschool place.

Seanad 16 July 2026

Bowel cancer waiting times

Senator Nelson Murray highlighted bowel cancer waiting times, saying the target is 28 days and contrasting national concern with strong recent performance in Navan.

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

Drugs report translation

Senator Ruane thanked staff and highlighted interest in translating the drugs report for audiences abroad.

Seanad 16 July 2026

Order of Business

The Leader outlined the motions due to be taken later, and Senators Fitzpatrick and McDowell criticised aspects of recent public policy and the planning regulations process.

Joint Committee on Children and Equality 16 July 2026

Child Protection Matters, Special Care and Special Emergency Care Arrangements: Tusla

Tusla outlined rising demand for child protection services, with almost 6,000 children in care, increasing referrals, and a sharp rise in separated children seeking international protection. It said special emergency arrangements have now been phased out in favour of regulated emergency placements with HIQA oversight, and admitted it cannot yet fully meet its statutory duty on special care because of staffing shortages. Members pressed Tusla on residential placement capacity, use of private providers, security staff in homes, aftercare, and the lack of capital investment in the community and voluntary sector. Tusla said recruitment, training and reform are under way, with a focus on expanding foster care, therapeutic supports and staff numbers.

Seanad 16 July 2026

Community Care

Senator Kelleher sought urgent long-term funding certainty for Westgate Foundation’s Ballincollig day care, meals-on-wheels and sheltered housing services, and the Minister confirmed increased HSE support, ongoing talks and a shared commitment to sustaining them.

Enacted 14 July 2026

Health (Amendment) (Home Support Providers) Bill 2025

Creates a registration and inspection system for home support providers who help older people and people with disabilities in their own homes, with HIQA’s Chief Inspector overseeing it. Providers would have to register, meet safety and quality standards, display their registration, and report key information, while the inspector could inspect premises, issue compliance notices, and take action — including cancelling registration — if standards are not met. It also sets transition rules for existing providers and makes operating without registration an offence.

Current 9 July 2026

Adult Safeguarding Strategy Bill 2026

Requires the Minister for Health to draw up a new adult safeguarding strategy within six months of the Act starting, and to renew it every three years. The strategy must set goals and actions to protect adults at risk, cover services such as care homes, hospitals, mental health services, home care, day services, Garda work involving vulnerable people, and similar settings, and may include oversight bodies, advice and advocacy, and court powers to limit harmful contact. Public bodies would have to act in line with the strategy, and the Minister would have to report each year on what has been done, what has not yet been achieved, and why. It matters because it would put adult protection on a regular, public footing and force follow-up, not just planning.

Current 23 September 2026

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.

Current 29 June 2026

Health (Amendment) Bill 2025

Changes how the Health Service Executive is planned and overseen, replacing the old annual service plan with a performance delivery plan and giving the Minister for Health and the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality a stronger role in setting priorities, issuing guidance, and approving plans. It also tightens financial oversight by requiring the HSE board and chief executive to make sure spending controls, value for money, and corrective action plans are in place if budgets look likely to be overshot. Finally, it expands the National Cancer Registry Board to 10 members and updates its quorum rules.

Seanad 6 May 2026

Ann Lane and surrogacy briefing

Senator Conway wished Ann Lane well and referred to an emotional briefing on surrogacy legislation, praising the work of former Senator Mary Seery Kearney.

Seanad 6 May 2026

Business grants for security surveillance

After another visitor welcome, Senator Davitt suggested that rather than only expanding surveillance, businesses with suitable shopfronts should be supported by grants to improve security.

Seanad 30 April 2026

Cavan hospital child care

Senator Tully raised a 12-year-old boy's delayed treatment in Cavan General Hospital and alleged that no doctor came despite repeated calls overnight.

Seanad 30 April 2026

Family carers scorecard

Senator Conway outlined Family Carers Ireland's scorecard on the programme for Government, noting mixed progress and several areas of no progress or regression.

Current 16 January 2026

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.