Dáil Me In!
Oireachtas Preview | 3rd - 5th March 2026
Last week in Dáil Éireann the SNA allocation row continued. This related to letters being sent from the National Council for Special Education warning schools they could lose part of their SNA allocations. Despite the Government hitting pause on this the previous week, there was still emotive and robust debate.
By midweek, the spotlight had swung to housing. With changes to the Residential Tenancies Act set to take effect on the 1st of March, emotions were already high. At Leaders’ Questions, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald brandished correspondence she said showed corporate landlords could hike rents by up to 25% under the new rules. That claim lit the fuse for sharp exchanges, as Government and opposition traded figures, and blame, across the chamber…………
The Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 came into play on Sunday, since then media has been highlighting concerns from both tenants and landlords. Expect more on this, throughout the week!
The weekend escalation involving the US, Israel and Iran and the knock-on effects across the Gulf certainly wasn’t built into this week’s Dáil schedule.
That’s likely to change quickly. Expect strong calls from across the chamber to slot in statements and possibly a full debate as TDs press the Government on Ireland’s position and the wider geopolitical fallout.
It was just last Tuesday when former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams appeared before the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee to discuss peace building in the Middle East.
Here’s a flavour of how that discussion unfolded…
More widely, it’s one of those classic mixed-bag weeks in the Dáil. There’s the feel-good tone of Seachtain na Gaeilge, but it won’t be long before things get sharper. Housing in the Gaeltacht, post office closures, scoliosis backlogs and vaping bans are all on the table, and none of them are exactly low-heat topics.
At the same time, TDs are wading into some weightier regulatory territory: assisted decision-making law, online algorithms, and media oversight.
Here’s what to look out for….
🗓️Tuesday 3rd March
📢Statements on Seachtain na Gaeilge
TDs will mark Seachtain na Gaeilge, with contributions focused on Irish language promotion, Gaeltacht supports, education policy and the future of Irish in public life. Expect broad cross-party backing with maybe some sharper exchanges on funding and delivery.
📢Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026 - Second Stage
This bill will amend the existing Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act which came into effect in 2023. It was introduced to overhaul how Ireland supports people who may have difficulty making their own decisions, with a particular focus on ending the wardship system and replacing it with supported decision-making frameworks.
While technical in nature, the Bill has operational, compliance, and reputational implications, particularly for those working with vulnerable adults.
📢Sinn Féin Motion: Gaeltacht Housing
Sinn Féin has actively been raising the issue of the housing crisis within Gaeltacht areas, and will put down a motion on this.
The party say this motion will support the TINTEÁN protest taking place outside the Dáil at 2pm on the same day, and sets out 11 demands, including a planning statement for the Gaeltacht without delay, a grant scheme for Gaeltacht housing, and the implementation of the comprehensive policy Sinn Féin published on Gaeltacht housing in 2022.
📢Parliamentary Questions: Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport
Minister Patrick O Donovan has been busy in his sport portfolio recently! Expect him to be questioned here on the decision of the FAI to proceed with the Republic of Ireland’s Nations League match with Israel at the Aviva and about his response to flares being thrown and damaging the pitch during the Dundalk and Drogheda United game, among other things.
🗓️Wednesday 4th March
📢Online Safety (Recommender Algorithms) Bill 2026 - Second Stage
The Bill requires social media platforms to turn off recommender algorithms for under 18s. It would also require that recommender algorithms based on profiling or sensitive personal data have to be actively turned on by adult users.
People Before Profit were at the offices of X this weekend, protesting this issues. Expect robust debate on this one!
📢Government Business: Statement on Post Office Closures
Government will address concerns about post office closures and service reductions, particularly in rural Ireland.
Opposition TDs are expected to challenge the sustainability plan for the network.
📢Government Business: Statement on Scoliosis and Inquiries
The Government will update the Dáil on scoliosis treatment backlogs and related reviews or inquiries.
Expect emotional contributions and renewed pressure over waiting times and capacity in paediatric services
📢Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025 - Committee and Remaining Stages
This legislation restricting or banning single-use vapes is advancing through its final Dáil stages. The focus will be on youth vaping, environmental waste and enforcement powers.
These provisions have commercial and reputational implications for retail, hospitality and consumer goods sectors. Also, enforcement and compliance impacts for regulators and businesses.
🗓️Thursday 5th March
📢Parliamentary Questions: Minister for Health
Follow up on Scoliosis is likely here.
Also the Minister will most likely face scrutiny on waiting lists, hospital capacity, GP access, mental health services.
📢Parliamentary Questions: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Last Friday Homeless figures surpassed 17-thousand, expect questions to the Minister for Housing James Browne on this.
Also there will most likely be more on the Residential Tenancies Bill!
📢 Media Regulation Bill 2026 - Second Stage
The Dáil begins debate on new media regulation legislation, expected to strengthen oversight of broadcasters and online platforms. It will address issues around misinformation, regulator powers and press freedom.
It will basically aim to implement the main provisions of the European Media Freedom Act in Ireland.
📢Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018 - Second Stage
Independent Senator Lynn Ruane introduced this Private Members Bill back in 2018. It aims to expand the range of convictions that can be considered ‘spent’. This means a person would no longer have to disclose these to a potential employer.
The Dáil will debate the reforms which are aimed at improving rehabilitation and employment prospects for people with past convictions, while balancing public protection concerns.
Seanad Spotlight! 🔦
In the Upper House this week we can expect statements on International Women’s Day, Special Needs Assistants, and Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Bills up for debate include the International Protection Bill, the Health Information Bill, the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill, Protection of Employees (Employers Insolvency) Bill, and a motion regarding the implementation of the Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan.
Oireachtas Committees - Ones to Watch! 👀
🗓️Tuesday
Representatives of An Garda Síochana and the Policing and Community Safety Authority will be in front of the Committee on AI
A petition on ‘Making Divorce Affordable’ will be discussed at the Committee on Public Petitions.
The Minister for Justice, Jim O’ Callaghan, will appear before the Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
Sustainable Hunting of Wild Birds and Rural Pursuits will be discussed before the Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
A number of disability representatives will be before the Committee on Disability Matters for pre-legislative scrutiny of Assessment of Need.
🗓️Wednesday
Reps from Department of Transport will answer questions on Dublin Airport Passenger Cap in the Committee on Transport.
The Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development will discuss with the LEADER programme and rural development with reps from the Department and Pobal.
Minister Peter Burke will appear before the Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
Reps from Sport Ireland and a host of other sporting bodies will appear before Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport.
The Tanaiste and Finance Minister, Simon Harris along with Minister for Public Expenditure, Jack Chambers, will be on front of the Committee on Budgetary Oversight.
Minister Timmy Dooley will be before the Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs.
Questions will be put the Construction Industry Federation at the Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery.
🗓️Thursday
Representatives from associations and unions representing school teachers and leaders will discuss the Safety and Wellbeing of Children Online before the Committee on Children and Equality.
The Provision of Special Education and the Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Allocation Review will be discussed at the Committee on Education and Youth.
Stay informed. Stay prepared. Stay strategic.
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