Dáil Me In!
Oireachtas Preview | 21st – 23rd April 2026
You just never know what way a week in Dáil Eireann is going to go. Usually, its predictable and mundane, but then there are weeks like last week.
By last Monday evening the schedule had basically been thrown out the window and rearranged to allow for a motion of confidence in the Government. The Government survived , but lost a Minister and the support of two Independents in the shape of Micheal and Danny Healy Rae.
Here’s some of the highlights of that debate, in case you missed it!
And then there was the bombshell moment……
This week’s Dáil agenda may not be as dramatic, but spans a wide range of high-profile and politically charged issues, from Simon Harris’s first Spring Economic Statement and a Sinn Féin motion on special education, to debates on climate action, public health regulation, and post-Brexit cooperation with the UK.
Alongside several major pieces of legislation including the Tobacco and Nicotine Products Bill and amendments to the Health Information.
Here’s a full preview of what’s happening….
🗓️Tuesday 21st April
📢Spring Economic Statement
Tánaiste and Finance Minister’s Simon Harris’s first Spring Economic Statement comes at a pivotal moment for both the economy and society. While headline indicators point to strong growth, many households continue to feel the strain.
Attention will be firmly on whether this statement prioritises long-term investment over short-term measures. Striking the right balance between prudent fiscal management and meaningful support for families and businesses will be key.
📢Sinn Féin Motion re Special Education
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Special Education, Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh TD, has recently criticised the Government’s decision to introduce a new category of ‘inclusive special classes’
Deputy Ní Raghallaigh says that at its core, this appears to be a proposal to increase class sizes for children with additional needs without a commensurate increase in staffing or supports. That is not inclusion, it is dilution.
Sinn Féin claim that the proposal raises serious concerns among parents, educators and advocacy groups, and will debate this and wider issues around special education.
📢Parliamentary Questions to the Minister for Health
Health Minister Jennifer Carroll McNeil will take questions in the chamber. Expect issues like progress on the National Children’s Hospital, waiting lists, and dental care to be raised.
🗓️Wednesday 22nd April
📢Independent and Technical Parties Motion re Earth Day
A motion marking Earth Day offers the Dáil an opportunity to reflect on Ireland’s environmental commitments.
While motions like these ones are often symbolic, they also serve to highlight gaps between ambitions and delivery, particularly in areas like emissions reduction and sustainable infrastructure.
The debate is likely to emphasise the need for practical action and accountability, with a focus on how national policy translates into progress.
📢Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2026
The Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2026 is at its second stage and marks an important step in updating Ireland’s approach to smoking and vaping regulation.
The legislation is expected to focus on tightening controls around the sale, marketing, and accessibility of nicotine inhaling products, particularly among younger people.
The debate will likely centre on balancing public health priorities with enforcement and practicality, as well as the pace at which regulation is keeping up with evolving products.
Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of a Council Decision to resume Vehicle Registration Data exchange with the United Kingdom for the prevention and investigation of criminal offences
The title of this is fairly self explanatory, basically the motion highlights the continued importance of structured UK–EU collaboration in justice matters post- Brexit, with the key question being whether the arrangements in place provide both efficiency for law enforcement and confidence for the public in how data is used and protected.
This particular motion centres on resuming vehicle registration data exchange with the UK. The proposed Council Decision would restore cooperation that supports the prevention, detection, and investigation of criminal offences, particularly those involving vehicle movements.
📢Health Information Bill- 2024 Amendments from the Seanad
The Health Information Bill 2024 returns to the Dáil with amendments from the Seanad. The legislation aims to underpin a more integrated digital health system, improving access to information for both patients and healthcare providers.
Debate on the Seanad amendments is likely to focus on key issues such as data protection, patient consent, and the safeguards needed to ensure public trust.
🗓️Thursday 23rd April
📢Parliamentary Questions – Minister for Education and Youth
Minister for Education, Hildegarde Naughton, has recently sought several hundred million in extra funding for the department of Education. This is indicative of the pressures facing the Department. Expect questions relating to special education classes, school building infrastructure and teacher supply amongst a lot more.
📢Parliamentary Questions – Minister for Children, Disability and Equality
Minister Norma Foley will likely take questions here, centred on a set of persistent service pressures including child protection services, disability services and supports and equality and inclusion measures.
📢Parliamentary Questions - Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Questions being put to Minister James Lawless and his department are likely to centre around student accommodation and costs.
This is likely to remain a major theme, as the Dáil hears more concerns around the availability of housing, rental costs in college towns, and the effectiveness of existing supports such as the Student Assistance Fund and rent-related measures.
📢Education (Medical Emergencies in Schools) Bill 2026
Currently at second stage, this Bill is aiming to strengthen how schools prepare for and respond to serious health incidents involving pupils and staff. It’s working to build a clearer national framework for first aid training, emergency preparedness, and the safe administration of prescribed medication in school settings.
A key focus of the Bill is ensuring that more school staff are properly trained to respond quickly and effectively in situations such as seizures, anaphylaxis, or other life-threatening emergencies.
Seanad Spotlight! 🔦
In the upper house this week, we’ll hear statements on Fuel Supports to the Agricultural Sector, Prisons and Alternative Sentencing Options, and Disability Matters. The Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2024 will be debated, as will Air Navigation and Transport (Arms Embargo) Bill 2024. There will also be a motion debated in relation to Participation in a Council Decision to resume Vehicle Registration Data exchange with the United Kingdom for the prevention and investigation of criminal offences.
Oireachtas Committees – Ones to Watch! 👀
🗓️Tuesday 21st April
· The Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement will hear contributions from Chamber of Commerce representative North and South of the border.
· Defence and cyber security will be discussed at the AI Committee.
· The Impact of climate change on fish stocks will be debated at the Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs.
· Richard Bennett, UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan, with the United Nations will be among those at giving evident to the Foreign Affairs Committee.
· The Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage will meet the Expert Group on Traveller Accommodation & meeting the needs of the Traveller community
· The Budget Oversight Committee will discuss spending overruns, Existing Levels of Service (ELS) and supplementary estimates.
· The Committee on Public Petitions hear about a petition to give practical application to the right not to attend religious instruction in school.
🗓️Wednesday 22nd April
· Committee on Disability Matters will continue to discuss Living arrangements for persons with disabilities.
· The Health Committee will hear more about the policies, availability and policies around vaccines.
· Irish Road Victims will be sharing their stories and insight with the Transport Committee as they discuss road safety.
· Salmon conservation is the topic of choice for the Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy.
· Progress Ireland reps will be in the Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to discuss the costs of doing business in Ireland.
· Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach will discuss dark money flowing through the Irish financial sector.
· Dog welfare will be discussed at Committee on Agriculture and Food, with Dogs Trust in attendance.
· The Irish Coalition for Business and Human Rights, will appear before the Committee on European Union Affairs to discuss plans for the EU Presidency.
· Minister Jack Chambers will appear before the Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery.
🗓️Thursday 23rd April
·HSE and Hospital reps will appear before the Public Accounts Committee.
· Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science will discuss the Local Training Initiative.
· The Committee on Children and Equality will hear from witnesses on the Safety and Well-being of Children Online.
Stay informed. Stay prepared. Stay strategic.
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