Constitutional & Electoral
Bills amending the Constitution, referendum law, electoral procedure and the Oireachtas itself.
119 bills tracked under this topic.
Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill 2024
24 Jun 2026 Fifth Stage Current
- Replaces board appointment method: 10 elected members and 6 Minister-appointed members (previously 12 members via nominations and public competition).
- Establishes three statutory Regional Committees with board members and local authority representatives to consult with Gaeltacht communities twice yearly.
- Grants Údarás power to dispose of land to housing bodies for Gaeltacht housing; expands Gaeltacht Service Town designation to include towns within 30km of language planning areas.
Gas Safety and Miscellaneous Amendments Bill 2026
28 May 2026 Fifth Stage Current
- Gas undertakings must prepare and submit safety cases to the CRU to obtain safety permits; failure to comply is a criminal offence with penalties up to €3 million.
- CRU gains power to appoint gas emergency officers for LPG and issue safety licences for previously unregulated third-party domestic LPG networks in two classes.
- Gas safety framework transitions from administrative to statutory basis; appeals process introduced for CRU licensing decisions; redundant LPG incident regulations revoked.
Electricity Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2026
14 May 2026 First Stage Defeated Pa Daly
- CRU gains power to monitor and regulate hedging practices in energy markets and must report monthly on wholesale prices and supplier margins.
- CRU's anti-competitive behaviour powers expanded to match Competition Commission scope; must report quarterly on retail market functioning and price changes.
- CRU gains explicit consumer protection mandate to prevent unfair pricing and anti-competitive practices; Minister can issue energy affordability policy directions to CRU.
Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Right to Housing) Bill 2026
27 Mar 2026 Second Stage Current Rory Hearne
- Proposes a constitutional amendment to add a right to housing in Ireland's constitution.
- Currently at Second Stage of legislative process; specific amendment text and scope not detailed in provided information.
- Sponsored by Rory Hearne; practical effects of amendment depend on final wording and passage through remaining stages.
Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Standing Charges) Bill 2026
6 Mar 2026 Second Stage Current Darren O'Rourke
- Amends Electricity Regulation Act 1999 to give CRU legal power to monitor and regulate standing charges on electricity and gas bills.
- Requires utility companies to seek CRU approval before increasing standing charges and limits them to covering fixed connection costs only.
- Empowers CRU to investigate suppliers using standing charges to boost profits and order excessive rates reduced to cost-recovery levels.
Irish Language Name and Address of the Person (Length Accent) Bill 2026
6 Mar 2026 Second Stage Current Aengus Ó Snodaigh
- Protects accuracy of Irish language names and addresses, including proper vowel accents, in official records under Data Protection Act 2018.
- Requires regulators to ensure businesses respect customers' Irish names and addresses by January 1, 2030.
- Amends national postcode system contract rules to align with Irish language name and address standards.
Official Languages (Right to Use the Irish Language) (Amendment) Bill 2026
5 Mar 2026 Second Stage Current Aengus Ó Snodaigh
- Amends the Official Languages Act 2003 to protect citizens' right to communicate in Irish without infringement or obstruction.
- Amends the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 to ensure Irish-language communication rights apply online and in media contexts.
- Specific enforcement mechanisms or penalties not detailed in the long title; further information requires examination of bill text.
Health Information Bill 2024
24 Feb 2026 Report Stage Current
- Health providers must share patients' health data with other providers for care and treatment in standardized digital format within timeframes set by HSE guidelines.
- HSE creates and operates electronic health records for all patients containing summaries, prescriptions, test results, and discharge reports; patients can restrict access or add personal information.
- HSE can request health information from providers for public health, patient safety, service planning, and statistics; non-compliance subject to Circuit Court enforcement.
Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025
16 Dec 2025 Enacted
- Increases maximum judges across four courts: Court of Appeal by 3 to 21; High Court by 6 to 55; Circuit Court by 6 to 51; District Court by 6 to 77.
- Updates Child Care Act 1991 to change custody retention period from three days to three working days and modernises court references from 'justice' to 'judge'.
- Amends Gambling Regulation Act 2024 and Street Collections Act 1962 to correct cross-references and align exemption definitions with current gambling legislation.
Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2025
3 Dec 2025 Second Stage Current Anne Rabbitte
- Expands ESB's authority to carry out work on water levels in three Shannon lakes: Lough Derg, Lough Ree, and Lough Allen.
- Amends the 1934 Electricity Supply Act to remove or reduce existing restrictions on ESB's powers for these lake-level operations.
- Bill is at Second Stage; specific restrictions being removed and practical effects are not detailed in title alone.
Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2025
28 Nov 2025 Enacted
- Increases ESB's statutory borrowing limit from €12bn to €17bn to support a €13.4bn energy grid investment programme.
- Authorizes €1.5bn capital stock issuance to two government ministers (90% and 10% split) to provide equity funding for ESB's infrastructure projects.
- Allows ESB employees' share ownership plan trustees to buy additional capital stock on the same terms to maintain their shareholding percentage.
Electricity Regulation (Climate Action and Connection to Distribution and Transmission Systems) Bill 2025
27 Nov 2025 Second Stage Current Ciarán Ahern
- Amends Electricity Regulation Act 1999 to allow the Commission for Regulation of Utilities to require connection applicants to take climate measures: emissions reduction, offsetting, or abatement.
- CRU can set different climate conditions for different applicant classes; applies only to connections with maximum capacity of 150kVA or above.
- Fills legal gap allowing CRU to mandate specific emissions measures (e.g. renewable energy use) as connection terms, supporting Ireland's climate neutrality target by 2050.
Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Reduction of Voting Age to Sixteen Years) Bill 2025
13 Nov 2025 Second Stage Current Aidan Farrelly
- Proposes constitutional amendment to lower voting age from 18 to 16 years old.
- Requires passage through Oireachtas and public referendum to take effect.
- Currently at Second Stage; specific election or local voting application details not provided in bill text.
