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.

Current 7 September 2026

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 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.

Dáil 16 July 2026

Road Safety

Deputy Stanley urged urgent enforcement and new laws on e-scooters and e-bikes, citing severe child injuries, while the Government said 2024 rules already exist and is considering helmets, registration and other safety measures.

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

Public Transport

Deputies from Dublin South-West pressed for an independent feasibility study to extend MetroLink beyond Charlemont, arguing the route should be planned urgently and should not be reduced to a routine NTA review. The Minister of State confirmed the Government is committed to the study, but said it will be done within the broader greater Dublin area transport strategy review.

Dáil 16 July 2026

Luas extension for Dunsink

Deputy O'Gorman argued that a Luas green line extension is essential to support planned housing at Dunsink. The Tánaiste said he would raise the case with the Transport Minister and look at possible capital funding routes.

Dáil 16 July 2026

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 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

School transport tickets and capacity

Michael Fitzmaurice raised recurring problems with school bus tickets, especially for children already on concessionary places, and asked the Tánaiste to intervene. The Tánaiste acknowledged the issue, said the scheme remains in need of reform, and pointed to increased spending as evidence of commitment.

COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS 16 July 2026

Financial Statements 2024: National Transport Authority (Resumed)

Committee scrutiny centred on the National Train Control Centre traffic management system contract, where Iarnród Éireann and the NTA acknowledged major delays, about €50 million in exposure, and a failed delivery by Indra. Both bodies said the project was originally procured through an open competition and defended the process, but accepted that the outcome was unprecedented and that lessons must be learned, with an independent review due in September. The NTA has now accepted Iarnród Éireann’s decision to move away from Indra on the NTCC system and said an alternative delivery approach is needed. A separate NTA ticketing contract with Indra was said to be on time and on budget, while Iarnród Éireann also noted other rail projects continue to progress.

Seanad 16 July 2026

Taxi shortages in rural Ireland

Senator Gallagher warned that falling taxi numbers are harming rural Ireland economically and socially, especially in Border counties. Senator Andrews and Gallagher briefly interjected with lighter remarks before the point concluded.

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

Small craft registration delays

Senator Boyle raised serious problems with small-craft registration, citing delays, excessive paperwork and rules better suited to commercial vessels.

Dáil 16 July 2026

School Transport

School transport eligibility and ticket shortages were raised as causing major family stress, with the Minister saying Bus Éireann and the Department are working to improve allocation, use spare capacity better and ensure tickets go to those most in need.

Seanad 16 July 2026

Bus Services

Senator Ryan criticised repeated delays to BusConnects Limerick, saying residents want delivery rather than more plans and seeking a clear start date. The Minister of State said the new network is progressing, with 61 electric buses already in service and further implementation details due later this year, while promising to raise the Senator’s concerns with the Minister.

Seanad 16 July 2026

Road Projects

Senator Costello criticised DMURS-led road narrowing and parking removals in Tallaght as causing congestion and accessibility problems, while the Government said DMURS is a living document and promised a broader review and consultation, including disability input.

COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS 16 July 2026

Business of Committee

The committee welcomed new member Deputy Martin Daly, agreed the minutes, and noted several accounts and correspondence. It highlighted serious issues in the Tusla accounts over non-compliant procurement and the ISIF loss of €2.5 million from a fraud, and agreed to write for further detail on both. Members were highly critical of IFI’s spend of over €70,000, excluding VAT, on media-training and legal preparation for a PAC appearance, and agreed to seek wider information from Departments and agencies on pre-hearing training costs. The committee also published its interim report on the national children’s science centre, calling for urgent Government intervention and no further public funding until a full review is done.

Current 25 June 2026

Dublin Transport Authority (Amendment) Bill 2026

Extends the National Transport Authority’s powers so it can directly build public transport infrastructure anywhere in the State, not just in the Greater Dublin Area. It also updates the legal definition of “road authority” to cover the whole country, so the existing BusConnects-style process can be used outside Dublin. The measure is described as a technical enabling change and is not expected to cost the Exchequer extra money.

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

Safe routes to school

Senator Nelson Murray described unsafe school routes at several Meath schools and the need for safer travel for children.

Dáil 30 April 2026

Rail Network

Deputy Pa Daly criticised major cost overruns and delays in the rail traffic management system and ticketing projects, while the Minister of State said progress is slow but the Government is engaged, safety is unaffected, and delivery remains a flagship priority.

Dáil 30 April 2026

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.