Bills
1,078 bills tracked. What do the stages mean?
Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Establishes Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme III to pay €150 (including VAT) three times to domestic electricity accounts between Act passage and 30 June 2024, funded up to €1.007 billion.
- Creates Submeter Support Scheme to pay €150 three times to submeter accounts during same period; electricity suppliers administer payments after receiving funds from Minister.
- Exempts both emergency benefit and submeter payments from income tax; amends Electricity Regulation Act 1999 to give utilities regulator oversight functions for scheme operation.
Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Increases Universal Social Charge ceiling for 2% rate by €2,840 and reduces 4.5% rate to 4%; extends reduced USC rate for medical card holders under 70 earning under €60,000 until end of 2025.
- Raises income tax standard rate band by €2,000 to €42,000 and increases personal tax credit by €100–€200; extends Help to Buy scheme to 31 December 2025.
- Introduces new landlord tax relief reducing tax on rental income by up to €600–€1,000 annually; increases R&D corporation tax credit rate from 25% to 30% and first instalment from €25,000 to €50,000.
Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Creates new statutory agency for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence with functions to support refuge accommodation, fund victim services, coordinate government strategies, run awareness campaigns, and conduct research.
- Transfers certain staff, functions, rights and liabilities from Child and Family Agency to new Agency; amends Child and Family Agency Act 2013 to clarify remaining responsibilities.
- Establishes Board-led governance structure with Minister-appointed chief executive; requires corporate and annual business plans, annual accounts audited by Comptroller and Auditor General, and reporting to Oireachtas.
Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Enables Ireland to contribute to trust funds established by European Investment Bank, EBRD, and Council of Europe Development Bank, with spending limits of €35m–€175m per institution.
- Authorizes Ireland to guarantee and contribute to EU macro-financial assistance to Ukraine under two agreements, with payments made from the Central Fund subject to Dáil oversight reporting.
- Requires banks in correspondent banking relationships to conduct enhanced money-laundering checks on EU-based counterparties, not just non-EU ones.
Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Caps electricity revenues for wind, solar, hydro (€120/MWh) and other non-gas generators from December 2022–June 2023; excess revenues paid to collection agent for redistribution to consumers.
- Requires producers, intermediaries and traders to calculate monthly surplus revenues, submit returns, and pay liabilities by December 2023; enforced by competent authority with powers to audit, revise assessments and prosecute.
- Establishes Market Cap Fund managed by collection agent (EirGrid) to receive capped revenues and disburse them via schemes to assist electricity consumers facing high energy prices.
Gas (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Dissolves Ervia and transfers all its functions, assets, liabilities, staff and records to Gas Networks Ireland on a Minister-set transfer date.
- Cancels Ervia's shareholding in GNI and issues new shares to three Ministers (90% to Housing Minister, 5% each to Environment and Public Expenditure Ministers).
- Amends Gas Act 1976, Gas Regulation Act 2013, and Freedom of Information Act 2014 to reflect GNI's expanded role and remove Ervia as exempt body.
Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Establishes directly elected Mayor of Limerick with 5-year term, re-electable for maximum 2 full terms, with executive powers transferred from Chief Executive and Cathaoirleach.
- Renames Chief Executive to Director General and Cathaoirleach to Príomh Chomhairleoir; creates supporting structures including Mayoral Advisory Committee and Government Consultative Forum.
- Amends Electoral Acts 1992 and 1997 to govern Limerick Mayoral elections including spending limits, donation disclosures, and enables plebiscites on direct Mayors in other local authorities.
Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Changes rape law: offence now occurs where man does not reasonably believe woman consents, replacing prior 'knowledge or recklessness' standard. Applies only to incidents after commencement.
- Protects sexual assault trial participants: anonymity extended to complainants and accused; public excluded from courtroom; verdicts need not be announced publicly; victims get separate legal representation.
- Establishes National Referral Mechanism for human trafficking: statutory process to identify victims; Operational Committee reviews applications; eligible persons protected from deportation; access to welfare and accommodation support.
Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Creates 100-metre safe access zones around healthcare premises providing termination of pregnancy services, prohibiting conduct intended to impede access or influence decisions.
- Establishes criminal offences for prohibited conduct, with Garda warnings required before charges; penalties escalate for repeat offences, prosecuted summarily.
- Exempts healthcare staff performing normal duties, lawful protest outside Parliament, and conduct within places of worship from the prohibitions.
Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Temporary Solidarity Contribution) Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Imposes a temporary 75% tax on fossil fuel companies' profits above 120% of their average profits in 2022 and 2023, collected by Revenue Commissioners by specified dates.
- Requires energy companies (deriving 75%+ turnover from extraction, mining, refining or coke manufacture) to register and file returns with detailed profit calculations and anti-avoidance provisions.
- Establishes enforcement mechanisms including surcharges (5-10%), interest on overdue amounts, €3,000 penalties for non-compliance, and appeal rights to Appeal Commissioners.
Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Retailers must obtain a licence from the HSE to sell tobacco and nicotine inhaling products; licences expire and must be renewed, with appeals to District Court against refusal or revocation.
- Prohibits sale of tobacco/nicotine products to children, by children, at child-focused events, and via self-service vending machines; restricts advertising in schools, public transport, and cinemas.
- Repeals old retail registration system and vending machine rules; creates new offences with court-imposed penalties including licence suspension for violations.
Social Welfare (Child Benefit) Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Amends Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 292 to allow temporary bonus payments to Child Benefit recipients.
- Bonus payments expire automatically on 31 December 2023 via sunset clause; no extension without new legislation.