Statute Law Revision Bill 2024
28 Jul 2025 Enacted
- Revokes 3,367 obsolete secondary instruments made between 1821 and 1861, and earlier instruments not repealed in 2015, retaining only 5 listed in Schedule 1.
- Assigns official citations to 5 retained instruments for easier legal reference and allows ministers to amend or revoke them subject to 21-day parliamentary annulment.
- Enables courts to accept prima facie evidence of pre-1861 instruments via published copies from Dublin Gazette or certified copies from designated libraries like National Library of Ireland.
Ministers and Secretaries (Attorney General) Bill 2023
11 Jul 2025 Second Stage Defeated Ivana Bacik
- Bars Attorney General from claiming legal privilege over advice cited to Oireachtas when explaining Government positions on Bills or resolutions.
- Requires Attorney General to prioritize public interest when handling State litigation: settle legitimate claims promptly, avoid technical defences, minimize costs, and apologize for wrongful conduct.
- Makes Attorney General subject to conduct codes under Standards in Public Office Act 2001; permits delegation of functions with recusal disclosure to Taoiseach and ethics commission.
Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Voting Rights in Presidential Elections) Bill 2025
18 Jun 2025 Second Stage Current Michael Collins
- Amends Article 12 to allow adult Irish citizens ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland to vote in presidential elections, subject to electoral law and disqualification rules.
- Inserts new Article 12A requiring the Oireachtas to enact electoral legislation within a practicable timeframe to implement the expanded voting rights.
- Article 12A becomes obsolete and is removed from official Constitution texts once implementing legislation is passed.
Ukraine Solidarity Bill 2022
28 May 2025 Second Stage Current Jim O'Callaghan
- Creates crime of aggression as Irish offence with universal jurisdiction; enables prosecution and extradition cooperation for acts furthering aggression against Ukraine.
- Establishes strong criminal penalties for breaching EU sanctions; allows Irish courts to award civil damages for acts related to aggression and seize frozen assets.
- Requires government ministers to recognize foreign qualifications of Ukrainian displaced persons within 28 days, enabling them to work in regulated professions.
Local Government (Establishment of Town Councils Commission) Bill 2017
28 May 2025 Committee Stage Current Shane Cassells
- Creates a Local Government Commission to review and recommend how town councils should be established and where their boundaries should be set.
- Commission will make recommendations on the town council system structure; Government will consider these recommendations before implementation.
- Bill is at Committee Stage; specific powers, timelines, and commission membership details not provided in title alone.
Local Authority Public Administration Bill 2023
28 May 2025 Committee Stage Current Robert Troy
- Local authorities must acknowledge written requests within 5 days and provide substantive replies within 15–20 days, or face Ombudsman complaints.
- Members of public and public representatives can lodge complaints with the Ombudsman if local authorities fail to respond substantively.
- Local authority chief executives must appear before the Public Accounts Committee regarding financial procedures and audit matters under the Local Government Act 2001.
Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2024
2 May 2025 Second Stage Current Gino Kenny
- Creates legal framework allowing registered medical practitioners to assist qualifying persons with terminal illness to end their lives, subject to strict conditions and safeguards.
- Requires two independent medical assessments, psychological evaluation, written declaration with witnesses, and mental capacity verification before assistance can be provided.
- Establishes Review Committee for oversight, mandates healthcare professional training and certification, permits conscientious objection by medical staff, and requires five-yearly legislative review.
Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2021
2 May 2025 Committee Stage Current Mairéad Farrell
- Pension information for retired Taoisigh, Ministers and Presidents becomes subject to Freedom of Information requests.
- New public bodies automatically covered by FOI Act immediately upon designation, closing six-month gap in coverage.
- Minister must annually review partially-excluded bodies for transparency consistency; Commissioner can refer deliberate non-compliance to Standards Commission.
Emergency Price Controls Bill 2024
2 May 2025 Second Stage Current Bríd Smith
- Amends Consumer Protection Act 2007 to declare energy supply emergency and set maximum prices: petrol/diesel €1.75/litre, electricity 25c/kWh, natural gas 8c/kWh, heating oil €1/litre.
- Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment must review price controls within 12 months of the Act commencing.
- Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications must report on nationalising the energy system within 3 months of commencement.
Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Protection of Financially Vulnerable Customers) Bill 2023
2 May 2025 Second Stage Current Jennifer Whitmore
- Adds legal definition of 'vulnerable customers' to primary legislation, expanded to include those receiving social welfare income supports, replacing existing statutory instrument definition.
- Requires Commission for Regulation of Utilities to consider financial vulnerability and energy poverty risk in its duties and policy decisions affecting customers.
- Empowers Minister to make regulations implementing the updated vulnerable customer definition immediately upon the Act's commencement.
Electoral (Home Addresses of Candidates) Bill 2024
2 May 2025 Second Stage Current Jennifer Whitmore
- Removes requirement for candidates' home addresses to appear on nomination papers, ballot papers, and postal ballots for all elections.
- Amends seven electoral laws governing Dáil, Seanad, local councils, European Parliament, and Presidential elections to exclude address publication.
- Aims to protect candidates' and families' privacy and safety, addressing increased harassment and deterring participation from vulnerable communities.
Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Presidential Voting) Bill 2014
2 May 2025 Committee Stage Current Gerry Adams
- Amends the Constitution regarding presidential voting; specific changes unclear—bill title doesn't detail what voting rules change.
- Sponsored by Gerry Adams; currently at Committee Stage in the legislative process.
- Requires constitutional referendum if passed, as all Constitution amendments need public approval.
Local Government (Restoration of Town Councils) Bill 2018
2 May 2025 Committee Stage Current Brendan Howlin
- Repeals the 2014 abolition of town councils and revives the 2001 Local Government Act establishing them as the smallest tier of local government.
- Local Government Commission must identify qualifying built-up areas with 5,000+ residents and clearly defined urban centres, declare them towns, and establish town councils with elected members.
