Employment
Bills affecting workers' rights, pay, redundancy, working conditions and trade unions.
137 bills tracked under this topic.
Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2024
11 May 2026 Fifth Stage Current
- Transfers ownership of Microfinance Ireland's shares from Social Finance Foundation to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
- Establishes a board of directors and chief executive officer role for Microfinance Ireland to govern the organisation independently.
- Creates pension and superannuation arrangements for Microfinance Ireland staff members.
Protection of Employees (Employers' Insolvency) (Amendment) Bill 2025
9 Apr 2026 Enacted
- Updates 1984 employee insolvency law to align with EU Directive 2008/94/EC on protecting workers when employers go insolvent.
- Expands when employers are deemed insolvent and improves how employees in insolvency arrangements are treated and compensated.
- Changes how Social Insurance Fund payments to employees of insolvent employers are calculated; amends Employment Equality Act 1998.
International Protection Bill 2026
26 Mar 2026 Fifth Stage Current
- Updates Irish law to implement seven new EU asylum and migration rules from 2024, covering reception standards, refugee qualification, processing procedures, resettlement, and biometric data sharing.
- Creates two new bodies: an asylum appeals tribunal and an inspector office for border asylum procedures. Replaces parts of the 2015 International Protection Act.
- Permits gathering information from protection applicants, allows removal of certain persons from Ireland, and amends nationality, immigration, and trafficking laws accordingly.
Work Life Balance (Right to Remote Work) Bill 2026
5 Feb 2026 Second Stage Current George Lawlor
- Gives employees a legal right to request remote work if their employer can reasonably accommodate it.
- Amends the 2023 Work Life Balance Act to add remote working provisions and related requirements.
- Currently at Second Stage debate; specific enforcement mechanisms and employer exceptions not yet detailed.
Maternity Protection (Child Bereavement) (Amendment) Bill 2026
29 Jan 2026 Second Stage Current Chris Andrews
- Amends Maternity Protection Act 1994 to let employees delay taking maternity leave if their child dies.
- Allows relevant employees to postpone maternity leave entitlements following child bereavement.
- Includes related provisions to support bereaved employees; specific deferral terms and conditions not detailed in long title.
Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026
29 Jan 2026 Second Stage Current
- Expands prison officers' powers: allows use of incapacitant spray (subject to Firearms Act 1925 rules); updates Prisons Act 2007 accordingly.
- Criminal justice changes: faster extradition via provisional arrest without warrant; DNA profile rules updated; accommodation-for-sex offences added; anti-social behaviour orders strengthened.
- Courts and licensing: Chief Justice non-judicial functions clarified; outdoor seating areas of pubs can now be licensed; community service orders amended.
National Training Fund (Amendment) Bill 2025
9 Jan 2026 Enacted
- Allows payments from the National Training Fund for a specific scheme under the 2000 Act's section 7.
- Amends the National Training Fund Act 2000 to enable these new payment arrangements.
- Practical effect: Expands how National Training Fund money can be used for training-related purposes.
Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025
23 Dec 2025 Enacted
- Employees can notify employers they don't consent to retire at contractual retirement age and cannot be penalized for doing so.
- Employers cannot enforce retirement before pensionable age unless justified by legitimate business aim with appropriate, necessary means.
- Amends Workplace Relations Act 2015 to protect employees refusing contractual retirement ages and establish legal framework for employer justification.
Education (Leave for Injuries) Bill 2025
18 Dec 2025 Second Stage Current Laura Harmon
- Creates standards for a leave-of-absence scheme run by the Education Minister for teachers and special needs assistants injured at work.
- Sets rules teachers and assistants must follow to qualify for and use injury-related leave benefits under the scheme.
- Applies to teachers and special needs assistants; exact injury types and leave duration details not yet specified in bill text.
Just Transition (Worker and Community Environmental Rights) Bill 2021
11 Dec 2025 Second Stage Defeated Jennifer Whitmore
- Creates National Just Transition Commission to bring workers, communities, employers, and government together on plans for shifting to a low-carbon economy fairly.
- Requires certain bodies to prepare just transition plans detailing how they'll manage the shift to low-carbon operations while protecting workers and communities.
- Amends Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 to embed fair transition principles into climate policy and related government decision-making.
National Minimum Wage (Inclusion of Young Persons, Apprentices and Interns) Bill 2025
10 Dec 2025 Second Stage Current Malcolm Noonan
- Young employees will receive the full national minimum wage instead of reduced youth rates.
