Dáil Me In!
Oireachtas Preview | 30th June - 2nd July
It’s a significant week in Dáil Éireann as Ireland officially takes up the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Alongside debates on the Government’s priorities for the next six months, TDs will also debate major legislation on energy security, Dublin Airport, artificial intelligence and planning reform.
Sinn Féin and the Independent Technical Group will use their Private Members’ time to put childcare and the cost of living back under the spotlight.
Over in committee rooms, it’s worth keeping an eye on the Health Committee where the Master of the Rotunda Hospital and HSE reps will be among those answering questions following recent controversy, and in the Justice Committee Minister Jim O’ Callaghan will be appearing in relation to ‘criminal legal aid’, that’s following on from industrial action by solicitors.
Also, we’ll find out more this week about Government plans for fuel support measures which are due to expire and the end of July.
Read on for a more detailed breakdown of what’s on the agenda for the week ahead!
🗓️Tuesday 30th June
📢Development (Strategic Gas Reserve) Bill 2026
This Bill returns to the Dáil for Committee and Remaining Stages this week. It’s designed to accelerate the delivery of Ireland’s proposed Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve by creating a bespoke planning and consent process for the project, allowing a single development application to be considered outside the standard planning regime. The Government argues the legislation is necessary to strengthen Ireland’s energy security and resilience against potential gas supply disruptions, while opponents have raised concerns about the streamlined planning process and environmental oversight.
📢Dublin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Bill 2026
This contentious Bill moves to Committee and Remaining Stages this week, marking a significant step in the Government’s efforts to address the long-running 32 million passenger cap at Dublin Airport. The Bill would give the Minister for Transport the power to amend or revoke the cap, subject to environmental assessments and public consultation, while preventing future passenger caps from being imposed through the planning system. The Government says the legislation is essential to support connectivity, and economic growth, while critics have raised concerns about climate obligations as well as the rights of local communities.
📢Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026
Also entering into Committee and Remaining Stages this week, this Bill is laying the legislative foundations for Ireland’s implementation of the EU AI Act. It’s looking to establish the national regulatory framework for artificial intelligence responsible for oversight and enforcement, and sets out powers to monitor compliance and impose sanctions where necessary. The legislation aims to provide legal certainty for businesses while ensuring AI systems are developed and deployed safely, and in line with fundamental rights, as Ireland prepares for the phased application of the EU’s new AI rules.
📢Motion re Childcare
This is a motion being put down by Sinn Féin’s and calls on the Government to take further action to reduce childcare costs. The motion looks to increase public investment in the sector, and a commitment to move towards a publicly funded childcare system. While the Government is expected to highlight recent increases in core funding and fee reductions under the National Childcare Scheme, the debate is likely to focus on the affordability of childcare for families. Also, expect questions again around the promises made by the Fine Gael ahead of the general election to lower childcare costs to €200 a month.
🗓️WEDNESDAY 1st July
📢Motion re Cost of Living
The Independent Technical Group will use its Private Members’ Business time this week to table a motion on the cost of living, keeping pressure on the Government over the ongoing financial challenges facing households. The motion is expected to call for additional targeted supports to address rising everyday costs. The debate is likely to see the Government point to recent cost-of-living measures and tax changes, while opposition TDs argue that further intervention is needed to ease financial pressures.
📢Statements on Ireland’s EU Presidency
The Dáil will hold statements this week on Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which begins on Wednesday. The debate will provide an opportunity for the Government to outline its priorities for the six-month Presidency, including advancing EU competitiveness, supporting the green and digital transitions, strengthening security and resilience, and responding to wider geopolitical challenges. TDs are expected to examine how Ireland intends to build consensus across the EU while promoting national interests during one of the Union’s key rotating leadership roles.
📢Parliamentary Questions: Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration
Minister Jim O’Callaghan will face questions here on a myriad of topics relating to his brief. There will likely be focus on the implementation of the International Protection Act 2026. TDs are also likely to raise the ongoing dispute over criminal legal aid fees, which has disrupted court sittings and prompted calls for a revised payment model for solicitors.
🗓️Thursday 2nd July
📢Parliamentary Questions: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
Minister Helen McEntee will also be taking questions on a host of topics relating to her brief. We can probably expect more questioning around the Governments stance on the triple lock and our readiness to host the EU presidency.
📢Parliamentary Questions: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Minister James Lawless is likely to face a lot of questioning as one academic year ends and students prepare for the next college year. We’ll probably see questioning around the growing demand for student accommodation, including measures to increase supply and reduce costs for students.
📢Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2026
This Bill comes before the Dáil for it’s Second Stage this week, with the Government presenting it as the latest step in its wider planning reform agenda. The Bill is expected to introduce targeted amendments to the recently overhauled planning framework, aimed at improving the efficiency of the planning system, providing greater legal clarity and supporting the delivery of housing and critical infrastructure. The Second Stage debate is likely to focus on whether the proposed changes strike the right balance between accelerating development, maintaining robust environmental protections and ensuring meaningful public participation in the planning process.
📢Animal Health and Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020
This Bill is entering into it’s Second Stage this week, renewing debate on the future of hare coursing in Ireland. It looks to prohibit the practice by amending existing animal welfare legislation, with supporters arguing that coursing causes unnecessary distress to animals and is inconsistent with modern welfare standards. Opponents of a ban have traditionally raised concerns around rural traditions, and the management of hare populations.
SEANAD SPOTLIGHT 🔦
In the Upper House this week a number of Bills will be debated including:
· The Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2025.
· The Guardianship of Infants and Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2026.
· The Criminal Justice (International Cooperation on Electronic Evidence and Other Matters) Bill 2026.
· The Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026, theDublin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Bill 2026.
· Finance Bill 2026.
· The National Treasury Management Agency (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026.
· Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026.
There will also be a motion put down re Electricity Supply.
Oireachtas Committees - Ones to Watch! 👀
🗓️TUESDAY
· The Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement will meet with Relatives for Justice / Bridge of Hope Ashton Community Trust.
· Enterprise Ireland and IBEC will be at the AI Committee.
· Impacts of water quality and pollution on sea and inland fisheries will be discussed at the Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs
· Social Housing Estate Regeneration will be debated at the Housing Committee.
· Measures to address the cost of financing business in Ireland in advance of Budget 2027 with a focus on taxation and spending measures will be the topic of choice at the Committee on Budgetary Oversight.
· The Committee on Agriculture and Food will launch of Report on Anaerobic Digestion.
· Minister Jim O Callaghan will be among those appearing before the Justice Committee on the topic of Criminal Legal Aid.
· Equality for Parenting Standards in Ireland around Benefits will be discussed at the Public Petitions Committee.
🗓️WEDNESDAY
· The National Transport Authority will appear before the Transport Committee.
· Irish Rail and Bus Eireann reps will give evidence on transport for persons with disabilities at the Committee on Disability Matters.
· The Master of the Rotunda and HSE reps will be among those appearing before the Health Committee to discuss Public Only Consultant Contract (POCC) in the Rotunda Hospital and in Cork University Maternity Hospital, and related issues arising.
· Minister Peter Burke will appear before the Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
🗓️THURSDAY
· The NTMA and the C&AG will appear before the Public Accounts Committee.
· A number of education bodies will appear before the Committee on Education and Youth to discuss Inclusive Education: Allocation, Roles, and Training Needs of Special Education Teachers (SETs) and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs).
· The Children’s Ombudsman will be among those appearing before the Committee on Children and Equality
· The Justice Committee will launch their Report on ‘Civil Legal Aid’.
Stay informed. Stay prepared. Stay strategic.
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