- Town councils become rating authorities with 9 or 15 members depending on population, holding powers and functions previously held before abolition in 2014.
Local Government (Mayor and Regional Authority of Dublin) Bill 2016
2 May 2025 Committee Stage Current Eamon Ryan
- Creates an elected Mayor covering Dublin City and three surrounding counties (Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, South Dublin).
- Establishes Regional Authority of Dublin to handle waste, planning, and other functions across the four local government areas.
- Amends existing laws (Waste Management Act 1996, Planning and Development Act 2000, Local Government Act 2001) to give Mayor and Authority their powers.
Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Water in Public Ownership) Bill 2016
2 May 2025 Second Stage Current Thomas Pringle
- Proposes constitutional amendment to establish that water in public ownership must remain publicly owned and controlled.
- Aims to prevent privatisation of public water supplies through constitutional protection rather than ordinary legislation.
- At Second Stage; amendment requires two-thirds parliamentary approval plus majority public referendum to pass.
Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Water in Public Ownership) (No. 2) Bill 2016
2 May 2025 Committee Stage Current Clare Daly
- Proposes constitutional amendment to enshrine water in public ownership and control.
- Aims to prevent privatization of public water supplies and water services.
- Bill currently in Committee Stage; requires parliamentary passage and public referendum to amend Constitution.
Standards in Public Office (Amendment) Bill 2023
2 May 2025 Second Stage Current Mairéad Farrell
- Allows the Standards in Public Office Commission to investigate ethics violations on its own initiative, without waiting for a formal complaint.
- Requires the Commission's Annual Report to go directly to parliament rather than through the Minister first.
- Makes failure to disclose financial interests an offence punishable by fine or up to 6 months imprisonment, and expands what counts as registerable interests to include specified liabilities.
Commission for Future Generations Bill 2023
2 May 2025 Committee Stage Current Marc Ó Cathasaigh
- Establishes independent Commission for Future Generations to report within 12 months on creating an Office of Ombudsman for Future Generations to represent future generations' interests.
- Commission may recommend approaches to measuring societal well-being, sustainable development practices across public bodies, and a potential Joint Oireachtas Committee on Future Generations.
- Addresses gap in protecting future generations' interests by creating dedicated oversight body, modeled on Wales's Future Generations Commissioner framework.
Children and Family Relationships (Amendment) Bill 2023
2 May 2025 Committee Stage Current Ivana Bacik
- Expands legal pathways to parentage for people with donor-conceived children born or conceived outside Ireland or outside fertility clinics, including those using known donors before 2015.
- Introduces 'best interests of child' principle into court decisions on parentage, allowing judicial discretion to grant parentage even where technical requirements aren't fully met.
- Grants Irish citizenship to all donor-conceived children through either parent; creates presumption of maternity for married same-sex female couples; removes age limits on parentage declarations.
Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2020
28 Mar 2025 Committee Stage Current Pat Casey
- Expands who can vote in Seanad university panel elections to all adults with Irish third-level qualifications, not just graduates.
- Amends the Seanad Electoral (University Members) Acts 1937–2006 to implement seventh constitutional amendment provisions.
- Broadens the electorate beyond current university graduate voters to include all qualifying third-level credential holders aged 18+.
Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2021
28 Mar 2025 Committee Stage Current Malcolm Byrne
- Lowers voting age from 18 to 16 for European Parliament and local government elections only.
- Allows 16-year-olds to register as electors for these two election types; does not affect general elections.
- Currently in Committee Stage; bill details on implementation and related administrative changes not yet finalized.
Seanad Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2015
28 Mar 2025 Committee Stage Current Diarmuid Wilson
- Expands who can vote in Seanad bye-elections to fill vacant seats to include local authority members.
- Changes the electoral base for casual vacancies in Seanad Éireann from current rules to a broader electorate.
- Bill at Committee Stage; specific details of which local authorities or voting thresholds not provided in source.
Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Judicial Oath of Office) Bill 2025
21 Mar 2025 Second Stage Current Barry Ward
- This bill proposes to amend the Irish Constitution, but the long title provides no detail on what specific change is intended.
- The short title references 'judicial oath of office,' suggesting it may alter how judges take office, though exact changes are not specified.
- Bill is at Second Stage; full scope and practical effects cannot be determined from available information.
Local Government (Support for Elected Members) Bill 2024
5 Mar 2025 Second Stage Current Lynn Ruane
- Local authorities must provide administrative support to elected members to help them perform their duties effectively.
- Amends the Local Government Act 2001 to establish requirements around supporting elected members with resources and assistance.
- Bill is currently at Second Stage; specific support entitlements and implementation details not yet publicly detailed.
Electoral (Civil Society Freedom) (Amendment) Bill 2019
5 Mar 2025 Second Stage Current Lynn Ruane
- Amends Electoral Act 1997 section 22 to narrowly define 'political purposes' as donations relating to specific elections or referendums only, removing ambiguous language covering all government policy advocacy.
- Exempts civil society organisations from strict campaign finance rules when conducting routine lobbying and advocacy work unrelated to electoral campaigns.
- Removes threat of criminal penalties (up to €25,394 fine and three years imprisonment) that currently deters NGOs and volunteers from ordinary political advocacy.
Regulation of Display of Electoral and Polling Posters and Other Advertisements Bill 2022
28 Feb 2025 Second Stage Lapsed Pauline O'Reilly
- Amends election poster and advertisement rules across Presidential, General, Local, European Parliament, and Referendum elections.
- Updates laws governing where, when, and how electoral campaign materials can be displayed during election periods.
- Bill lapsed during Second Stage; did not progress to become law.
Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Agreement on a Unified Patent Court) Bill 2024
20 Feb 2025 Committee Stage Current
- Amends the Irish Constitution to enable Ireland to ratify the Unified Patent Court Agreement, creating a single EU-wide patent court system.
