Dáil Me In!
Oireachtas Preview | 14th - 16th July 2026
It’s the final week in Leinster House before the summer recess, and there’s no shortage of business to get through before TDs and Senators head off for the break.
That said, it may be what’s not on the agenda that attracts the most attention. The findings of the Aughinish Alumina investigation are now not expected until after the Dáil rises. It’s likely this will continue to be questioned by opposition TD’s.
Significantly, the Government will deliver a formal State apology to the survivors of Bill Kenneally following the publication of the South East Commission of Investigation Report.
Elsewhere, road safety is set to dominate committee business. The Garda Commissioner will appear before two Oireachtas committees this week. First before the Justice Committee to discuss scrambler bikes and public safety, and later before the Transport Committee for a broader discussion on road safety.
Over in the Seanad, it’s also a packed final week, with a heavy Government legislative agenda as Senators race to wrap up business before the House adjourns until September.
Here’s your breakdown of what’s happening in Leinster House this week.
🗓️Tuesday 14th July
📢Statement of Apology following the publication of the Report of the South East Commission of Investigation
The Government will deliver a formal State apology to the survivors of Bill Kenneally following the publication of the South East Commission of Investigation report. The report laid bare how repeated opportunities to stop Kenneally’s abuse of young boys in Waterford were missed, finding a “clear and serious dereliction of duty” by senior Gardaí and highlighting wider institutional failures. The Government will acknowledge the State’s failings and apologise to survivors and their families.
📢Domestic Violence Judgments Register Bill 2026
The Domestic Violence Judgments Register Bill 2026, is better known as Jennie’s Law, would allow judgments relating to serious domestic violence convictions to be published on a dedicated Courts Service register, with a victim’s consent and at the discretion of the trial judge. Named in memory of Jennifer Poole, who was murdered by her former partner in 2021, supporters say the measure will help people identify partners with a history of serious domestic violence, while the Government has stressed it forms part of a wider package of protections rather than a standalone solution.
📢Motion re Protecting the Copyright of Irish Artists in the era of Artificial Intelligence
Sinn Féin are putting down this motion which is calling for stronger protections for Irish artists and creators as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly capable of generating music, writing and artwork. The motion urges the Government to tighten copyright laws and ensure AI companies cannot use copyrighted material without permission or payment. While there is broad agreement that AI presents major challenges for the creative sector, the debate centres on how quickly Ireland should move to strengthen safeguards and enforce existing copyright protections.
📢Parliamentary Questions: Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
Minister Jerry Buttimer may take questions here. Scrutiny will likely focus on recently announced funding programmes, including the €20 million Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and the latest Local Enhancement Programme grants for community groups. TDs may also raise concerns from Gaeltacht organisations over the draft National Planning Statement, with campaigners warning that proposed changes to planning rules could weaken Irish-language protections and undermine efforts to sustain Gaeltacht communities.
🗓️Wednesday 15th July
📢Motion re Digital Divide and Back to School Costs
This Labour Party motion turns the spotlight on two pressures facing families ahead of the new school year: rising back-to-school costs and the growing digital divide. The party is calling for greater Government support to help parents meet the cost of uniforms, books and classroom essentials, alongside measures to ensure every child has access to a suitable digital device and reliable broadband for learning. With inflation continuing to squeeze household budgets and schools increasingly reliant on digital learning, the debate is expected to centre on whether existing supports are keeping pace with the real cost of education and the risk of disadvantaged students being left behind.
📢Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Section 9(2)) (Amount of Financial Contribution) Order 2025 (Revocation) Order 2026
This is a largely technical Government motion to scrap a 2025 order that set the level of a financial contribution under the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act. In simple terms, Ministers are hitting reset on the existing arrangements after deciding they need to be reworked. While it won’t grab many headlines, TDs are expected to ask why the original approach is being abandoned and what the replacement will look like.
📢Guardianship of Infants and Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2026
The Dáil will consider amendments from the Seanad in relation to this Bill, which aims to update the law around guardianship and decision-making for children. The Bill looks at areas including who can have a say in a child’s care and welfare, with the aim of making the system work better for families and reflect modern family life. TDs are likely to focus on whether the Seanad changes strengthen protections for children, support parents and guardians, and ensure the courts have the right tools to make decisions in a child’s best interests.
📢Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026
Amendments are back from the Seanad in relation to this Bill, a wide-ranging piece of legislation that bundles together a number of legal updates. The Bill covers a mix of areas, including changes to criminal law, civil law procedures and defence-related matters. As TDs consider the Seanad changes, debate is likely to focus on the detail of the amendments, whether they improve the legislation, and how the Government plans to put the new measures into practice.