- Minister gains power to set bonus rates via regulation rather than primary legislation changes.
Control of Exports Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Replaces 2008 exports law with new controls on exporting dual-use items (usable for civilian or military purposes) and military items; requires authorization and 60-day advance notice for exports, brokering, technical assistance, or transit of controlled goods.
- Establishes Minister as competent authority to grant export authorizations; creates appeals process through adjudicators and High Court for denied applications, with confidential hearings for sensitive national security information.
- Creates enforcement powers: authorized officers can inspect premises, request records, issue compliance notices, and seize items; establishes penalties up to forfeiture for breaches; repeals Control of Exports Act 2008 and related regulations.
Courts Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Increases maximum Court of Appeal judges from 15 to 17; amends Courts (Establishment and Constitution) Act 1961.
- Increases maximum High Court judges from 42 to 48 and Circuit Court judges from 40 to 45; amends Courts and Court Officers Act 1995.
- Increases maximum District Court judges from 63 to 71 and moveable District Court judges from 20 to 28; amends related legislation.
Representative Actions for the Protection of the Collective Interests of Consumers Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Allows designated consumer organisations to bring court actions on behalf of consumers for breaches of consumer law affecting multiple people.
- Creates a registration system where the Minister designates qualified entities meeting set criteria to represent consumers in the High Court.
- Requires traders and organisations to publish details of court decisions and settlements, and lets consumers join actions for compensation without paying double.
Health (Amendment) Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Repeals section 53C of the Health Act 1970, removing the €80 daily charge for public patients in acute hospital care, capped at €800 yearly.
- Revokes the Health (Acute In-Patient Charges) Regulations 2021, eliminating the legal framework that imposed these charges.
- Changes take effect on a date set by commencement order from the Minister for Health.
Finance Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Extends six agricultural tax reliefs (farm restructuring, young farmer stock relief, slurry storage allowances) to end-2024 or end-2025, updated to comply with new EU Agricultural Block Exemption Regulation.
- Reduces mineral oil tax on petrol, diesel and marked gas oil in stages through October 2023; extends 9% VAT rate on electricity, gas and hospitality until August-October 2023.
- Amends Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme: lowers energy cost increase threshold from 50% to 30%, raises payment from 40% to 50% of costs, extends deadline to July 2023.
Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Amends EPA Act 1992 to create alternative assessment process for emergency electricity generation licenses, replacing standard EIA procedures for designated developments under the 2022 Act.
- Requires EPA to conduct alternative assessment, make environmental reports public, and coordinate with habitat protection assessments under EU nature directives.
- EPA cannot grant license unless Minister has separately approved the designated development; Agency must incorporate assessment findings and environmental safeguards into license conditions.
Court Proceedings (Delays) Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Allows persons in court proceedings to seek a declaration that cases breached their right to completion within reasonable time, and compensation where applicable.
- Establishes Chief Court Delays Assessor and Court Delays Assessors to examine applications and make binding assessments, with appeals to Circuit Court.
- Assessors must base compensation on European Court of Human Rights standards for Article 6 violations; Minister pays awarded compensation within two months.
Veterinary Medicinal Products, Medicated Feed and Fertilisers Regulation Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Replaces Animal Remedies Act 1993; establishes licensing and regulation framework for retail, import, and storage of veterinary medicines and medicated feed, with enforcement powers for authorised officers.
- Creates national database for recording veterinary prescriptions issued electronically by vets and dispensed by pharmacies, co-ops, feed mills and registered outlets to ensure market competition.
- Amends Fertilisers Feeding Stuffs and Mineral Mixtures Act 1955 to establish national fertiliser database tracking manufacture, import, sale and supply from import to end-user, with operator and end-user registration requirements.
Civil Defence Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Replaces outdated civil defence laws (1939-1946 Acts and 2012 Act) with modern legislation establishing Minister for Defence oversight and local authority responsibilities.
- Requires each local authority to maintain electronic Register of Civil Defence Volunteers containing personal, training, vetting and medical data, with restricted access protections.
- Local authorities must establish dedicated civil defence units, employ civil defence officers, create three-yearly civil defence plans, and receive up to 70% grant funding from Minister.
Criminal Justice (Engagement of Children in Criminal Activity) Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Creates new criminal offence for adults who compel, coerce, direct, deceive, induce, invite, aid, abet, counsel or procure a child to engage in criminal activity.
- Penalties: up to 12 months imprisonment or class A fine on summary conviction; up to 5 years imprisonment or fine on indictment.
- Amends Bail Act 1997 to allow courts to refuse bail for these offences where reasonably necessary to prevent serious offences.
Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Establishes Board of An Garda Síochána as non-executive governance body to oversee strategy, budgets, performance and hold Garda Commissioner accountable; Commissioner gains explicit operational independence.
- Replaces Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission with Police Ombudsman/Deputy model; expands jurisdiction to investigate wider range of wrongdoing and expands eligibility for complaints.
- Creates Policing and Community Safety Authority merging Policing Authority and Garda Síochána Inspectorate functions; establishes national and local community safety partnerships requiring inter-agency cooperation.
Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Repeals 1930–2014 National Monuments Acts; replaces with unified Register of Monuments protecting archaeological and historic sites without need for formal designation.
- Requires finders to report prescribed monuments within 72 hours; Minister conducts inspections and enters sites in Register; protects discoveries automatically.
- Applies special protection to monuments owned/guarded by Minister or local authority; regulates works via licensing; implements EIA and Habitats Directives.