- Allows Ireland to participate in unified patent litigation rather than handling cases through separate national courts.
- Constitutional change required because the Agreement involves transferring some judicial authority to an international court body.
Seanad Bill 2020
20 Feb 2025 Committee Stage Current Michael McDowell
- Expands who can vote in Seanad elections and establishes a new Seanad Electoral Commission to manage elections.
- Repeals two older laws (1947 and 1937 acts) governing how panel and university members were elected to Seanad.
- Reforms Seanad Éireann's structure and election process within constitutional limits; specific franchise changes and commission powers not detailed in title.
Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Right to Vote at 16) Bill 2021
20 Feb 2025 Second Stage Lapsed Thomas Pringle
- Proposes constitutional amendment to lower voting age from 18 to 16 for elections and referendums.
- Requires Oireachtas approval, then public referendum to pass. Bill lapsed without becoming law.
- Would expand franchise; practical effect unknown without details on which elections included.
Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill 2018
20 Feb 2025 Second Stage Lapsed Dessie Ellis
- Introduces democratic elections for Údarás na Gaeltachta members, replacing current appointment method.
- Applies to the authority managing economic and social development in Irish-speaking regions (Gaeltacht).
- Bill lapsed without becoming law; practical impact of proposed changes did not take effect.
Republic of Ireland (Amendment) Bill 2025
30 Jan 2025 First Stage Lapsed Vincent P. Martin
- Removes section 2 of the 1948 Republic of Ireland Act, which currently defines how the State is described in law.
- Changes the official description or naming of the State by deleting existing legislative language from 1948.
- Bill did not progress beyond initial introduction; current status shows it lapsed without becoming law.
Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2021
30 Jan 2025 Second Stage Lapsed Eugene Murphy
- Removes restrictions on the Electricity Supply Board's ability to manage water levels on three Shannon lakes: Lough Derg, Lough Ree, and Lough Allen.
- Amends the 1934 Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Act to give ESB greater operational flexibility for these water management works.
- Bill lapsed without becoming law; did not progress beyond Second Stage debate in Dáil.
Gender Recognition (Amendment) Bill 2017
30 Jan 2025 Second Stage Lapsed David P.B. Norris
- Allows people aged 16+ to obtain Gender Recognition Certificates using the same process as adults (18+), removing the requirement for court orders, parental consent, and medical professional intervention for this age group.
- Removes the minimum age requirement for people under 16 to obtain Gender Recognition Certificates through court exemption orders, and removes mandatory medical certification as a condition for court approval.
- Requires courts considering applications from under-16s to prioritise the child's best interests, can override parental consent refusal if it conflicts with the child's welfare, and must consider the child's own views.
Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016
30 Jan 2025 Second Stage Lapsed Lynn Ruane
- Lowers voting age to 16 for European Parliament and local government elections only.
- Allows 16-year-olds to register as electors for these two election types.
- Bill lapsed during Second Stage; did not become law.
Electoral Reform (Amendment) and Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023
30 Jan 2025 First Stage Defeated Alice-Mary Higgins
- Expands Electoral Commission's role to review Seanad voting system, franchise rules, and minimum voting age.
- Protects civil society organisations' freedom of association and expression in electoral contexts under Electoral Act 1997.
- Provides free public transport on polling day to improve voter access.
Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2024
18 Nov 2024 Enacted
- Extends funding for Houses of the Oireachtas Commission from Central Fund for period 2025-2027 at €565 million maximum allocation.
- Amends Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Act 2003 to continue three-year funding cycle that expired end-December 2024.
- Funds parliamentarian pay, pensions, allowances, and Oireachtas Service operations including IT, broadcasting, and research facilities.
Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Bill 2024
18 Nov 2024 Enacted
- Permits companies to hold virtual or hybrid general meetings using electronic communications technology, provided their constitution allows it, with safeguards for member participation and voting.
- Removes audit exemption for small companies that fail to file annual returns if they have previously failed to file in the preceding 5 years; exemption lost for following 2 years.
- Requires electronic filing agents and registered office agents to be approved by the Registrar and, if trust or company service providers, to be authorised under anti-money laundering legislation.
Houses of the Oireachtas (Members) Bill 2024
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Violet-Anne Wynne
- Allows each House to make standing orders permitting members to record absences for humanitarian reasons or infant care in Official Report, rather than relying on regulations.
- Amends 2021 Secretarial Facilities Regulations to entitle either parent (if a member) to secretarial assistance for parental leave, stillbirth, and child-related humanitarian grounds up to age two.
- Extends parental leave protections from primary legislation rather than statutory instrument, covering both parents equally and broadening eligible circumstances beyond the 2021 regulations.
Electricity Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2024
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Darren O'Rourke
- Expands CRU powers to monitor and regulate hedging practices in energy markets, with new monthly reporting on supply prices and supplier margins.
- Strengthens CRU authority to monitor anti-competitive behaviour by gas and electricity suppliers and enhance consumer protection from unfair pricing.
- Requires CRU to report quarterly on retail electricity and gas market functioning; gives Minister power to issue affordability-based policy directions to CRU.
Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Standing Charges) Bill 2023
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Darren O'Rourke
- Amends Electricity Regulation Act 1999 to give CRU legal power to monitor and regulate standing charges on electricity and gas bills, which are currently unregulated.
- Requires utility companies to obtain CRU approval before increasing standing charges and limits charges to cover fixed connection and maintenance costs only.
- Empowers CRU to investigate suppliers using standing charges to boost profits and order excessive charges be reduced to cost-recovery levels.
Local Government and Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (Carrigaline Rent Pressure Zone) Bill 2022
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
- Designates entire Carrigaline local electoral area as a rent pressure zone under the Local Government Act 2019.
- Requires Minister to prescribe full local electoral area as rent pressure zone if substantial portion already qualifies and conditions are met.
- Amends Residential Tenancies Act 2004 to create statutory obligation for Minister to extend rent pressure zone coverage area-wide.