- Apprentices become covered by minimum wage laws for the first time; interns and work-experience participants must be paid minimum wage.
- Amends the 2000 National Minimum Wage Act to expand who qualifies for statutory wage protection.
Parental Bereavement Leave (Amendment) Bill 2021
11 Nov 2025 Committee Stage Current Réada Cronin
- Amends Parental Leave Acts 1998 and 2006 to create new bereavement leave entitlement for employees whose child has died.
- Employees can take paid time off work to grieve and manage affairs following a child's death; specific duration not detailed in title.
- Bill currently in Committee Stage; exact leave entitlement, conditions, and implementation date not specified in available information.
Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021
2 Oct 2025 Committee Stage Current Bríd Smith
- Amends trade union and industrial relations law to give retired workers new rights and protections in disputes involving their pensions.
- Updates Pensions Act 1990 to allow retired workers enhanced representation in managing pension schemes that affect them.
- Extends representative associations' powers to act on behalf of retired persons in pension-related industrial relations matters.
Protection of Retail Workers Bill 2025
14 Aug 2025 Second Stage Current Mary Fitzpatrick
- Creates new criminal offences for assaulting or threatening retail workers while they work.
- Amends the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 to add these specific protections.
- Currently at Second Stage; practical penalties and exact scope of 'retail worker' undefined.
Pregnancy Loss (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025
10 Jul 2025 Committee Stage Current Nicole Ryan
- Provides paid leave for employees after pregnancy loss and amends working time laws to protect this entitlement.
- Extends unfair dismissal protections to employees dismissed due to pregnancy loss or related circumstances.
- Creates opt-in register recording pregnancy loss, accessible only to registrants—not public searchable.
Organisation of Working Time (Leave for Health Screening Purposes) Bill 2025
4 Jul 2025 Second Stage Current Duncan Smith
- Employees get paid time off to attend health screening programmes approved under the scheme.
- Amends 1997 Working Time Act; adds unfair dismissal protection if fired for taking screening leave.
- Details of eligible screening programmes and leave entitlements not yet specified in bill text.
Remuneration Information and Pay Transparency Bill 2023
19 Jun 2025 Committee Stage Current Catherine Ardagh
- Requires employers to disclose remuneration information to promote pay equality between employees.
- Amends Employment Equality Acts 1998–2021 to add pay transparency rules and related protections.
- Currently in Committee Stage; aims to reduce unexplained wage gaps through disclosure requirements.
Taxes Consolidation (Rights of Performers and Film Workers) (Amendment) Bill 2025
11 Jun 2025 Second Stage Current Aengus Ó Snodaigh
- Amends tax relief rules for film production: companies must now treat Irish performers equally and avoid 'buy-out' contracts to qualify.
- Requires film companies claiming Section 481 tax relief to comply with copyright law and issue proper performer agreements.
- Affects eligibility for Ireland's main film tax incentive; non-compliant companies lose certificate access and tax relief benefits.
Ukraine Solidarity Bill 2022
28 May 2025 Second Stage Current Jim O'Callaghan
- Establishes criminal and civil liability for aggression and related wrongs, with application beyond Ireland's borders.
- Recognizes qualifications of people displaced by the Ukraine conflict, enabling them to work or study in Ireland.
- Provides comprehensive support measures for Ukraine in response to the Russian Federation's military invasion.
Industrial Relations (Boycott of Joint Labour Committees) Bill 2025
22 May 2025 Second Stage Current George Lawlor
- Amends joint labour committee rules to allow appointments when employer or worker organisations refuse to consult Labour Court beforehand.
- Addresses boycotts by enabling committees to proceed despite one side's non-participation in the consultation process.
- Connected procedural changes to joint labour committee composition; specific mechanisms not detailed in long title.
Trade Union Recognition Bill 2021
19 May 2025 Second Stage Defeated Richard Boyd Barrett
- Allows trade unions to seek formal recognition if they represent at least 20% of workers in a workplace or job category.
- Creates a legal process for union recognition, giving unions negotiating rights without requiring employer agreement first.
- Bill did not pass; defeated at Second Stage in Dáil debate.
Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025
14 May 2025 Second Stage Current Conor Murphy
- Adds socio-economic background as a protected characteristic under employment and public services equality law, preventing discrimination based on disadvantaged background.
- Amends Employment Equality Act 1998 and Equal Status Act 2000 to extend protections to employment, education, housing, and goods/services access.
