Dáil Me In!
Oireachtas Preview | 7th - 9th July
After the pomp and ceremony of Ireland’s EU Council Presidency launch, it’s back to the normal in the Dáil this week as we quickly approach summer recess.
The Occupied Territories Bill returns for what will be another heated debate while Sinn Féin’s call to begin planning for Irish unity and the Social Democrats’ push for better housing options for adults with intellectual disabilities are among the key items on the agenda.
We should find out more about MetroLink planning this week as it’s being discussed across a couple of committees, also RTÉ reps will make an appearance before the Public Accounts committee.
Here’s what to watch out for this week…..
🗓️Tuesday 7th July
📢Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2026
One of the most contentious pieces of legislation to pass through the Dáil in recent times, this Bill enters is into report and final stages. Despite cross-party criticism that the occupied territories Bill has been “gutted” by being limited to a ban on trade in goods from the occupied territories, the legislations is expected to be passed soon as it enters these final stages. Expect more robust debate on this.
📢Postal and Telecommunications Services (Amendment) Bill 2026
This Bill is now at debate stages and focuses on proposed changes to Ireland’s postal and telecommunications framework. The Bill received attention for its potential impact on the delivery of essential communications services, and consumer protections. The Second Stage debate will provided TDs with an opportunity to examine the Bill’s overall principles before it proceeds to more detailed scrutiny in later stages.
📢Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of Council Decision (EU) 2023/1076 with regard to matters related to judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement
A snappy title for this motion which is being put down as part on Government business. Basically, this would enable Ireland to participate in elements of the EU measure that strengthen cross-border judicial cooperation while safeguarding the rights of people looking for international protection, including the prohibition on returning individuals to countries where they face persecution or serious harm. The debate is part of Ireland’s ongoing implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum.
📢Planning for Constitutional Change Bill 2026
This Sinn Féin Bill enters debate stage and is looking to place preparations for the possibility of Irish reunification on a statutory footing. The Bill would require the Taoiseach to publish a Green Paper within 12 months setting out options and proposals for constitutional change, covering issues such as public services, the economy, governance, taxation and human rights. It also provides for the establishment of a Citizens’ Assembly, bringing together voices from across the island, including unionist and Protestant communities, to examine the practical implications of constitutional change. Supporters argue that planning is a responsible obligation under the Good Friday Agreement, while opponents are expected to question the timing and priorities of the legislation.
📢Parliamentary Questions: Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation
TDs are expected to press Minister Jack Chambers on the Government’s spending priorities ahead of Budget 2027, with particular scrutiny on whether strong corporation tax receipts are being translated into sustainable long-term investment. The Minister may also face questions on public sector recruitment, and efforts to improve value for money across Government departments.
🗓️Wednesday 8th July
📢Motion re A Place Called Home for Adults with an Intellectual Disability
The Social Democrats will bring forward this motion calling on the Government to improve housing and support options for adults with intellectual disabilities, many of whom continue to live with ageing parents or in inappropriate settings due to a lack of suitable accommodation. Drawing on the A Place Called Home campaign, the motion is expected to urge increased investment in disability housing, stronger cross-departmental planning, and greater urgency in ensuring disabled adults can live independently in their communities with the supports they need. The debate is likely to focus on the Government’s progress in implementing disability and housing commitments, as well as the broader challenges facing disability services.
📢Statements and Q&A on the European Council meeting of 18–19 June 2026
TD’s will question the Taoiseach on the outcomes of the June European Council, with discussion expected to focus on the EU’s response to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, European defence and security cooperation, migration, and the bloc’s economic competitiveness. Members are also likely to raise Ireland’s position on EU commitments, as well as seeking clarity on any commitments made by the Government during the summit and their implications for Ireland.
📢Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill 2025
Back from the Seanad with amendments, this legislation is designed to expand and clarify the use of recording technologies by An Garda Síochána. The Bill forms part of the Government’s wider efforts to modernise policing powers and provide a clearer legal basis for the use of body-worn cameras and other recording devices in the investigation and prevention of crime. Debate at this stage is expected to focus on the balance between enhancing public safety and protecting privacy rights, as well as the safeguards governing the storage, access and oversight of recorded material.
📢Finance Bill 2026
The Dáil will consider amendments made by the Seanad to the Finance Bill 2026, which gives legal effect to the taxation and financial measures announced in the Budget. At this stage, TDs will decide whether to accept or reject changes proposed by Senators before the Bill can complete its passage through the Oireachtas. While the Seanad considered a number of amendments during its deliberations, none made substantial changes to the Bill’s core tax measures, with the legislation continuing to implement the Government’s package of income tax, business taxation and other fiscal reforms agreed during the budget process. Debate will more than likely focus more on the overall direction of Government tax policy than on the Seanad amendments themselves.
📢Housing and Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026
This Bill is now at Report and Final Stages providing the last opportunity for TD’s to debate and amend the legislation before it moves to the Seanad. The Bill contains a range of measures aimed at strengthening tenant protections and improving the operation of the residential tenancies system. Debate is likely to focus on the effectiveness of the Government's latest rental reforms, the balance between the rights of tenants and landlords, and whether the legislation goes far enough to address affordability and security of tenure amid the ongoing housing crisis.