Local Government (Maternity and Family Leave for Elected Members) Bill 2021
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Holly Cairns
- Allows local authority members to take maternity, adoptive, parental, and force majeure leave without needing council approval, matching staff entitlements under existing leave laws.
- Protects members from deemed resignation due to absence for childbirth or adoption by treating notified leave as approved under current attendance rules.
- Extends the 6-month absence limit to account for eligible family leave periods, preventing automatic loss of membership for qualifying absences.
North-South Interconnector Review Group Bill 2021
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Peadar Tóibín
- Establishes a five-member review group to examine the North-South Interconnector electricity cable route, analyzing undergrounding versus overgrounding options.
- Review group must assess technical performance, costs, environmental impact, and effects on property values and local businesses within 12 months.
- Minister must present the review group's report to Parliament within two months of receipt; group dissolves three months after submitting its report.
Dáil (All-Ireland Representation) Bill 2021
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Peadar Tóibín
- Allows MPs elected in Northern Ireland constituencies to sit, speak and ask questions in the Dáil under same terms as Dáil members.
- Defines key terms and sets commencement provisions for the legislation enabling cross-border parliamentary representation.
- Creates mechanism for Northern Ireland MPs to participate in Dáil proceedings subject to existing Dáil membership conditions.
Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Prohibition of Winter Disconnections) Bill 2021
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Réada Cronin
- Amends Electricity Regulation Act 1999 to give Minister explicit power to direct utility regulator on policy matters.
- Introduces moratorium on disconnecting domestic customers from gas and electricity for non-payment during annual fuel allowance season.
- Allows Minister to extend disconnection moratorium to other periods deemed appropriate beyond the fuel allowance season.
Road Traffic (Amendment) (Electric Scooter Trials) Bill 2021
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed John Lahart
- Authorizes time-limited trials of electric scooters through approved rental schemes, allowing the Minister for Transport to regulate their use during trial periods.
- Restricts trials to shared/hire schemes rather than privately-owned scooters, enabling safety controls like speed governance, helmet requirements, and geo-fencing via GPS.
- Aims to establish universal safety standards and build public confidence in electric scooters as micro-mobility transport before wider introduction.
Road Traffic (Amendment) (Personal Light Electric Vehicles) Bill 2021
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Alan Farrell
- Legalises electric scooters and e-bikes by setting technical specifications and excluding them from driver licensing and motor insurance requirements.
- Prohibits users under 16, tampering with speed limiters, and mobile phone use while operating personal light electric vehicles.
- Exempts these vehicles from motor tax and vehicle registration; extends road safety rules applicable to pedal cycles to e-scooters and e-bikes.
Statistics (Decade of Centenaries) Bill 2020
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Aengus Ó Snodaigh
- Amends Statistics Act 1993 to give Ireland's first post-independence census special heritage status for public access.
- Releases census data for historical, genealogical, and research purposes as part of Decade of Centenaries commemorations.
- Bill lapsed during Second Stage; did not become law.
Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Remote Parliamentary Voting) Bill 2020
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
- Amends Constitution to allow each House of Oireachtas to set rules permitting remote voting in specified emergency circumstances.
- Enables members unable to attend physically to vote during maternity, paternity, or temporary incapacity without being present.
- Provides flexibility for parliamentary operations during emergencies while maintaining specified and limited scope for remote voting.
Working from Home (Covid-19) Bill 2020
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Seán Sherlock
- Gives employees a legal right to disconnect: employers cannot require staff to access work emails/messages between finishing and starting times; time spent on such communications counts as working time.
- Relaxes health and safety rules for temporary home workers during Covid-19: employers meet duties by providing adequate workstations and paying tax-free allowance (amount set by Revenue), instead of ensuring home conditions meet detailed regulations.
- Requires employers to include in written employment terms their policy on out-of-hours work-related electronic communications, extending existing information disclosure obligations.
Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Right to a Home) Bill 2020
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Eoin Ó Broin
- Proposed constitutional amendment to establish a legal right to adequate housing for all Irish residents.
- Would require the state to work toward providing homes and preventing homelessness through legislation and policy.
- Bill did not progress beyond First Stage; lapsed without becoming law.
Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Right to Housing) Bill 2020
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Richard Boyd Barrett
- Adds constitutional right to housing under Article 43, making it judicially enforceable rather than merely aspirational.
- Limits private property rights where necessary to protect housing rights and serve the common good.
- Requires constitutional amendment via Article 46 process; bill lapsed before progressing beyond Second Stage.
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.
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.
Microgeneration Support Scheme Bill 2017
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Brian Stanley
- Requires electricity suppliers to offer a tariff to small-scale generators who feed excess power back to the grid.
- Aims to encourage growth in household and small-scale renewable electricity production through guaranteed payment for exported power.
- Bill lapsed during Second Stage; no information available on specific tariff rates, supplier obligations scope, or implementation timeline.
Electoral (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2014
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Éamon Ó Cuív
- Amends three election laws to change how voting works across the island of Ireland.
- Modifies Electoral Act 1992, Referendum Act 1994, and Presidential Elections Act 1993 with related provisions.
- Bill lapsed during Second Stage; no information available on specific voting changes proposed.
Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2024
4 Nov 2024 Enacted
- Extends voting rights for Seanad university seats to all Irish citizens with degrees from designated higher education institutions, replacing the current NUI and University of Dublin constituencies.
- Creates a new six-seat Higher Education constituency; fills casual vacancies using replacement candidate lists instead of bye-elections, with bye-elections only if replacement lists are exhausted.
- Sets candidate nomination threshold at 60 registered electors or €1,800 deposit; limits election spending to €55,000; reimburses successful candidates or those exceeding one-quarter quota up to €13,750.
Maternity Protection, Employment Equality and Preservation of Certain Records Bill 2024
4 Nov 2024 Enacted
- Allows employees with serious physical or mental health conditions to postpone maternity leave for 5-52 weeks, with medical certification and 2-week employer notice required.