- Bill currently at Second Stage; specific enforcement mechanisms, exemptions, and implementation details not yet publicly available.
Unfair Dismissals (Increased Protections for Workers) (Amendment) Bill 2023
2 May 2025 Second Stage Current Catherine Murphy
- Expands who counts as a 'worker' under unfair dismissal law to include more employment categories.
- Increases protection for workers taking industrial action and those in protected categories from being unfairly dismissed.
- Reforms how compensation is calculated when unfair dismissal occurs, though specific amounts not detailed here.
Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021
2 May 2025 Committee Stage Current Ivana Bacik
- Employees get paid leave following miscarriage or to access reproductive healthcare services.
- Amends 1997 Working Time Act; adds unfair dismissal protection for taking this leave.
- Prevents employers firing or penalizing staff for miscarriage-related absence or medical appointments.
National Minimum Wage (Equal Pay for Young Workers) Bill 2022
2 May 2025 Committee Stage Current Paul Murphy
- Removes age-based lower minimum wage rates for workers aged 16-20, making them eligible for the standard national minimum wage.
- Amends the National Minimum Wage Act 2000 to eliminate youth wage differential provisions currently in place.
- Bill is at Committee Stage; practical effect depends on amendments proposed and final passage through the Oireachtas.
Living Wage Bill 2022
2 May 2025 Committee Stage Current Ivana Bacik
- Amends minimum wage law to set hourly rates that provide a living income, not just subsistence.
- Establishes process for determining, declaring, and regularly reviewing the national minimum hourly rate.
- Aims to ensure minimum wage tracks actual cost of living rather than staying fixed.
Companies (Protection of Employees’ Rights in Liquidations) Bill 2021
2 May 2025 Committee Stage Current Mick Barry
- Employees in collective redundancy situations gain preferential creditor status in company liquidations, improving payment priority.
- Redundancy payments are formally recognized in winding-up proceedings, affecting how employee debts are treated.
- Amends the Companies Act 2014 to strengthen employee protections when companies shut down or restructure.
Regulation of Lobbying (Post-Term Employment as Lobbyist) Bill 2020
2 May 2025 Committee Stage Current Ged Nash
- Restricts when former politicians and public officials can work as lobbyists after leaving office by amending the 2015 lobbying law.
- Adds new rules to prevent recent former office-holders from immediately switching to lobbying roles that could exploit their connections.
- Creates 'cooling-off' periods or post-term employment restrictions; specific duration and coverage details not provided in bill title.
Public Services and Procurement (Workers' Rights) Bill 2017
2 May 2025 Second Stage Current Richard Boyd Barrett
- Public contracts cannot use lower wages or worse working conditions as competitive advantages in bidding.
- Bidders must maintain nationally established minimum wage and employment standards; selection criteria will reflect this requirement.
- Different rules may apply to contracts above or below EU spending thresholds; protects workers across all public procurement.
Health (Postponement of Certain Leave) Bill 2024
28 Mar 2025 Second Stage Current Mary Fitzpatrick
- Amends maternity and adoptive leave laws to allow postponement if person is diagnosed with or undergoing cancer treatment.
- Creates mechanism for eligible parents to defer their leave entitlements during medical treatment, then take it later.
- Applies to Maternity Protection Act 1994 and Adoptive Leave Act 1995; specific postponement conditions and duration not detailed in long title.
National Minimum Wage (Adequate Wages for Living) Bill 2024
5 Mar 2025 Second Stage Current Alice-Mary Higgins
- Amends the 2000 National Minimum Wage Act to implement an EU directive on adequate minimum wages across member states.
- Directive 2022/2041 sets standards for minimum wage levels; bill transposes these requirements into Irish law.
- Bill is at Second Stage; specific wage rates and implementation timeline not provided in available information.
Protection of Employees (Trade Union Subscriptions) Bill 2024
28 Feb 2025 Second Stage Defeated Joan Collins
- Employers must deduct trade union subscriptions from employee wages when asked in writing by the employee.
- Employers must send deducted amounts to the specified trade union within 21 days, along with required information.
- Bill defeated at Second Stage; did not proceed to further legislative consideration.
Employment Equality (Pay Transparency) Bill 2022
20 Feb 2025 Second Stage Lapsed Pa Daly
- Amends Employment Equality Act 1998 to require pay ranges be disclosed when advertising job vacancies.
- Aims to increase wage transparency so job seekers can see salary expectations before applying.
- Bill lapsed before completion; did not become law. Practical effect: no mandatory pay disclosure requirement currently in place.
Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021
20 Feb 2025 Second Stage Lapsed Chris Andrews
- Adds protection against discrimination based on social and economic disadvantage to employment and public services laws.
- Amends Employment Equality Act 1998 and Equal Status Act 2000 to include this new protected ground.
- Bill lapsed during Second Stage; did not progress to law.
Construction Safety Licensing Bill 2023
5 Feb 2025 Report Stage Current
- Creates a licensing authority to license construction workers doing specific activities and trainers providing construction training.
- Establishes a register of licensed workers, investigates complaints against licensees, and sets up an appeals committee for decisions.
- Designates the licensing authority as Ireland's competent authority under EU professional qualifications recognition rules.
Public Procurement (Collective Bargaining and Collective Agreements Criteria) Bill 2024
30 Jan 2025 First Stage Lapsed Paul Gavan
- Public contracts can now favour companies that use collective bargaining and collective agreements with employees when scoring bids.
- Implements EU Directive 2014/24/EU by adding collective bargaining status as a weighted award criterion in government procurement.
- Bill lapsed at First Stage; did not progress to legislative debate or votes.
Workplace Relations (Exemplary Damages, Unfair Dismissals and Other Provisions) Bill 2024
30 Jan 2025 First Stage Lapsed Mark Wall
- Allows Workplace Relations Commission and Labour Court to award exemplary damages in certain workplace cases.
- Makes non-disclosure agreements unenforceable against employees who didn't get independent legal advice before signing.
- Updates unfair dismissal laws to match EU rules on transparent, predictable working conditions for employees.
Protection of Retail Workers Bill 2024
30 Jan 2025 First Stage Lapsed Malcolm Byrne
- Creates new criminal offences for assaulting or threatening retail workers while they work.
- Amends the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 to add these specific protections.
- Bill did not progress beyond First Stage and has lapsed without becoming law.
Broadcasting (Restriction of Salaries) Bill 2023
30 Jan 2025 Second Stage Lapsed Rónán Mullen
- Amends Broadcasting Act 2009 to require disclosure of pay for certain individuals employed by or contracted to broadcasting corporations.
- Aims to increase public transparency about remuneration at broadcasting organizations in the public interest.
- Bill lapsed and did not progress beyond Second Stage debate in Dáil Éireann.
National Minimum Wage (Inclusion of Apprentices) Bill 2023
30 Jan 2025 Second Stage Lapsed Marie Sherlock
- Extends national minimum wage protections to apprentices by amending the National Minimum Wage Act 2000.
- Apprentices currently excluded from minimum wage requirements; this bill includes them within existing wage protections.
- Bill lapsed at Second Stage; did not progress to further debate or enactment.
National Minimum Wage (Payment of Interns) Bill 2022
30 Jan 2025 Second Stage Lapsed Marie Sherlock
- Requires employers to pay the national minimum wage to interns and work-experience participants, amending the 2000 National Minimum Wage Act.
- Closes a gap where interns could previously work without minimum wage protection; extends wage rights to this group.
- Bill did not progress past Second Stage debate and lapsed without becoming law.
Right to Flexible Work Bill 2022
30 Jan 2025 First Stage Lapsed Annie Hoey
- Employees gain legal right to request flexible work arrangements from their employer.
- Employers must respond to requests within a set timeframe and can only refuse if not reasonably practicable.
- Employers must have written flexible work policy; employees and Workplace Relations Commission can inspect it. Appeals available against refusals.
National Minimum Wage (Removal of Sub-minimum Rates of Pay) Bill 2021
30 Jan 2025 First Stage Lapsed Paul Gavan
- Amends National Minimum Wage Act 2000 to remove lower pay rates for 16-year-olds and new employees in first two years.
- All affected workers would receive the standard minimum wage instead of current reduced rates.
- Bill did not progress beyond First Stage introduction in Seanad; lapsed without becoming law.
Worker Co-Operatives and Right To Buy Bill 2021
30 Jan 2025 First Stage Lapsed Paul Gavan
- Amends the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1893 to update rules governing worker co-operatives and related organisations.
- Bill lapsed without progressing beyond First Stage; specific provisions on 'right to buy' not detailed in available information.
- Intended to modernise legal framework for industrial and provident societies, but detailed scope of changes unavailable.
Protection of Employment (Platform Workers and Bogus Self-Employment) Bill 2021
30 Jan 2025 First Stage Lapsed Marie Sherlock
- Makes employment status a legal question, not just what employer and worker agree. Courts decide true status independently.
