Dáil Me In!
Oireachtas Preview | 26th - 28th May
The Dáil gets two new TD’s following weekend Bye-Elections in Dublin Central and Galway West.
It’s been confirmed that Social Democrat Daniel Ennis and Fine Gael’s Sean Kyne can dive straight in and take their seats this week.
What can they expect? Well, we’re likely to see scrutiny of how the Government plans to manage rising pressure on public spending. This follows an announcement by Minister for Public Expenditure, Jack Chambers to impose a levy on Departments as a cost-saving measure and to reduce overspending.
Minister Chambers and Minister for Finance Simon Harris will both answer Parliamentary Questions and appear before an Oireachtas Committee this week, so loads of opportunities for debate around this.
Meanwhile, Minister for Media Patrick O’Donovan will also appear before a committee, with discussions expected to continue in the wake of last week’s controversy surrounding RTÉ and wider concerns about public service broadcasting governance.
There was talk last week on speeding up the Occupied Territories Bill following comments by the the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the treatment of Irish citizens involved in the Gaza flotilla. It’s currently not on the schedule, but one to keep an eye on.
Read on for a detailed breakdown of what’s happening across the board this week!
🗓️Tuesday 26th May
📢Dublin Transport Authority (Amendment) Bill 2026
This bill is now going into the Second Stage, so debate time! If implemented it will see a significant shift in how transport infrastructure is planned across the country. It looks to extend the National Transport Authority’s remit beyond the Greater Dublin Area, giving it a stronger national coordination role on major public transport projects and regional connectivity. Supporters argue the Bill is essential for accelerating projects like BusConnects and improving transport planning in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford, while critics are likely to raise concerns around centralisation and accountability.
📢Sinn Féin Motion re Cost of Disability
This is motion on the Cost of Disability is being tabled by Sinn Féin and brings renewed attention to the extra financial pressures faced by disabled people and their families amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The motion is expected to call on Government to introduce targeted supports and accelerate the long-promised Cost of Disability payment, arguing that many disabled people face unavoidable additional expenses in areas such as transport, heating, healthcare and personal assistance. While the Government has acknowledged these challenges and committed to reform through the Disability Action Plan, opposition parties are likely to argue that progress has been too slow and that existing supports remain inadequate.
📢Parliamentary Questions to the Minister for Finance
Questions to the Minister for Finance this week will be wide and varied but will he end up answering for the actions of Jack Chambers? The Minister for Public Expenditure has announced that plan to introduce a levy or financial penalty on Government departments that significantly overspend their budgets. Opposition TDs are likely to press the Minister on whether the proposal signals a wider breakdown in expenditure discipline across Government, especially as major infrastructure and health costs continue to rise.
🗓️Wednesday 27th May
📢Independent Technical Group Motion re Fiscal Planning Framework for Economic Certainty
This Independent Technical Group motion on a Fiscal Planning Framework for Economic Certainty is expected to centre on concerns about the long-term sustainability and transparency of Government spending policy amid continued economic uncertainty. The motion is likely to call for stronger fiscal rule and greater oversight of how windfall corporation tax revenues are used, particularly as Ireland faces pressure from international tax changes and global instability. Supporters will argue that a more robust planning framework is needed to protect public finances against future while the Government is expected to defend its existing fiscal strategy.
📢Statements on Ensuring our Skills, Training and Innovation systems keep pace in a changing world
These statements come in the light of the latest round of redundancies in the tech sector. META announced last week that 350 Irish jobs could be lost, as AI technology advances. Debate here is expected to focus on how the State prepares workers and businesses for rapid economic and technological change, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence. Ministers are likely to highlight ongoing investment in apprenticeships, higher education, lifelong learning and research funding, arguing that Ireland must remain competitive in attracting high-value industries and adapting to shifting labour market demands. Opposition may question whether current training systems are responding quickly enough to skills shortages and regional inequalities, particularly outside major urban centres.
📢Motion re Extension of Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021
This motion is expected to focus on retaining temporary legal measures introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly those relating to remote court hearings, electronic documentation and greater procedural flexibility within the justice system. Supporters argue that many of the reforms improved efficiency and access to justice, reducing delays and modernising court operations in ways that remain beneficial beyond the pandemic period. However critics may raise concerns around safeguards and ensuring that remote procedures do not disadvantage vulnerable participants or undermine due process.
📢Gas Safety (Amendment) Bill 2026
This bill returns for committee and remaining stages as the Government looks to strengthen oversight and enforcement powers relating to gas installation and safety standards. The legislation is expected to update existing regulatory frameworks, and introduce tougher penalties for breaches that could endanger public safety. Ministers are likely to argue that the Bill is necessary to reflect changing energy infrastructure and maintain confidence in gas safety systems, while opposition parties may scrutinise whether the proposals go far enough on consumer protection, enforcement resources and accountability.