- Entitles members of Houses of the Oireachtas to 26 weeks maternity leave, formally called maternity leave for members, when properly notified.
- Amends Maternity Protection Act 1994 and Employment Equality Act 1998; includes provisions for preserving certain institutional records in public interest.
Development (Emergency Electricity Generation) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Removes requirement for standard planning permission under Planning and Development Act 2000 for two emergency electricity generation projects (up to 450MW total) at Shannonbridge and Tarbert.
- Exempts designated projects from standard environmental impact assessment rules; replaces with alternative assessment conducted by An Bord Pleanála, coordinated with habitat protection assessment.
- Minister may approve, partially approve, or refuse projects after reviewing assessments and mitigation measures; must notify European Commission of exemption decision and reasons.
Communications (Retention of Data) (Amendment) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Requires service providers to retain user data for 12 months and internet source data for 1 year; allows Minister to vary these periods between minimum and 2 years based on necessity.
- Establishes judicial approval requirement for general retention of traffic/location data (Schedule 2 data) based on Minister's security assessment; creates preservation and production orders for accessing specific data in individual cases.
- Creates disclosure regimes allowing An Garda Síochána and Defence Forces access to retained data for national security; enables urgent disclosure with post-approval by judge within set timeframe.
EirGrid, Electricity and Turf (Amendment) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- EirGrid can acquire electricity generation plants and enter agreements with generators to operate them under CRU direction, ending by 31 March 2027 or earlier if the emergency resolves.
- EirGrid's borrowing limit increases to €3 billion; Minister can provide financial support for these emergency measures with consent of Public Expenditure Minister.
- Electricity Regulation Act 1999 amended to refund PSO (public service obligation) monies to consumers; Bord na Móna's borrowing limit increases to €650 million.
Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Enables commencement of the 2015 Assisted Decision-Making Act to replace wardship with functional capacity assessment for people with capacity difficulties.
- Creates two-step enduring power of attorney system: created while person has capacity, registered with Decision Support Service, activated by notification when capacity lost.
- Strengthens safeguards by creating fraud/coercion offences, expanding ineligibility criteria for decision-makers, and giving Director powers to investigate complaints informally.
Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Establishes Judicial Appointments Commission with 9 members (Chief Justice, Court Presidents, judges, Attorney General, lay members) to select and recommend candidates for judicial appointments based on merit.
- Commission must publish selection procedures and required knowledge/skills statements; recommendations shall consider gender balance, population diversity, and Irish language proficiency for State judgeships.
- Dissolves existing Judicial Appointments Advisory Board; creates Commission Office with Director; provides funding via Courts Service; restricts Freedom of Information access to selection records.
Electoral Reform Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Establishes an independent Electoral Commission to oversee Ireland's electoral system, manage the Register of Political Parties, review constituency and local electoral area boundaries, and regulate online political advertising.
- Modernises voter registration through continuous individual application, data sharing between authorities, pending lists for 16–17-year-olds, and provisions for persons with no fixed address and anonymous registration.
- Extends postal voting to include persons with mental health difficulties, enables pandemic-era elections, transfers referendum functions from Referendum Commissions to the new Commission, and enhances political party financial transparency.
Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Establishes Circular Economy Fund to replace Environment Fund; Minister manages fund for circular economy activities and publishes strategy every 3 years with waste reduction and reuse targets.
- Imposes environmental levy (€0.20–€1.00 per item) on single-use cups, containers, packaging and plastic bags supplied at retail; Minister may prohibit supply of certain items if reusable alternatives are available.
- Authorizes local authorities to operate CCTV and mobile recording devices for waste enforcement; requires Chief Executive approval and 5-yearly review; regulates by code of practice approved by Minister and laid before Oireachtas.
Thirty-Ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Neutrality) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 First Stage Defeated Bríd Smith
- Proposed constitutional amendment to modify Ireland's neutrality provisions in the Constitution.
- Bill did not progress beyond First Stage; was defeated and did not become law.
- Specific constitutional changes intended are not detailed in provided long title; full text needed for exact scope.
Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Amends Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Act 2003 to authorize funding of €462.5 million for the Commission's three-year operating period from 1 January 2022.
- Continues direct financing from the Central Fund rather than annual Dáil votes on estimates, as established in 2004.
- Enables Commission to pay staff salaries and expenses, with Minister consent required for senior appointments.
Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Reduces sex offender notification period from 7 to 3 days; allows Gardaí to take fingerprints, palm prints and photographs for identity confirmation.
- Permits Gardaí to disclose offender information to police outside State and publish details where offender's whereabouts unknown, to manage public safety risks.
- Enables courts to impose electronic monitoring on sex offenders and ban them from working with children; allows Gardaí to apply for order discharge or variation.
Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Prohibits secondary ticket sellers from selling or advertising tickets above original sale price for events in designated venues or designated events; makes this an offence.
- Requires primary and secondary ticket sellers to disclose original sale price and seat location information when advertising tickets for designated venues or events.
- Voids contract terms that prevent free transfer or resale of tickets at or below original price; exempts UEFA EURO 2020 tickets unless seller has UEFA authorisation.
Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (The Family) Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Referendum Rejected
- Adds text to Article 41.1.1° recognising families may be founded on marriage or other durable relationships, not marriage alone.
- Deletes references to marriage as the sole foundation of family from Article 41.3.1°, replacing with text protecting marriage as an institution.
- Includes coordination provisions for potential interaction with the Fortieth Amendment (Care) Bill if both enacted, with sequencing rules for same-day enactment.
Fortieth Amendment of the Constitution (Care) Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Referendum Rejected
- Proposed constitutional amendment to add a right to care provision into Ireland's Constitution.
- Failed at referendum stage; voters rejected the proposed constitutional change in 2023.
- Specific details of the care right's scope unavailable from title alone; referendum outcome final.