- Creates presumption workers are employees unless proven otherwise. Stops employers falsely labeling staff as self-employed to avoid benefits.
- Amends 1994 employment law. Requires clearer written information about actual employment status and worker rights.
Special Measures in the Public Interest (Derrybrien Wind Farm) Bill 2023
30 Jan 2025 First Stage Defeated Tom Clonan
- Bill transfers Derrybrien wind farm ownership to Western Development Commission to help secure Ireland's electricity supply.
- Allows removal of current Gort Windfarms staff and appointment of new personnel; renames company and transfers land lease.
- Suspends certain company law rules for Gort Windfarms; existing contracts remain valid. Bill was defeated at first stage.
Family Courts Bill 2022
18 Nov 2024 Enacted
- Creates three specialized family court divisions within existing High, Circuit, and District Courts to handle family law cases separately from other matters.
- Reallocates family law jurisdiction between courts and assigns judges to family divisions; updates rules for conducting family proceedings.
- Amends 40+ family law and court acts to support the new structure, including changes to maintenance, guardianship, adoption, domestic violence, and child protection laws.
Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2024
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Jim O'Callaghan
- Amends 1994 Maternity Protection Act to let mothers diagnosed with cancer or serious illness during pregnancy postpone their maternity leave.
- Allows mothers to defer maternity leave entitlements when facing serious health conditions, enabling them to manage treatment and recovery.
- Bill status: lapsed at Second Stage; specific postponement periods and conditions not detailed in available information.
Personal Protective Equipment (Covid-19) Bill 2022
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Paul Murphy
- Amends workplace safety law to require employers provide FFP-2 or higher-grade masks to employees when needed during Covid-19, targeting education and healthcare workers.
- Mandates a review of this mask provision within 3 months of the Act coming into force to assess ongoing necessity.
- Bill lapsed without passage; status unknown regarding whether these protections were implemented through other means.
Employment Equality (Abolition of Mandatory Retirement Age) Bill 2022
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Louise O'Reilly
- Amends Employment Equality Act 1998 to remove mandatory retirement age rules for workers.
- Allows employees to continue working beyond current forced retirement age limits.
- Bill lapsed at First Stage; specific retirement age threshold and exemptions not confirmed from available text.
Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2021
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Mairéad Farrell
- Amends the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, which protects workers reporting wrongdoing. Specific changes not detailed in available information.
- Bill sponsored by Mairéad Farrell. Lapsed during First Stage, meaning it did not progress through the legislative process.
- Related matters regarding whistleblower protections addressed, but exact scope and practical effects are not specified in provided details.
Local Government (Maternity and Family Leave for Elected Members) Bill 2021
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Holly Cairns
- Lets elected local authority members take maternity, adoptive, parental, or force majeure leave, following similar rules as council staff.
- Amends rules on deemed resignation for non-attendance to account for approved leave periods.
- Bill lapsed at First Stage; status indicates it did not progress through the Oireachtas.
Credit Union (Amendment) Bill 2021
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Marian Harkin
- Expands credit unions' purposes to offer members additional financial services beyond traditional lending, if mutually beneficial.
- Creates a Credit Union Policy Committee to oversee credit union matters and policy development.
- Makes miscellaneous amendments to the Credit Union Act 1997; bill did not progress to law.
Organisation of Working Time (Workers' Rights and Bogus Self-Employment) (Amendment) Bill 2021
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Louise O'Reilly
- Amends 1997 Act to ban disguising employment as self-employment to avoid worker protections.
- Extends working time rules to Gardaí, Defence Forces, trainee doctors, and some self-employed workers.
- Aims to prevent employers reducing worker rights by misclassifying employment status.
Workplace Ventilation (Covid-19) Bill 2021
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Paul Murphy
- Amends workplace safety law to define adequate fresh air using CO2 levels as a Covid-19 prevention measure in workplaces.
- Gives health and safety inspectors power to measure CO2 and issue notices requiring improvements or stopping work if unsafe.
- Allows employees to request inspections of their workplace's ventilation and air quality standards.
Employment Equality (Amendment) (Non-Disclosure Agreements) Bill 2021
14 Nov 2024 Fifth Stage Lapsed Lynn Ruane
- Restricts non-disclosure agreements from being used to conceal workplace sexual harassment and discrimination incidents.
- Amends Employment Equality Acts to prevent confidentiality clauses silencing victims of harassment or discriminatory treatment.
