Press release
Government Legislation Programme Spring/Summer 2018
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
- Priority Legislation for Publication (49)
- Bills that are expected to undergo Pre-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) (33)
- All Other Legislation (74)
- Bills currently on the Dáil and Seanad Order Paper (23)
- Bills which were enacted since the Government came to office on 6th May 2016 (59)
- Bills which were published since the Government came to office on 6th May 2016 (61)
Commenting on the new legislative programme An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar said:
"We are planning a busy session ahead in the Oireachtas, where the Government will be prioritising legislation which makes a positive impact on people’s lives.
"While the legislative process may seem a little removed from your everyday life, the laws we pass through the Dáil and the Seanad allow us to make progressive changes which impact on every sector, such as health, housing and the environment and benefit working families and those who need additional supports.
"So for example, over the next number of months we will bring forward a number of pieces of legislation to boost our housing supply and improve tenants’ rights, we will make changes to ensure those on the Carers’ Allowance can access free GP care and we’ll bring forward measures to ensure the right infrastructure is in place for the National Broadband Plan.
"The Children’s Health Bill, which relates to the paediatric care which will be provided at the new Children’s Hospital, is also being published, and we will continue to progress the Public Health Alcohol Bill, which aims to reduce the harm caused by alcohol.
"All of these measures will benefit people right across the country, ensuring the work of Government has a real and tangible impact on our citizens."
Four Bills related to Housing, three to allow referendums in 2018 and two to introduce minimum sentences for repeated sex offenders are among 49 Bills for the new legislative programme approved by Cabinet today (Tuesday), Government Chief Whip Joe McHugh has announced.
Reforming residential tenants’ rights, providing a home building financial lender and keeping people in their homes are among the key Housing reforms.
Other new laws will provide for parent and student charters in all schools and the infrastructure required to complete the National Broadband Plan, said Minister of State McHugh.
Chief Whip McHugh says he is confident that the minority Fine Gael-led Government can make progress again in the new Spring/Summer legislative programme.
"I recently met with senior civil servants from across all Government Departments as well as the Attorney General and his staff and there are 49 new proposed laws being given priority by this Government over this new Oireachtas session.
"I will continue my work with colleagues in the Oireachtas to ensure we maintain our record in bringing in new laws which better our society.
"Since taking office in May 2016, this Government has passed 59 new laws, 28 of them since Leo Varadkar became Taoiseach on June 15. It’s important that we keep this momentum going especially for key legislation.
"Also among proposals is a scheme to make individual payments as a contribution towards transport costs to people with severe disabilities on a low income who cannot access public transport. There is also a proposal to give free GP care to those on Carers’ Allowance.
"The Gender Pay Gap Wage Transparency Bill, when enacted, will make it mandatory for companies to report differences in pay based on gender.
"I will also prioritise enacting a number of important Bills early in this term including the Domestic Violence Bill, Public Health (Alcohol) Bill, Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill, Data Protection Bill, the Children’s Health Bill, the Road Traffic Bill and Technological Universities Bill.
"These proposed new laws are key goals for this Government."
The Chief Whip, who is also Minister of State for Gaeilge, Gaeltacht and the Islands said the Irish Language Bill will also be published in this session.