Electoral Reform (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 First Stage Withdrawn Lynn Ruane
- Amends Electoral Reform Act 2022 to require An Coimisiún Toghcháin to review Seanad electoral system, franchise rules, and voting age requirements.
- Amends Electoral Act 1997 to protect civil society organisations' freedom of association and expression, and provide free public transport on polling day.
- Bill withdrawn at First Stage; specific review timelines, franchise proposals, and transport implementation details not available from long title alone.
Civil Registration (Electronic Registration) Bill 2024
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Enables parents to register births and deaths online via MyWelfare, retaining in-person services; establishes Record of Stillbirths accessible to public.
- Reduces stillbirth gestational age threshold from 24 to 23 weeks and weight from 500g to 400g; shortens death registration deadline from 3 months to 28 days.
- Allows interim death certificates during coroner investigations; requires all deaths notified within 5 working days; enables coroners to refer cases back without inquiry.
Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Increases Dáil members from 160 to 174 after next dissolution, implementing Electoral Commission's 2023 Constituency Review Report recommendations.
- Redefines Dáil constituencies from 39 to 43, with 15 five-seat, 15 four-seat, and 13 three-seat constituencies as specified in Schedule.
- Repeals the Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Act 2017 upon next Dáil dissolution.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Official Languages (Amendment) Bill 2019
14 Jan 2022 Enacted
- Amends the 2003 Official Languages Act to extend language rights and duties for Irish and English in public services.
- Modifies the 1976 Juries Act regarding language use in jury proceedings; specific changes not detailed in provided information.
- Introduces related provisions to support official language protections; exact scope and implementation details not specified in bill title.
Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Inclusive Budget Reform) Bill 2014
9 Jun 2021 First Stage Defeated Pearse Doherty
- Proposed constitutional amendment to reform Ireland's budget process, sponsored by Pearse Doherty in 2014.
- Bill did not progress beyond First Stage; defeated and did not become law.
- Specific constitutional changes intended are not detailed in the available title information provided.
Ministers and Ministers of State (Successors) Bill 2020
4 Nov 2020 First Stage Defeated Peadar Tóibín
- Requires Taoiseach to nominate successors to Ministers and Ministers of State who lose Oireachtas membership after general elections within six weeks.
- Successor Ministers need Dáil approval before appointment; successor Ministers of State appointed by sitting Government, consistent with 1977 Act procedures.
- Amends 1977 Act so Ministers of State appointments end when successor appointed, not just when Taoiseach's successor takes office.
Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill 2017
20 Apr 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Paul Gavan
- Changes Údarás na Gaeltachta governance from appointment to democratic elections for board members.
- Enables citizens in Gaeltacht regions to directly elect representatives to the organisation's decision-making body.
- Bill lapsed during legislative process; status and scope of final provisions unknown.
Seanad Bill 2016
20 Apr 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Alice-Mary Higgins
- Expands Seanad voting to include Irish passport holders abroad, Northern Ireland residents, and graduates; creates five vocational constituencies plus one higher education constituency.
- Establishes a statutory Seanad Electoral Commission to organise elections and manage voter registers; replaces university-specific voting with broader higher education graduate voting.
- Replaces by-election system with substitute candidate lists; introduces electronic ballot printing and QR codes; comes into effect after election of 25th Seanad (around 2020).
Charities (Human Rights) Bill 2018
20 Apr 2020 First Stage Lapsed Paul Gavan
- Adds 'advancement of human rights' as a recognised charitable purpose under the Charities Act 2009.
- Removes 'advancement of religion' from the list of recognised charitable purposes for charity registration.
- Bill lapsed at First Stage; did not progress to legislative debate or enactment.
National Anthem Bill 2019
20 Apr 2020 First Stage Lapsed Mark Daly
- Confirms 'Amhrán na bhFiann' ('The Soldier's Song') choral refrain as Ireland's official National Anthem, with or without lyrics.
- Creates an Irish Sign Language version of the National Anthem to ensure deaf and hard-of-hearing citizens can access it.
- Defines the Presidential Salute as the first 4 bars plus last 4 bars of the National Anthem's music.
Electoral (Amendment) (Voting Rights for Residents) Bill 2017
20 Apr 2020 First Stage Lapsed Máire Devine
- Amends Electoral Act 1992 to let adults legally resident in Ireland for five years vote in Dáil and European elections, regardless of citizenship.
- Extends voting rights to non-citizens meeting residency requirement; changes who can participate in Irish parliamentary and EU elections.
- Bill did not progress beyond First Stage introduction and has lapsed without becoming law.
Statistics (1926 Census Release) Bill 2017
20 Apr 2020 First Stage Lapsed Paul Gavan
- Amends Statistics Act 1993 to release 1926 Census records to the public immediately, bypassing the standard 100-year closure rule that applies to all other post-1926 censuses.
- Gives 1926 Census special heritage status due to its historical significance covering Ireland's independence, Civil War, and cultural transition period (1911–1926).
- Allows Minister to set conditions by regulation for electronic public access to 1926 Census returns for genealogical, historical, and family history research purposes.
Local Government Accountability Bill 2018
20 Apr 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Gerard P. Craughwell
- Minister can publish guidelines requiring local authority staff to respond fully to councillor queries within 14 days, with acknowledgement within 7 working days.
- Creates binding obligation on local authority staff to reply to councillor representations made on behalf of constituents or community groups.
- Minister can publish quarterly league tables comparing local authority response times to encourage consistency and competition across councils.
Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2016
19 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Gerry Adams
- Amends Electoral Acts 1992–2015 to require all polling stations be wheelchair accessible.
- Ensures disabled voters can physically enter and use polling stations without barriers.
- Bill did not progress beyond First Stage and lapsed without becoming law.
Declaration of Independence Day Bill 2017
19 Feb 2020 Fifth Stage Lapsed Paul Daly
- Establishes 21 January annually as 'Declaration of Independence Day' to formally recognise the First Dáil meeting and Declaration of Independence adoption on that date in 1919.