📢Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill 2024
This Bill 2024 is now returns is no headed for report and final stages as the Government move to make reforms at the regional development authority for Gaeltacht areas. The Bill is expected to include changes relating to board structures, accountability measures and the organisation’s role in supporting economic development and the Irish language in Gaeltacht communities. Ministers are likely to present the legislation as part of a broader commitment to sustainable rural development and language preservation.
🗓️Thursday 28th May
📢Parliamentary Questions to the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation
Following questions to Simon Harris earlier in week, Jack Chambers will have a chance to answer for himself here in relation to his new plans for put impose an overspending levy on departments. He will also answer wider questions pertaining to his brief.
📢Parliamentary Questions to Minister for Education and Youth
Coincidentally, the Department of Education is one of those overspending. However, expect questions here to centre on mounting concerns around special education provision, school capacity and staffing pressures. TDs are expected to press the Minister on delays in opening autism classes and shortages of special school places.
📢Government Business: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2026
RTÉ’s appearance before the media committee last week drew a lot of attention and intense questioning. The Dáil will this week continue to debate public broadcasting as this bill moves onto second stage. It will centre on the Government’s efforts to modernise media regulation and strengthen the long-term sustainability of Ireland’s public service and commercial broadcasting sectors. It’s likely to address funding structures for public service broadcasting, and reforms to the broadcasting levy. Expect robust debate around this one!
📢Public Health (Alcohol) (Amendment) Bill 2025
This bill is likely to renew a familiar and politically charged debate on alcohol advertising and public health regulation. It will revisit outstanding elements of the wider Public Health (Alcohol) Act, including restrictions on advertising near schools and sports grounds, clearer health warning labels on alcohol products, and potential adjustments to implementation timelines that have been under pressure from industry and some political stakeholders. Ministers are expected to argue that the measures are necessary to reduce harmful drinking patterns and protect public health, particularly among younger people. However we may also hear concerns from other section of the chamber about impacts on the hospitality sector and advertising restrictions in a challenging economic environment. The debate reflects the ongoing balance between public health objectives and commercial interests in Irish alcohol policy.
Seanad Spotlight 🔦
In the Upper House this week we will see statements on Student Accommodation and Supports. There will be motions tabled regarding Rents, on the appointment of Ordinary Members of An Coimisiún Toghcháin, and the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
There will also be a debate around a number of Bills including, The International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill 2026, the Garda Síochana (Powers) Bill 2026, the Garda Síochana (Recording Devices) Bill 2025 and the Arbitration (Amendment) Bill 2025.
There will also be a Special Address to Seanad Éireann by MEPs representing the European Parliament Midlands-North-West Constituency.
Oireachtas Committees - Ones to Watch! 👀
🗓️Tuesday
· The Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs will launch its reports on Sea-Fisheries Protection
· Reps from Tailte Éireann will appear before the Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage
· Minister for Finance, Simon Harris and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers will appear before the Committee on Budgetary Oversight
· Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill will give evidence to the Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement
🗓️Wednesday
· Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development will hear from the Irish Council on Civil Liberties and Age Action on Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Social Welfare and Other Matters Bill 2026.
· Minister Alan Dillon will appear before the Committee on Disability Matters to discuss access to employment for persons with disabilities.
· The Chief Executive, Transport Infrastructure Ireland will appear before the Transport Committee.
· The future of maternity services will be discussed at the Health Committee.
· Minister Patrick O’Donovan, will appear before the Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport
· Minister Robert Troy will give evidence to the Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach
· The Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science will engage in pre-legislative scrutiny of the Technological Universities All Island University Group (Amendment) Bill 2026.
· Energy Storage Ireland will appear before the Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy.
· The GAA will appear before the Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery to discuss the importance of social and community infrastructure, and the GAAs recently published report on demographic changes.
· The Committee on European Union Affairs will discuss EU-Africa Relations, EU Development Aid and related matters
· Meat Industry Ireland will appear before the Committee on Agriculture and Food
· Minister Hildegarde Naughton will appear before the Committee on Education and Youth
🗓️Thursday
· There will be a discussion on the strategic priorities identified by the Chairpersons of Tusla and the Adoption Authority of Ireland in their roles at the Committee on Children and Equality
· The CCPC and the Comptroller and Auditor General will appear before the Public Accounts Committee.
Stay informed. Stay prepared. Stay strategic.
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