Bills
1,098 bills tracked. What do the stages mean?
Broadcasting (Amendment) (Protection of Journalism) Bill 2019
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed David Cullinane
- Amends Broadcasting Act 2009 to make it a breach of contract or licence to prohibit National Union of Journalists members from communications media based on their occupational or employment status.
- Protects journalists from discrimination in broadcasting roles due to professional affiliation, employer, or employment status.
- Creates enforceable obligation on broadcasters holding contracts or licences under the Act not to exclude journalists for union membership or related reasons.
Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill 2019
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
- Requires trial judge permission before evidence about complainant's clothing at time of alleged offence can be admitted; judge may allow only if necessary for accused's fair trial rights.
- Gives complainants legal representation and right to be heard on applications to admit clothing evidence; prosecution must notify complainant of such applications.
- Strengthens protections for previous sexual history evidence by expanding complainant's legal representation rights across rape and sexual assault offences.
Waste Management (Amendment) (Regulator) Bill 2019
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed David Cullinane
- Requires the Minister to produce a report on appointing an independent regulator for domestic waste management, following a 2018 Competition and Consumer Protection Commission recommendation.
- Proposed regulator would licence waste firms, set prices where necessary, and enforce decisions through fines or sanctions.
- Amends the Waste Management Act 1996 by inserting new obligation for Minister to examine independent regulation of domestic waste sector.
Rent Freeze (Fair Rent) Bill 2019
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Eoin Ó Broin
- Amends Residential Tenancies Act 2004 to freeze rents for three years on all existing and new tenancies.
- Rent freeze can only be extended by vote in the Houses of the Oireachtas; Residential Tenancies Board will index-link rents to local areas.
- Directs Minister for Finance to commission report on costs and structure of introducing refundable tax relief for tenants alongside freeze.
Litter Pollution (Amendment) (Dog Litter Control) Bill 2019
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Seán Crowe
- Amends Litter Pollution Act 1997 to make it an offence for dog handlers in public to fail to produce a suitable bag when requested by dog wardens, litter wardens, or gardaí.
- Requires dog owners to carry a dog litter bag in public, similar to leash requirements, to ensure proper disposal of dog faeces and prevent disease transmission.
- Enforces immediate pickup and safe disposal of dog waste to address health risks including toxocariasis, a parasitic illness transmissible to humans.
Mandatory Beef Price Transparency Bill 2019
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Brian Stanley
- Minister for Agriculture must establish a program collecting daily cattle prices in euros per kilogram from processors.
- Processors report daily prices; Minister publishes this information at set intervals to create a beef market price index.
- Designated officers must report specific cattle and boxed beef information daily and weekly as outlined in the Act.
Health (Medical Entitlements in Nursing Homes) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Imelda Munster
- Amends Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990 to require Minister introduce regulations ensuring private nursing home residents keep medical card entitlements.
- Makes nursing home contracts subject to Competition and Consumer Protection Commission oversight; breaching medical card protection regulations becomes an offence.
- Increases maximum fines for Competition and Consumer Protection Act breaches from €30,000 to €50,000; applies to nursing home directors and bodies corporate.
Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Presidential Elections) Bill 2019
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed
- This bill aimed to amend Ireland's Constitution, but lapsed without becoming law.
- Bill focused on presidential elections; specific constitutional changes not detailed in provided information.
- Status: Did not progress past First Stage in the legislative process.
Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2019
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed
- Allows Broadcasting Authority to raise levy for working capital needs, not just current expenses, and extends levy to content provision contract holders to include new market entrants.
- Permits TV licence fee receipts to fund up to 50% of Broadcasting Authority expenses, with remainder from broadcaster levies, capped to ensure industry contribution.
- Creates grant scheme for journalists in local and community radio to promote professional journalistic practices, administered through Broadcasting Funding Scheme.
Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) (Amendment) Bill 2019
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Mattie McGrath
- Amends the 2000 Act to require the Minister to consider candidates' relevant knowledge, qualifications, or experience when appointing or reappointing Board members.
- Requires the Department Secretary General to apply the same consideration criteria when nominating a person to replace the Chief Surveyor if that office is vacant.
- Establishes that Board composition decisions must have regard to candidates' suitability for the Board's functions.
Regulation of Private Security Firms Bill 2019
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
- Amends Private Security Services Act 2004 to include persons enforcing court orders and repossession in regulated 'security services' definition.
- Brings court order enforcement and repossession personnel under Private Security Services Authority oversight for licensing, standards, and complaint investigation.
- Requires all entities involved in executing court orders to meet same regulatory standards as other security firms.
No Consent, No Sale Bill 2019
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Pearse Doherty
- Requires lenders to obtain written borrower consent before selling residential mortgages to third parties, making the Central Bank's voluntary code mandatory in law.
- Mandates lenders disclose specific information to borrowers and confirm the transferee will maintain identical arrears and interest rate policies, or obtain explicit separate consent.
- Exempts transfers only in extreme cases where the lender faces serious business difficulties meeting Central Bank standards for failing institutions.