- The day is not a public holiday under the Holiday (Employees) Act 1973, so normal employment and business rules apply regardless of which weekday it falls.
- Bill provides definitions and standard commencement provisions; does not create statutory obligations or establish commemorative events beyond formal recognition.
Public Health (Electronic Cigarettes and Herbal Cigarettes) Bill 2019
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Alan Farrell
- Prohibits selling or supplying electronic cigarettes, refill containers, and herbal cigarettes to anyone under 18 years old, creating criminal offences for violations.
- Establishes penalties for breaches and allows authorised officers under tobacco law to enforce these new age restrictions on related products.
- Closes gap in existing tobacco law, which already banned sales to under-18s but did not cover electronic or herbal cigarettes.
Road Traffic (Amendment) (Use of Electric Scooters) Bill 2019
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Marc MacSharry
- Removes tax and insurance requirements for electric scooters and e-bikes by redefining mechanically propelled vehicles.
- Permits electric scooters on Irish roads with 25 km/h speed limit, mandatory helmets, and requirement to ride safely considering others.
- Expands Road Safety Authority remit to recommend safe e-scooter practices and empowers Minister for Transport to issue regulations.
Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Right to Housing) Bill 2019
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Thomas P. Broughan
- Proposes constitutional amendment to add right to adequate housing into Article 45 Directive Principles, enforceable through State laws and policies.
- Requires State to prioritize housing resources and give particular regard to children in implementing this right.
- Bill aims to enable referendum allowing Irish electorate to decide whether to insert this housing right into the Constitution.
Road Traffic (Bus and Cycle Lane) (Amendment) Bill 2019
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Robert Troy
- Amends Road Traffic Act 2010 to allow CCTV camera footage as evidence for bus lane and cycle lane violations—driving or parking in these lanes—currently unenforceable by camera.
- Enables enforcement agencies to use digitally recorded safety camera data against unlawful bus and cycle lane use, addressing gaps in existing traffic regulations.
- Allows devices like cameras on Dublin Bus vehicles to detect and record bus lane and cycle lane breaches, increasing detection of these traffic offences.
Freedom Of Information (Oversight of the Office of the President) (Amendment) Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed David Cullinane
- Amends Freedom of Information Act 2014 to make the Office of the President subject to FOI requests.
- Allows citizens to request documents held by the President's office, currently exempt from FOI laws.
- Bill did not progress beyond First Stage and lapsed; practical effect never implemented.
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.
Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Separation of Church and State) Bill 2017
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Ruth Coppinger
- Proposed constitutional amendment to separate church and state in Ireland's governance structures.
- Bill lapsed without progressing beyond First Stage; no further legislative action occurred.
- Specific amendment text or practical effects not detailed in available information.
Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Blasphemy) Bill 2017
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Catherine Murphy
- Proposes to remove the constitutional offence of blasphemy, which currently prohibits insulting religion.
- Would delete Article 40.6.1(i) from the Constitution that defines and protects against blasphemous utterances.
- Required public referendum to pass; bill lapsed without progressing beyond initial parliamentary stage.
Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Protection of Pension Property Rights) Bill 2017
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Willie O'Dea
- Proposes constitutional amendment to protect pension property rights from legislative changes.
- Bill lapsed before progressing beyond First Stage; status unclear on specific pension protections intended.
- Sponsored by Willie O'Dea; detailed scope and practical effect not available from provided information.
Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2017
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Eugene Murphy
- Amends Local Government Act 1991 to require voter approval before changing a community's county status.
- Gives electorate explicit consent power over county boundary or administrative status changes affecting their area.
- Bill lapsed at First Stage; did not progress through parliament.
Electoral (Extension of Voting Rights to Non-Irish Citizens) Bill 2017
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Ruth Coppinger
- Allows all adults living in Ireland to vote in Dáil and European Parliament elections, regardless of citizenship.
- Changes voting eligibility from Irish/EU citizens only to any adult ordinary resident, expanding the electorate.
- Bill was introduced but did not progress beyond First Stage and has since lapsed without becoming law.
Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2017
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Anne Rabbitte
- Removes restrictions on ESB's power to manage water levels on three Shannon lakes: Lough Derg, Lough Ree, Lough Allen.
- Amends the 1934 Electricity Act to expand ESB's authority for lake-level works and related matters.
- Bill lapsed at First Stage; no legislative progress beyond initial introduction.
Local Government Reform (Amendment) (Directly Elected Mayor of Dublin) Bill 2016
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed John Lahart
- Allows Dublin residents to vote on whether to directly elect a mayor instead of the current council-appointed system.
- Establishes process for holding a public referendum on direct mayoral election and related governance changes.
- Bill lapsed without becoming law; did not progress beyond parliamentary Second Stage debate.
Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Public Ownership of Certain Assets) Bill 2016
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Willie Penrose
- Amends Constitution Article 10 to require electricity, gas networks, and water/wastewater services remain in public ownership.
- Prevents Oireachtas from passing legislation to privatise companies owning gas/electricity transmission and distribution networks or public water infrastructure.
- Requires referendum approval before amendment takes effect; if passed, creates permanent constitutional bar on privatisation of named utilities.
Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Common Ownership of Water Resources) Bill 2016
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Eamon Ryan
- Proposed constitutional amendment to establish common ownership of water resources in Ireland.
- Bill lapsed without progression; did not advance beyond First Stage in Dáil.
- Specific amendment text and practical effects not provided in available documentation.
Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016
6 Feb 2020 Committee Stage Lapsed
- Removes bans on deaf people serving on juries and replaces mental illness bar with functional capacity test for jury service.
- Repeals prohibition preventing people with mental disabilities from standing for election to Dáil, Seanad, and European Parliament.
- Makes National Disability Authority staff state civil servants; establishes Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission as monitor of UN Convention compliance.