📢The Health (Provision of Contraception Prescribing Service in Retail Pharmacy Businesses) Bill 2026
This moves to Committee and Remaining Stages this week, bringing further scrutiny of plans to expand access to contraception through pharmacies. The Bill would allow trained pharmacists to provide a wider contraception service directly in the community, making it easier for people to access care without needing a GP appointment. Debate is expected to focus on how the service will work in practice, training and safeguards for pharmacists, and whether the move will improve access to reproductive healthcare across the country.
🗓️Thursday 16th July
📢Parliamentary Questions: Minister for Education and Youth
Questions are likely to focus on the big issues facing schools and families as the new academic year approaches. TDs are expected to raise the ongoing pressure on parents around back-to-school costs, the availability of places for children with additional needs, and delays around supports such as the July Provision summer programme. There will also likely be questions on Special Needs Assistants (SNAs), school capacity, and whether investment is keeping pace with demand. The Minister may also face scrutiny over the Department’s handling of recent concerns from school communities and parents about access, funding and supports.
📢Parliamentary Questions Minister for Defence
Questions to the Minister for Defence are likely to focus on the ongoing overhaul of the Defence Forces, recruitment challenges and the Government’s plans for strengthening Ireland’s military capacity. TDs are expected to raise the pace of implementation of the Commission on the Defence Forces recommendations, the push to recruit and retain more personnel, and concerns around pay, working conditions and morale within the ranks.
📢Government Business: Statements on the Fiscal Implications of a United Ireland
The Dáil will debate Government statements on the fiscal implications of a United Ireland, bringing the economic side of the constitutional debate into focus. TDs are likely to discuss the potential costs, and practical challenges of any future change, including taxation, public spending, healthcare, pensions and public services north and south. The debate comes amid continued discussion around the future of the island, and a similar Sinn Féin motion last week.
📢The Waste Management (Single Household Waste Collection Service) Bill 2026
This bill which is at second stage is looking at how household waste is collected and charged for. The Bill would look at moving towards a single household waste collection service, with supporters arguing it could make the system fairer, and easier for households to navigate. The debate is likely to focus on waste charges, competition in the waste collection market, the role of private operators, and whether changes could reduce costs for families while still meeting Ireland’s recycling and climate targets.
Seanad Spotlight 🔦
In this Upper House this week a number of Bills will be debated ahead of recess, including:
· Postal and Telecommunications Services (Amendment) Bill 2026
· Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2026
· Housing and Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026
· Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026
· Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2026
· Health (Provision of Contraception Prescribing Service in Retail Pharmacy Businesses) Bill 2026
· Development (Strategic Gas Reserve) Bill 2026
Plus, there is a whole host of Government Business being rammed through in the final week:
· Motion re Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Section 9(2)) (Amount of Financial Contribution) Order 2025 (Revocation) Order 2026
· Motion re Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2026 - back from Committee
· Motion re Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No.2) Regulations 2026 - back from Committee
· Motion re Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No.3) Regulations 2026 - back from Committee
· Motion re Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No.4) Regulations 2026 - back from Committee
· Motion re Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No.5) Regulations 2026 - back from Committee
Oireachtas Committees – One to Watch! 👀
🗓️Tuesday
· Phoenix Education Centre will appear before the Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement
· The Garda Commissioner along with a number of other representative bodies will appear before the Justice Committee in relation to the ‘Use of Scrambler Bikes and Public Safety’
· Reform of Insurance for Thatched Heritage Properties, with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Department of Finance is the topic of choice at the Public Petitions Committee
🗓️Wednesday
· The Garda Commissioner will appear before the Transport Committee in relation to Road Safety
· The Committee on Disability Matters will discuss Ageing Complexity and Health Needs of People with Intellectual Disabilities
· The Irish Cancer Society will be among a number of bodies discussing Priorities for the next cancer strategy (including screening) and related matters at the Health Committee
· Plug-In Solar Technology and Regulation will be discussed at the Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy
· SIPTU reps will appear before the Committee on Further and Higher Education, on the Future of Carlow College, St. Patrick’s.
· Issues around Recruitment and Retention of Veterinary Nurses will be on the agenda at the Committee on Agriculture and Food
· Central Bank reps will appear before the Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach in relation to the Israeli Bond Programme, Ireland’s Fitness and Probity Enforcement System and Proposed plans to cut costs and jobs at the Central Bank of Ireland
🗓️Thursday
· The CEO of Tusla will appear before the Committee on Children and Equality in relation to Child Protection Matters and Special Care and Special Emergency Care Arrangements
· The National Transport Authority are appearing before the Public Accounts Committee.
· Inclusive Education: Allocation, Roles, and Training Needs of Special Education Teachers (SETs) and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) will be discussed at the Committee on Education and Youth
· The LEADER Programme and Rural Development will be presented by the Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development
· Traveller Accommodation will be discussed at the Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community
Stay informed. Stay prepared. Stay strategic.
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