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Justice

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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

Guardianship of Infants and Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2026

The proposal would let a court restrict or remove a parent’s or guardian’s rights over a child where that guardian has been convicted of killing, or seriously assaulting, another guardian, or of another very serious offence that has harmed the child’s welfare. It also sets out how the Child and Family Agency can apply, how courts should review or delay orders until safe care is in place, and how children can be represented in those cases. The aim is to protect children while making the child’s best interests the main factor in every decision.
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 Priorities

The Community Recognition Fund has allocated €100 million to over 1,460 projects, with completion targeted for 2026 and no further allocation planned.
Enacted

Domestic Violence Judgments Register Bill 2026

Creates a public online register of court judgments for certain serious domestic violence convictions, so people can check whether someone has such a history. A court would decide whether a judgment goes on the register, and the victim’s consent would be needed; the convicted person could later ask for removal after a set period, depending on whether they went to prison. It also changes related laws so those publication rules do not block the register, and it is expected to cost nothing extra because it will use the Courts Service’s existing online system.
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.
Dáil

International protection and murder investigation

Deputy Nolan linked the killing of Jamey Carney to wider violence against women and asked that international protection rules never hinder Garda action. The Tánaiste expressed sympathy and said Gardaí would pursue justice, with the investigation already under way.
Dáil

Ulm five trial monitoring

Deputy Coppinger said there was no official record of the Ulm five trial and asked the Government to ensure oversight. The Tánaiste said he would make inquiries and ask the relevant Minister to reply.
Dáil

Court system backlog

Deputy Gannon pressed the Tánaiste on chaos in the criminal justice system, adjourned cases and court backlogs, criticising the justice reforms. The Tánaiste defended the Minister, but the exchange became heated over language used about the Minister and whether the changes were evidence-based.
Dáil

Criminal legal aid reforms

Deputy Whitmore argued that recent legal aid reforms were ill-considered and were causing court delays and refusals by solicitors to do free legal aid work. The Tánaiste defended the changes, saying fees were being increased and reform was necessary, while both sides sparred over evidence and political criticism.
Seanad

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Section 9(2)) (Amount of Financial Contribution) Order 2025 (Revocation) Order 2026: Motion

Seanad Éireann considered revoking the 2025 financial contribution order, while an opposition amendment sought tighter means-testing and restrictions on the Accommodation Recognition Payment scheme to avoid further distorting the rental market.
Dáil

Defence Forces

Deputy Coppinger challenged secretive Defence Forces handling of abuse allegations and victims’ rights, while Minister McEntee said she is seeking legislative change, greater oversight, and improved complaints mechanisms but cannot yet extend the 2017 Act.
Dáil

Defence Forces

The Minister defended the Defence Forces claims process, saying cases should proceed through mediation or the State Claims Agency while rejecting calls for a separate health and redress scheme for exposed personnel.
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

Bessborough site

Senator Harmon urged action on Bessborough in Cork, including possible negotiation, compulsory purchase, publication of burial records and an inquest. Senators Higgins and O'Reilly voiced support.
Seanad

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.
Seanad

Accommodation payment and housing

Senator Andrews proposed an amendment on winding down the accommodation recognition payment scheme, then the exchange broadened into a lengthy row with Senator Fitzpatrick over housing delivery, Glass Bottle, affordable housing and homelessness. The Leas-Chathaoirleach repeatedly intervened on interruptions and speaking time, and the item ended with Andrews confirming the amendment details and a final summer good wish.
Seanad

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.
Dáil

Education Policy

Updated SPHE curriculum now covers consent, healthy relationships and abuse at junior and senior cycle, with phased rollout to 2027 and extensive teacher training, while calls were made to move the content earlier and strengthen student engagement.
Dáil

Scoileanna Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta

Funding and planning for an Tuairín i mBéal an Daingin school extension remain under review at stage 2b, with no firm timeline yet, while the Department says priority will go to urgent special-education accommodation and other ready projects.
Joint Committee on Children and Equality

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.
Current

Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation Bill 2026

The Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation Bill 2026 would protect people who speak out on matters of public interest from obviously baseless or abusive court cases, including defamation claims. It would let courts deal with such cases quickly, require claimants to provide security for costs, award the defendant costs or damages, and refuse to enforce similar judgments from certain countries outside the EU; these protections would apply to both domestic and cross-border cases. It would also update defamation law and replace related provisions in the Defamation (Amendment) Act 2026.
Current

Civil Liability (Child Sexual Abuse Proceedings Against Unincorporated Bodies of Persons) Bill 2025

The bill would make it easier to take civil claims for child sexual abuse against unincorporated groups such as religious orders, clubs or societies, by allowing them to be sued in their own name rather than having to identify individual members. It also lets a court use an associated trust’s assets to pay damages in some cases, and gives survivors an extra year after the law starts to bring claims that would otherwise be out of time. This matters because the current rules can make it very hard to sue these groups, even where they are effectively responsible.
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.
Enacted

International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill 2026

Permits evidence to be taken in Ireland for the Omagh Bombing Inquiry in the UK from current and former Garda members, Defence Forces members, certain civil servants, and former ministers, where they have relevant information and agree to take part if required. It sets up a process where a High Court judge hears the evidence, with the Inquiry able to ask follow-up questions, while protecting witnesses and allowing refusals where security, investigations, or official functions would be affected. It matters because it gives the Irish State a clearer legal way to help the inquiry investigate whether the 1998 Omagh bombing could have been prevented.
Seanad

Oceanwide Expeditions liner

Senator McCarthy raised the case of a cruise liner off Cape Verde that is unable to dock, affecting passengers including a well-known former colleague.
Seanad

Text scam fraud

Senator Scahill described the rise in scam texts, WhatsApp messages and emails, saying fraud is now affecting a large share of the public.
Seanad

Daniel Tatlow-Devally detention

Senator Stephenson called attention to the prolonged pretrial detention and restricted legal access of Irish citizen Daniel Tatlow-Devally in Stuttgart.
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

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.