Dáil Me In!
Oireachtas Preview | 12th-14th May 2026
The week ahead in Leinster House is set to be politically charged, with TDs debating everything from reproductive rights and Garda body cameras to road safety and sanctions on Israel.
Minister Jim O’ Callaghan is due to take parliamentary questions this week, so expect more scrutiny on those reported repatriation payment plans for Ukranian’s living in Ireland.
Emotive topics in the the Seanad also, with a motion on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence being debated.
Across the committees, as the cost of energy debate continues, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities will be giving evidence on energy prices, consumer protection and the role of regulation.
Also, the The Public Petitions Committee will consider a petition to ‘Declare One-Off National Holidays for World Cup Qualification Playoffs’. Not sure if it’s late to the party or getting in early!!
Read on for all the details on the goings-on in the Dáil this week!
🗓️Tuesday 12th May
📢Referral to Committee
A couple of bills will be forwarded to committee stage. The Flood Insurance Bill 2021 which aims to make it easier for homeowners and businesses in flood-prone areas to obtain insurance cover, especially where flood defences had already been built.
The Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2021 was introduced in the Dáil to amend the existing Veterinary Practice Act 2005. The Bill mainly focused on changing rules around who could perform certain veterinary procedures and how veterinary services were regulated here.
📢Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (Designation of Meath County Council) (Part of Administrative Area) Order 2026
Long title! Put simply this relates to a state support scheme for homeowners whose houses were damaged because of defective concrete blocks. The specific 2026 Order proposes to designate part of the administrative area of Meath County Council as eligible under the scheme. In practice, this means certain areas in County Meath could officially be included in the redress programme.
📢Government Business: Statements on International Nurses Day
Straight off the back of the Irish Nurses and Midwives conference last week, the Dáil will hear statements on International Nurses Day. Time will be used to highlight the excellent work carried out by nurses day in and day out. However, expect opposition to also criticise the Government and raise issues nurses were highlighting at their conference last week, including hospital overcrowding, tough working conditions and struggles with cost-of-living for those in the profession.
📢Electricity Regulations (Amendment) Bill 2026
This is a Sinn Féin Private members bill which will be debated at second stage. It focuses on changes to Ireland’s electricity regulation system. Issues like energy costs, consumer protections, regulation of electricity providers, and the role of the State in the energy market are being debated as part of this. Sinn Féin argue the Bill is intended to strengthen protections for households and businesses facing high electricity prices, however the Government question its cost, practicality, and possible impact on the wider energy sector.
📢Parliamentary Questions to the Minister for Higher Education, Research and Innovation
Minister James Lawless was coming under pressure last week from the Fine Gael spokesperson on Higher Education in relation to his plans relating to the reduction of third level fees. He’s also this week been critical around university admissions policies, expect more on these issues.
🗓️Wednesday 13th May
📢Reproductive Rights (Amendment) Bill 2026
This bill was introduced by the Social Democrats a couple of weeks ago, and now moves to second stage. It looks to update Irelands Abortion laws. During its introduction to the Dáil, Soc Dems Leader Holly Cairns said the bill would work to ‘close gaps’ in the current legislation. She told the Dáil “The reality is women are still travelling, still navigating crisis pregnancies far from home, far from their support networks, still being failed by a system that was meant to care for them. This bill will now be debated at second stage. Expect emotive exchanges.
📢Government Business: Statements on the National Safety Camera Strategy
The National Safety Camera Strategy sets out how technologies such as speed cameras, average-speed systems, red-light cameras, and other detection measures are used to reduce road deaths and serious incident. Government Statements on this will allow Ministers to outline policy plans, while opposition TDs will have their say. Unlike a Bill, this type of Dáil business is mainly a policy discussion and does not itself create new law, but it can influence future legislation.
📢Garda Síochána (Recording Devices)(Amendment) Bill 2025
The debate around body worn cameras by Gardaí has been knocking around for some time now and the bill to legislate for this is now entering its final stages. Discussion has centred on balancing effective policing and public safety with privacy rights, data protection, accountability, and oversight of Garda recording powers. Supporters argued the measures could improve evidence gathering and protection for both Gardaí and the public, while some have raised concerns around surveillance and a threat to civil liberties.
