Dáil Me In!
Oireachtas Preview | 6th – 7th May 2026
A shorter week in the Dáil this week!
Still some interesting bits to keep an eye on.
It will be a significant week, in particular for the people of Drogheda and Louth, as the Government will deliver Statements on the Scoping Exercise in response to requests from Dignity4Patients on behalf of victims and survivors of Michael Shine.
Elsewhere, Sinn Féin will put down motion in relation to Dublin City Flat Complex Retrofit and Regeneration, while the Labour Party will be putting forward their case for a Cost of Living Mini-Budget.
Keep a close eye on the committees, the big tech companies including Tik Tok and Google, will be among those answering questions on online child safety, while the National Oil Reserves Agency will make a timely appearance before PAC.
Read on for full details!
🗓️Wednesday 6th May
📢Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Convention Establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine
This is being brought to the Dáil in order to get approval for Ireland to join an international agreement to set up a claims commission for Ukraine. This commission would be part of wider efforts, supported by the likes of the Council of Europe to help document and process claims for compensation arising from damage and loss caused by the war following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. If approved, Ireland would formally support the creation of this mechanism, which aims to ensure victims can seek accountability and, eventually, reparations.
📢Statements on the Scoping Exercise in response to requests from Dignity4Patients on behalf of victims and survivors of Michael Shine
The Dáil will hear statements on a scoping exercise carried out by the Government in response to requests from Dignity4Patients, which represents victims and survivors of abuse by Dr Michael Shine. He’s alleged to have sexually abused boys and young men during his time as a surgeon in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. Shine always denied the abuse despite being found guilty of sexual assault of nine men in two trials in 2017 and 2019. The scoping exercise examined what form of inquiry or redress process might be appropriate to address the allegations and support survivors. This debate will focus on how the State should respond, including possible next steps such as a formal investigation or compensation scheme.
📢Sinn Féin Motion re Dublin City Flat Complex Retrofit and Regeneration
Dublin’s Inner City is getting a lot of attention at the moment as candidates battle it out in the Dublin Central by-election. This motion, being put forward by Sinn Féin, is calling on the Government to accelerate the retrofit and regeneration of older flat complexes in the capital. It focuses on improving living conditions for residents by upgrading insulation, heating, and overall building quality, while also addressing long-standing issues such as damp, energy inefficiency, and structural decline.
🗓️Thursday 7th May
📢Parliamentary Questions to the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport
Minister Patrick O Donovan is likely to take questions here. There are a few pieces of interest floating about in media which may be brought up, including the move by media regulator Coimisiún na Mean to increase a levy on radio stations and the ongoing discussions around the future at RTÉ.
📢Parliamentary to Minister for Defence
Minister Helen McEntee is likely to face questions here around the resourcing and capabilities of the Defence Forces. Also, there will likely be requests for updates on the ongoing wars in the Middle East, Gaza and Ukraine.
📢Statements to Mark Europe Day
This provides an opportunity for TDs to reflect on Ireland’s membership of the European Union and its impact on the Ireland. Contributions typically highlight the values of cooperation, while also addressing current challenges.
📢Labour Motion re Cost of Living Mini-Budget
Labour finance spokesperson Ged Nash will urge government to back Labour’s mini-Budget proposals that would bridge the cost-of-living gap for households between now and October’s Budget. The Labour party is calling on the Government to honour what they say were commitments made before the 2024 General Election and act now to ease cost of living pressures, rather than asking families to wait another five months for relief.
Seanad Spotlight 🔦
In the Upper House this week we’ll hear statements on International Developments and Europe Day. The Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2024 will be debated, as will the Arbitrations (Amendment) Bill 2024.
Oireachtas Committees - Ones to Watch! 👀
🗓️Wednesday
· Availability and access to sexual health services will be discussed at the Health Committee.
· Committee on Disability Matters will hear from a number of representative bodies on freedom from exploitation, violence, and abuse for persons with disabilities.
· The Car Rental Council of Ireland will discuss the European Commission’s Clean Corporate Vehicles legislative proposal at the Transport Committee.
· Numerous County Councils will appear before the Committee on Climate, Environment to debate Energy Building Climate Resilience and Flood Risk Adaptation.
· EU/Global Citizenship and Sustainable Development Education will be discussed at the Committee on Education and Youth.
· Scrutiny of the Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026 and the Data Bill 2025 will continue with IBEC in attendance at the Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
· Proposed retail investment schemes and tax on deemed disposals will be debated at the Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach
· Engagement with the County and City Management Association on local authority land zoning for housing is on the agenda for the Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery
· Impact of Greenways, Railways and Roadways on Agriculture (Compulsory Purchase Orders of Land) will be discussed at the Committee on Agriculture and Food.
🗓️Thursday
· The National Oil Reserves Agency will appear before the Public Accounts Committee.
· The tech giants will be in the Committee on Children and Equality to discuss child safety online.
· There will be a update on Defence Sectoral National Development Plan 2026–2030 and Defence Procurement in the Committee on Defence and National Security.
· Traveller Identity, with particular reference to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination will be discussed at the Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community.
Stay informed. Stay prepared. Stay strategic.
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