📢Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2026
The Dáil will consider this Bill through Committee and Remaining Stages, with the legislation intended to make targeted changes to Ireland’s planning framework following the enactment of the Planning and Development Act 2024. The Bill introduces a number of technical and operational amendments aimed at improving the implementation of the new planning system. Debate is expected to centre on whether the changes will help speed up planning decisions and housing delivery while maintaining appropriate environmental safeguards and opportunities for public participation in the planning process.
🗓️Thursday 9th July
📢Parliamentary Questions: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Minister Martin Heydon should take questions here and could face scrutiny on the impact of the prolonged spell of hot, dry weather on farming, with TDs likely to seek an update on fodder supplies, and any supports being considered for affected farmers. Members may also press the Minister on the rollout of agri-environment schemes, CAP payments and the Government’s response to ongoing concerns over farm incomes. In addition, recent animal disease risks in Europe and Ireland’s biosecurity preparedness are likely to feature, alongside questions on measures to support the beef and dairy sectors amid continued market uncertainty.
📢Parliamentary Questions: Minister for Health
With trolley numbers fairly high for summer, and health unions highlighting this across the airwaves last week, Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill is likely to face questions on emergency department overcrowding, hospital waiting lists and the HSE’s capacity to manage increased demand. In light of recent public concern, TD’s may also raise issues around children’s healthcare, and the implementation of Sláintecare reforms. With Budget 2027 preparations under way, the Minister is also expected to be pressed on funding priorities, workforce recruitment and retention, and plans to expand capacity ahead of the winter period.
📢Statements on Dementia
The Dáil will hold statements on dementia, providing an opportunity for TDs to discuss the growing impact of dementia across Ireland as the population ages and demand for care services increases. Debate is expected to focus on the availability and consistency of community-based supports and the pressures on residential care and nursing homes. Members are also likely to highlight the challenges facing family carers, including respite provision and financial supports, while calling for clearer implementation timelines for the National Dementia Strategy and related Sláintecare commitments.
📢Health (Provision of Contraception Prescribing Service in Retail Pharmacy Businesses) Bill 2026
This Bill is now going into debate stage and will look to draw up legislation to allow trained pharmacists to prescribe and supply certain contraceptive medicines directly from community pharmacies, expanding access without the need for a GP appointment in eligible cases. The Bill forms part of the Government’s wider strategy to improve access to sexual and reproductive healthcare and make contraception more accessible. Debate is expected to focus on patient safety, the scope of pharmacists’ prescribing powers, training and clinical governance arrangements, and the role the measure could play in improving timely access to contraception, particularly in underserved areas.
📢Social Housing Passport Bill 2026
This Bill, which is at second stage, proposes the creation of a “social housing passport” to allow approved applicants to retain their place on a social housing waiting list when moving between local authority areas. Supporters argue the measure would make the system fairer and more flexible by removing barriers for people who need to relocate for work, education, caring responsibilities or other personal circumstances, without having to restart the application process. Debate is expected to focus on improving mobility within the social housing system, the administrative implications for local authorities, and the broader challenge of meeting housing demand across the country.
Seanad Spotlight 🔦
A huge number of Bills are moving through the Upper House this week, including:
· Development (Strategic Gas Reserve) Bill 2026
· Finance Bill 2026
· Criminal Justice (International Cooperation on Electronic Evidence and Other Matters) Bill 2026
· Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025
· Insurance (Disregard of Certain Medical History and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025
· National Treasury Management Agency (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026
· Dublin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Bill 2026
· Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026
· Protection of Children (Online Age Verification) Bill 2026
· Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2026
· Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2026
· Housing and Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026
Oireachtas Committees - Ones to Watch! 👀
🗓️Tuesday
· Chambers Ireland will appear before the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade.
· The current bail laws in Ireland will be discussed at Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
· Social housing stock will be under the spotlight 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 is on the agenda at the Budgetary Oversight Committee.
· There’ll be a briefing on the draft scheme of MetroLink Bill 2026 at the Transport Committee.
🗓️Wednesday
· Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development will engage with numerous bodies on pre-budget submissions.
· How hospital emergency departments respond to patients presenting with mental health issues will be discussed at the Health Committee.
· The EPA will appear before the Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy to discuss Ireland’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections 2025-2030.
· Inclusive Education: Allocation, Roles, and Training Needs of Special Education Teachers (SETs) and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) is on the Agenda at the Education Committee.
· Boxing Ireland’s Organisational Structure and an update on Governance, Corporate and Sporting Policies will be discussed at the Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport
· Consumer impact on the emergence of buy now pay later companies and their operations providing credit within the Irish Market will be discussed at Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach.
· The NTA and Metrolink will appear before the Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery.
· Hemp production is the topic of choice at the Committee on Agriculture and Food.
· Focus Ireland will be among those at the Committee on European Union Affairs to discuss EU Emissions Trading Systems.
· Traveller accommodation is being discuss at the Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community
🗓️Thursday
· Sexual Violence and Harassment Policies and Procedures in Higher Education Institutions is on the agenda again at the Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
· RTÉ reps will appear before the Public Accounts Committee.
· The Committee on Children and Equality will engage with the Children’s Residential and Aftercare Voluntary Association.
Stay informed. Stay prepared. Stay strategic.
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