Bills
367 bills tracked. What do the stages mean?
Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2016
19 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Jim O'Callaghan
- Establishes independent Judicial Appointments Commission to recommend candidates for judicial office based solely on merit, replacing the current Judicial Appointments Advisory Board.
- Commission must rank and recommend three candidates per vacancy; government must publish reasoned explanation if it nominates someone not recommended by Commission.
- Raises barristers' and solicitors' required standing for Superior Court appointment from 12 to 15 years; extends District Court judges' retirement age from 65 to 70.
Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2019
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed John Curran
- Criminalises purchasing controlled drugs from a child, regardless of quantity involved.
- Criminalises causing a child to possess controlled drugs for sale or supply.
- Hybrid offences: District Court penalties up to €3,000 and/or 12 months; Circuit Court up to 10 years and/or fine.
Planning and Development (Amendment) (First-Time Buyers) Bill 2019
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Darragh O'Brien
- Amends Planning and Development Act 2000 to let local authorities set aside up to 30% of residential zoned land exclusively for first-time home buyers.
- Requires local authorities to separately assess build-to-rent housing needs in their housing strategies, distinct from other residential requirements.
- Allows local authorities to exempt build-to-rent developments from standard requirements if they meet housing strategy rental targets.
Firearms and Offensive Weapons (Amendment) Bill 2019
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Jim O'Callaghan
- Increases maximum prison sentence for illegally carrying knives in public from 5 to 10 years under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990.
- Applies to knives intended to cause injury, incapacitate or intimidate persons, or flick knives carried without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.
- Aims to deter knife carrying following increased seizures and recent stabbings, including fatal incidents involving young people.
Civil Liability and Courts (Amendment) Bill 2019
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Michael McGrath
- Requires plaintiffs to pay defendant's legal costs when their fraudulent case is dismissed under Section 26, unless court finds this unjust.
- Increases maximum fine District Court can impose for civil liability offences from €3,000 to €5,000 (class A fine).
- Amends Criminal Justice Act 1951 to align maximum fine limits with increased District Court penalties.
Road Traffic (All Terrain Vehicle and Scrambler Motor-cycle) (Amendment) Bill 2019
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed John Lahart
- Allows gardaí to seize ATVs and scramblers without number plates based on suspicion or photographic evidence.
- Increases penalty for supplying these vehicles to minors from €3,000 fine to €5,000 or confiscation, plus possible 6-month imprisonment.
- Creates new offence of dangerous riding of ATVs or scramblers in public places with confiscation as penalty; permits seizure from driveways.
Retention of Records Bill 2019
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed
- Records from three child abuse redress bodies transfer to National Archives; sealed and inaccessible for minimum 75 years from transfer date.
- After 75-year sealing period, Minister may make regulations permitting access, with regard for survivors' well-being; requires parliamentary approval.
- Amends three Acts to enable retention instead of disposal; exempts transferred records from Freedom of Information Act 2014.
Treatment of Cancer (Advertisements) Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Kate O'Connell
- Bans advertisements offering cancer treatments or remedies, or suggesting medical consultation is unnecessary, across all media including internet and social media.
- Makes publishing prohibited cancer treatment ads a criminal offense prosecuted by Health Products Regulatory Authority, with court-imposed fines and/or imprisonment.
- Requires Authority to review the Act's operation within 18 months and report findings to Parliament within 12 months of review completion.
Housing (Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability) Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Willie O'Dea
- Makes housing adaptation grants more accessible for people with disabilities who qualify for them.
- Addresses application processes and eligibility procedures for disability-related home modifications.
- Bill lapsed during Second Stage; did not become law.
Just Transition (Worker and Community Environmental Rights) Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Catherine Martin
- Creates National Just Transition Commission to coordinate workers, communities, employers, and government in planning Ireland's shift to low-carbon economy.
- Requires certain bodies to prepare just transition plans ensuring fair treatment of workers and communities during economic transformation.
- Amends Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015; expands Commission's powers for related policy implementation.
Statute Of Limitations (Amendment) Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Jack Chambers
- Amends Statute of Limitations Act 1957 to allow thalidomide-affected persons extra time to bring legal action for injuries caused by maternal thalidomide ingestion.
- Removes or extends the normal deadline restrictions for people disabled by thalidomide exposure in the womb to sue for compensation.