Consumer Credit (Amendment) Bill 2018
14 Nov 2024 Committee Stage Lapsed Pearse Doherty
- Amends Consumer Credit Act 1995 to impose a maximum interest rate cap on moneylenders' charges.
- Specific cap rate and exemptions not detailed in title; bill lapsed at Committee Stage without enactment.
- Intended to protect consumers from excessive moneylending costs through legal rate restrictions.
Local Government (Water Pollution) (Amendment) Bill 2018
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Martin Kenny
- Amends the 1977 Water Pollution Act to let water services authorities issue discharge licences for single-house developments.
- Allows individual homeowners or builders to obtain permission to discharge water from new houses into local water systems.
- Bill lapsed before completion; did not become law. Would have simplified discharge licensing for single residential properties.
Thirty-Seventh Amendment Of The Constitution (Economic, Social And Cultural Rights) Bill 2018
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Thomas Pringle
- Amends Article 45 of the Constitution to make economic, social and cultural rights from the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights enforceable by courts, subject to progressive realisation and available resources.
- Currently these rights are not directly enforceable in Irish courts despite Ireland ratifying the treaty in 1989; this change would allow individuals to defend rights claims in court.
- Requires the State to justify budget decisions affecting housing, health, education and other ESC rights, with courts able to review whether vulnerable populations are adequately protected.
Child and Family Agency (Foster Care Oversight) Bill 2018
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Denise Mitchell
- Amends the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 to change how foster care is overseen and managed by the agency.
- Specific amendments and their practical effects are not detailed in available bill documentation.
- Bill lapsed at First Stage; no further legislative progress occurred.
Property Services (Regulation) (Amendment) (Management Company Regulation) Bill 2018
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Darragh O'Brien
- Amends the 2011 Property Services Regulation law; specific changes not detailed in title alone—further detail needed.
- Addresses management company regulation in property services sector; practical scope and requirements unclear from title.
- Bill lapsed during Second Stage; did not become law. Status as of provided information unknown.
Urban Regeneration and Housing (Amendment) Bill 2018
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Mick Wallace
- Increases the vacant site levy and modifies how it works under the 2015 Urban Regeneration and Housing Act.
- Allows owners of vacant sites to negotiate directly with local authorities or state agencies to sell at a discounted percentage value.
- Bill lapsed at Second Stage; status unknown regarding reintroduction or successor legislation.
Management Fees (Local Property Tax) Relief Bill 2018
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Darragh O'Brien
- Amends local property tax law to partially exempt property owners in managed estates who pay management fees.
- Reduces property tax liability for residents who already pay fees for estate upkeep and maintenance.
- Bill lapsed during Second Stage; did not become law.
Residential Tenancies (Greater Security of Tenure and Rent Certainty) Bill 2018
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Jan O'Sullivan
- Extends 'landlord' definition to include receivers and persons with charges on mortgaged rental properties, ensuring they remain bound by tenancy terms and obligations.
- Limits annual rent increases in all areas to inflation rate (currently 4% in Rent Pressure Zones) and declares all remaining areas as Rent Pressure Zones for 3 years.
- Removes landlord's right to end Part Four tenancies after 6 years without grounds; prohibits termination for sale; allows refurbishment termination only if property cannot remain habitable.
Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2018
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Maureen O'Sullivan
- Amends Sexual Offences Act 2001 to give judges power to restrict travel abroad for convicted sex offenders where risk to vulnerable persons in inadequate child-protection jurisdictions exists.
- Judges assess each case individually, considering offender's risk level and rehabilitation, deciding whether to impose travel restrictions in the common good.
- Enables courts to prevent sex offenders traveling to countries without adequate child protection laws and services.
Overcrowded Housing Bill 2018
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Barry Cowen
- Creates legal definition of overcrowding in housing and sets standards for Planning Authorities to assess it under Housing Acts.
- Increases penalties for building owners who provide overcrowded accommodation.
- Bill did not complete parliamentary process; lapsed without becoming law.
Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Amendment) (Climate Emergency Measures) Bill 2018
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Richard Boyd Barrett
- Amends 1960 Petroleum Act to require climate factors—global temperature, CO₂ levels—when issuing mining and oil licences.
- Decision-makers must consider national and global environmental impacts before approving petroleum exploration, extraction, or mineral development projects.
- Bill lapsed at Second Stage; did not become law. Would have added environmental screening to licence approval process.
Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 2018
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Pearse Doherty
- Extends Central Bank Act 1942 to make providing false or misleading information to the Central Bank a 'prescribed contravention', allowing the Bank to conduct inquiries and impose administrative sanctions.
- Creates criminal offence for knowingly or recklessly providing false or misleading information to the Central Bank, punishable by up to 12 months imprisonment or fine on summary conviction, or up to 5 years imprisonment or €250,000 fine on indictment.
- Amends Criminal Justice Act 2011 Schedule 1 to classify the new offence as a relevant offence for criminal justice purposes.