Dáil Me In!
Oireachtas Preview | 24th - 26th March 2026
The ongoing energy crisis and the measures being introduced to mitigate rising costs and supply pressure are set to loom large over proceedings this week, both directly and in the background of wider debates.
It’s been hinted that substantial excise cuts are in store and could last longer than previously thought. Hauliers could be getting a rebate scheme and a double fuel allowance payment might be on the way for those who are most in need. All is expected to be revealed on Tuesday.
Against that backdrop, there’s also a packed midweek agenda in Leinster House which brings a mix of legacy justice issues, public service scrutiny, and Government statements on football. Appropriate for the week that’s in it!!
Also, It’s worth keeping an eye on the committees, Ryanair’s Michael O’ Leary is getting his go in the Transport Committee in relation to the Dublin Airport passenger cap bill and CHI will be giving an update on how the preparations are going ahead of the opening of the new National Children’s Hospital.
🗓️Tuesday 24th March
📢International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill 2026 — Second Stage
This bill, if passed, will allow Irish-based witnesses, including current and former members of An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, senior officials, and former Ministers, to give evidence to the Omagh Bombing Inquiry in the UK, while updating existing international justice cooperation laws.
In presenting the bill to the Dáil, Minister for Justice Jim O’ Callaghan described it as ‘another important milestone in delivering on the Government’s commitment to facilitating and supporting the work of the Omagh Inquiry’. The Minister also said that he is committed to its enactment before the Inquiry’s evidential hearings.
📢Sinn Féin Motion re Cancer Services
Sinn Féin are set to publish proposals on Tuesday for a new cancer strategy for Ireland.
In conjunction with this they will bring proposals to the Dáil for improving cancer outcomes and ending what they describe as the postcode lottery in access to cancer care. The party’s spokesperson on health, David Cullinane, will tell the Dáil that “there is not a family that cancer has not touched. Despite improvements in cancer survival, cancer-related deaths account for 30% of deaths in Ireland. It is essential that we continue to develop cancer services to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. We should reflect on this today, on Daffodil Day.”
📢Parliamentary Questions: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Minister James Lawless will take questions in the Dáil.
The student accomodation shortages and the cost-of-living for students will likely feature strongly here!
🗓️Wednesday 25th March
📢Labour Party Motion re An Garda Síochána
This is a motion on the overall governance of Gardaí and follows the decision of the DPP to not prosecute another three Limerick Gardai on perverting the course of justice.
Labour’s justice spokesperson Alan Kelly TD said it is now time for the Minister for Justice enact an enquiry and to review the overall Governance on Garda Siochana during the previous commissioners tenure.
📢Government Business: Statements on Football
The Government will want these statements to be about this ⬆️, and wishing the lads ‘good luck’ for the game on Thursday. However opposition TD’s say this debate has been long coming and will take a more serious tone.
It stems from the scenes of flares being thrown onto the pitch in Dundalk and the Minister for Sport Patrick O’ Donovan’s reaction to that. Alos, expect wider statements on investment in grassroots football, women’s football and League of Ireland.
📢Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Section 4(2)) (Scheme Termination Date) Order 2026
Despite the long, complicated title, put simply this debate is in relation to the motion seeking to extend the financial contribution scheme for households hosting Ukrainian refugees, which is currently slated to expire on March 31, 2026.
The proposed order will extend the scheme until 31 March 2027, aligning it with the extension of the EU Temporary Protection Directive. However, the scheme is being wound down and the tax-free monthly payment will be reduced from €600 to €400.
📢Government Business: Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026 - Report and Final Stages
Right now, under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, there’s a deadline for the court to formally decide whether someone lacks decision-making capacity. In some ongoing wardship cases, that deadline is about to run out and it won’t be possible to meet it in time.
This Bill is about giving courts a bit more time in certain cases involving people who may not have the capacity to make decisions for themselves.
🗓️Thursday 26th March
📢Parliamentary Questions: Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
Either Minister Dara Calleary or his Minister of State Jerry Buttimer will be taking questions in relation to rural and Gaeltacht affairs.
Expect the usual topical issues to spill over here, including housing. Protests and demonstrations took place only recently raising concerns around a lack of housing in the Gaeltacht and how this is affecting the Irish language.
📢Parliamentary Questions: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
Minister Helen McEntee will be most likely be faced with a barrage of questions mostly relating to the war in Iran and the impact this is having on Irish people based across the Gulf States.
TD’s will also be seeking updates on travel, and when airlines may resume operations between Ireland and parts of the region.
📢Government Business: Statements on the Bessborough Development
The Dáil will debate the future of the Bessborough Mother and Baby Home site in Cork. This follows concern and upset expressed at the decision to grant planning approval to build apartments on the site in in Ballinure, Blackrock.
The result of this may have implications for planning and future construction work on the site.
📢Private Members’ Bill: Organisation of Working Time (Leave for Health Screening Purposes) Bill 2025 - Second Stage
It’s only at the second stage but if it gets the go ahead this bill would allow employees take up to three days of paid leave for health screenings, with partial days recorded as half-days.
It would specifically cover the HSE screening programmes: BreastCheck, CervicalCheck, BowelScreen but could also include other screenings recommended by a registered doctor.
For employers, this would mean planning for up to three days of paid leave per employee for health screenings, which could create some short-term staffing and scheduling pressures but it also supports a healthier workforce and may reduce longer-term absenteeism.
Seanad Spotlight 🔦
In the Upper House this week we can expect debate on the motion seeking to extend the financial contribution scheme for households hosting Ukrainian refugees. Protection of Employees (Employers’ Insolvency) (Amendment) Bill 2025 will enter its remaining stages. There will be a Motion re Data Protection Act 2018. The International Protection Bill will enter its report and final stages. We’ll see a Motion re a Constitutional Referendum to specify the number of members of Dáil Éireann and the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026 will also be up for debate here.
Oireachtas Committees - Ones to Watch 👀
🗓️Tuesday
Representatives from the Courts Service will be before the AI Committee.
The Transport Committee has a big one - the Dublin Airport passenger cap is up for discussion. DAA reps including the CEO and Deputy CEO are there to answer questions, as well as the Irish Aviation Authority.
The teaching of Irish in L2 primary schools and the practice of granting exemptions is on the agenda at the Committee on Irish Language.
The Irish Refugee Council and FLAC will be among the bodies before the Justice Committee on the Civil Law Bill 2025.
The Housing Committees will hear from a number of representatives on the current housing crisis in Gaeltacht areas.
🗓️Wednesday
Children’s Health Ireland will be before the Health Committee to update on preparations to bring the new National Children’s Hospital into use.
Michael O’ Leary is int he Transport Committee on the Dublin Airport Passenger Cap.
The Education Committee with discuss the needs of visually impaired students.
The Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy will engage with a number of different bodies including Engineers Ireland and ESRI on rebalancing Irelands Energy Policy.
Minister Charlie McConalogue will appear before Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport.
Larysa Gerasko, Ambassador, Embassy of Ukraine will update the Foreign Affairs Committee on the current situation in Ukraine.
Progress on the implementation of the Report on the Commission on the Defence Forces is up for discussion in the Committee on Defence.
🗓️Thursday
The Irish University Association will be among those discussin the content of University courses before the Committee on Higher Education.
Inland Fisheries Ireland will be before PAC.
Stay informed. Stay prepared. Stay strategic.
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