- Bill did not complete passage through Dáil before dissolving; would have required re-introduction in new session to proceed further.
Shared Maternity Leave and Benefit Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Lisa Chambers
- Amends maternity laws to allow parents to share maternity leave entitlements between them instead of one parent taking all leave.
- Modifies the Maternity Protection Acts 1994 and 2004, and Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 to enable shared leave arrangements.
- Bill lapsed during Second Stage; status as of latest information indicates it did not progress to law.
Industrial and Provident Societies (Amendment) Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Thomas Pringle
- Bill would amend the 1893 Industrial and Provident Societies Act to update rules governing co-operatives and mutual societies.
- Specific amendments and connected matters not detailed in long title; original Act text needed to clarify practical changes.
- Bill lapsed during Second Stage; did not progress to law.
Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) (Amendment) Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Jim O'Callaghan
- Amends 2017 Victims of Crime Act to require victims of sexual violence, gender-based violence, or violence in close relationships receive information and legal advice from state-funded solicitors during investigations.
- Solicitor-provided advice must explain investigation process, witness statement requirements, disclosure rights of accused, victim cross-examination, and timeline for criminal proceedings.
- Aims to increase victim support and complaints by providing early-stage legal guidance to victims navigating investigation and potential prosecution processes.
Civil Liability and Courts (Amendment) Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Billy Kelleher
- Amends the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004, but specific changes are not detailed in the provided information.
- Bill lapsed during Second Stage, meaning it did not progress to law and is no longer active.
- Exact practical effects cannot be determined without access to the bill's substantive provisions or amendments proposed.
Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) (Amendment) Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed John Brassil
- Amends 2013 Act to set specific criteria for orphan drugs when deciding whether HSE adds them to the Reimbursement List.
- Orphan medicines (treating rare diseases) get defined assessment rules instead of general evaluation process.
- Bill lapsed during Second Stage; did not become law.
Maternity Protection (Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas) Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Anne Rabbitte
- Provides maternity leave entitlements for female members of the Irish Parliament (Dáil and Seanad).
- Allows female TDs and senators to take leave during pregnancy and after childbirth without losing their seat.
- Bill lapsed before completion; did not become law. Specific leave duration and conditions were not finalised.
Gambling Control Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Anne Rabbitte
- Creates a licensing and regulatory framework for gambling activities across Ireland.
- Establishes rules governing how gambling businesses must operate and be supervised.
- Bill did not complete parliamentary process; status is lapsed as of submission date.
Finance (Office of Tax Simplification) Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Michael McGrath
- Creates a temporary Office of Tax Simplification lasting five years to advise the Finance Minister on tax policy matters.
- Bill did not progress beyond Second Stage debate and lapsed without becoming law.
- Would have established an advisory body focused on simplifying Ireland's tax system for the Minister.
Social Welfare (Payment Order) (Amendment) Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Willie O'Dea
- Extends Maintenance Recovery Unit's powers to seek court Payment Orders for jobseeker transitional payments to single parents.
- Allows State to recover costs from 'liable relatives' through District Court applications for these specific welfare payments.
- Bill lapsed; did not proceed beyond Second Stage debate.
Bail (Amendment) Bill 2017
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Jim O'Callaghan
- Makes it mandatory for courts to refuse bail for serious offences when necessary to prevent further serious crimes, removing current judicial discretion.
- Requires courts to refuse bail for burglary/aggravated burglary in dwellings if applicant has prior burglary conviction within 5 years or multiple pending burglary charges.
- Introduces electronic monitoring as a mandatory bail condition for persons charged with burglary/aggravated burglary in dwellings.
Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Bill 2017
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Dara Calleary
- Amends Comptroller and Auditor General law to give supervisory powers over state infrastructure spending.
- Grants new authority to monitor and oversee how public money is spent on infrastructure projects.
- Bill lapsed before completion; did not become law.
Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Bill 2017
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed John Brady
- Removes specific functions from the Citizens Information Board; details of which functions are not specified in available text.
- Amends the Comhairle Act 2000; practical effect of amendments not detailed in provided information.
- Bill lapsed before completion; never became law. Sponsor: John Brady.
Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill 2017
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Niall Collins
- Amends the 2007 Consumer Protection Act to add rules governing gift vouchers and their use.
- Specifies regulations for gift vouchers; details of those regulations not available from title alone.
- Bill lapsed without becoming law; status as of review date was Second Stage in Dáil.