📢Government Business: Critical Infrastructure Bill
This bill is vital for the Government in terms of allowing the acceleration of the delivery of key state projects by creating a fast-track approval process for critical infrastructure, and it’s now entering is Final stages. It enables government designation of major projects such as energy, water, and transport for prioritised planning and consenting, effectively moving them to the top of the queue. The bill is supported by industry groups like Ibec, who argue it’s necessary to meet urgent housing and economic targets but the Committee Stage heard questions about the breadth of Ministerial power.
🗓️Thursday 14th May
📢Parliamentary Questions to the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration
Minister Jim O’ Callaghan is likely to be pressed here on reports over the weekend that there are plans that will see Ukrainian refugees living in Ireland receive payments from the Irish Government only once they return to their home country. Expect more on this plus other matters pertaining to his brief.
📢Parliamentary Questions to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Minister Martin Heydon is likely to take questions here. While it may have quietened down in the media we should still expect more grilling on targeted aid for farmers. The Minister will also likely face questions regarding the implementation of the fuel income support scheme. It all comes amid continued pressure regarding the impact of soaring oil prices.
📢Government Business: Industrial Development (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill
Minister Peter Burke secured Government approval for this legislation which aims to ensure agencies can move quickly and reduce ‘red tape’ in attracting investment. It will look to empower IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to accelerate investment, employment and regional development. The bill is moving to second stage, so this first time it will be debated in the chamber, and opposition will have their say.
📢Sanctions against the State of Israel Bill 2025
This bill was introduced by People Before Profit. It will enter second stage and be debated in the chamber for the first time. It aims to impose comprehensive economic sanctions on Israel to address allegations of international crimes, including genocide and apartheid. The primary difference between the this and and the Occupied Territories Bill lies in their scope and legal intent. While both target Israeli activity, they operate on different scales.
Seanad Spotlight 🔦
In the Upper House this week motions will be heard on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, and An Garda Síochana. There’ll be statements on The Action Plan for Insurance Reform and the International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill 2026 will be debated.
Oireachtas Committees – Ones to Watch! 👀
🗓️Tuesday
· The AI Committee will discuss Defence, Security and Cybersecurity.
· The Public Petitions Committee will make a host of considerations including a petition to Declare One-Off National Holidays for World Cup Qualification Playoffs.
· The Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade will discuss Peace Building in the Middle East - reflecting on Ireland’s peace process.
· Rape Crisis Ireland and Women’s Aid are among those who will contribute to detailed scrutiny of the Victims of Sexual Violence Civil Protection Orders Bill 2025 in the Justice Committee.
· The Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage will discuss Dublin Inner City Flat Complex Regeneration.
· The ESRI will be in the Budgetary Oversight Committee to discuss budgetary responses to the energy crisis and cost of living pressures.
· The Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development will continue Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Social Welfare and Other Matters Bill 2026.
🗓️Wednesday
· The Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport will launch its Report on the Regulation of online platforms, and supports to improve online safety and participation.
· Minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, Minister of State at the Department of Health, Department of Health will at the Health Committee to discuss the Public Health (Tonacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendement) Bill 2026.
· Data and AI in Disability will be discussed at the Committee on Disability Matters.
· Alcohol Action Ireland and medical reps will be among those giving evidence on road safety at the Transport Committee.
· Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science will discuss Accessibility and Assistive Technology with reps from the Rehab Group.
· The Commission for Regulation of Utilities will be giving evidence to the Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy on Energy Prices, Consumer Protection and the Role of Regulation.
· The Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport will hear from unions and reps about Engagement with An Post and An Post Unions on pension issues.
· Human rights groups will be among those giving evidence during pre-Legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme of a Data Bill 2025 in the Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
· Policy briefing on the Arterial Drainage Amendment Bill 2026 will be given at the Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery
· The Committee on European Affairs will discuss the findings of the 2026 European Movement Ireland EU Poll.
· The Head of IBEC and Irish Funds will be in attendance at the Finance Committee to discuss Proposed retail investment schemes and tax on deemed disposals.
· The Committee of Agriculture and Food will discuss Deer Management.
🗓️Thursday
· The NTMA will deliver financial statements to the Public Accounts Committee.
· The Health Committee will launch their report on Adult Safeguarding.
Stay informed. Stay prepared. Stay strategic.
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