- Bill lapsed without becoming law; would have allowed harassment victims to speak openly despite contractual restrictions.
Redundancy Payments (Lay off, Short Time and Calculation of Reckonable Service) Bill 2021
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Louise O'Reilly
- Amends 1967 Redundancy Payments Act to change how lay-off and short-time periods are counted toward redundancy eligibility.
- Alters calculation of 'reckonable service'—the work history used to determine redundancy payment amounts.
- Bill lapsed before passage; specific changes to lay-off thresholds and service counting rules not detailed in available text.
Organisation of Working Time (Amendment) (Carryover of Annual Leave) (Covid-19) Bill 2020
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Louise O'Reilly
- Amends 1997 Working Time Act to let employees carry over unused annual leave if Covid-19 made it impractical to take time off.
- Allows leave carryover instead of losing it when pandemic disruptions prevented employees from taking entitled holidays during that year.
- Bill lapsed at First Stage; did not progress to law. Status unclear whether reintroduced or replaced by other measures.
Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2020
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Mairéad Farrell
- Extends lobbying rules to more people and gives the Commission power to issue communication directions and investigate Code of Conduct breaches.
- Increases cooling-off period for former public officials from one to two years before lobbying their former workplace.
- Makes certain post-employment violations a criminal offence and allows the Commission to publish details of cooling-off period waivers or reductions.
Organisation of Working Time (Domestic Violence Leave) Bill 2020
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Louise O'Reilly
- Allows employees experiencing domestic violence to take paid leave from work without losing their job or pay.
- Amends the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 to create this new leave entitlement and protects against unfair dismissal.
- Extends legal protections so workers cannot be fired or penalized for taking domestic violence leave.
Organisation of Working Time (Amendment) (Right to Disconnect) Bill 2020
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Louise O'Reilly
- Amends Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 to create legal procedures allowing employees to disconnect from work communications outside working hours.
- Covers work-related emails, texts, and calls; establishes framework for when employers cannot require employees to respond.
- Bill lapsed at First Stage; did not progress to become law.
Sick Leave and Parental Leave (Covid-19) Bill 2020
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Alan Kelly
- Provides employees with paid leave during illness or injury periods.
- Expands parental force majeure leave when children cannot attend school due to Covid-19 measures.
- Bill lapsed; did not progress beyond Second Stage debate.
Industrial Relations (Sectoral Employment Orders Confirmation) Bill 2020
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Ged Nash
- Converts Labour Court recommendations on pay and working conditions into legally binding rules for specific economic sectors.
- Allows sectoral employment orders to set minimum standards across industries without requiring individual employer agreements.
- Bill did not progress beyond introduction; lapsed without becoming law.
Broadcasting (Amendment) (Protection of Journalism) Bill 2019
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed David Cullinane
- Amends Broadcasting Act 2009 to make it unlawful for broadcasters to ban journalists from National Union of Journalists based on their employment status.
- Creates breach of contract or licence condition if broadcasters prohibit NUJ members from media access due to occupation, employer, or employment reasons.
- Bill lapsed at Second Stage; did not progress to law. Practical effect: no legal change to broadcasting rules regarding journalist access.
Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Gender Pay Gap Information) Bill 2017
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
- Requires certain employers to publish data on employee pay differences between men and women, showing whether gaps exist and their scale.
- Amends the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 to enable the Commission to enforce these gender pay gap reporting requirements.
- Bill lapsed during legislative process; specific employer thresholds, reporting timelines, and penalties not detailed in long title alone.
Trade Union (Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces) Bill 2017
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Aengus Ó Snodaigh
- Allows Gardaí and Defence Forces members to join trade unions and associations, ending current legal ban.
- Permits Defence Forces associations to become trade unions if they wish to reconstitute themselves.
- Bans strike action by Gardaí, Defence Forces, and their unions to protect public safety.
National Minimum Wage (Protection of Employee Tips) Bill 2017
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Paul Gavan
- Amends National Minimum Wage Act 2000 to protect service sector employees' right to receive customer tips and gratuities.
- Ensures tips paid by customers reach employees rather than being retained by employers or deducted from wages.
- Bill lapsed before completion; specific enforcement mechanisms and penalties not yet enacted into law.
Protection of Employees (Collective Redundancies) Bill 2017
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed David Cullinane
- Provides protections for employees facing collective redundancy when their employer becomes insolvent.
- Addresses related matters connected to employee safeguards in insolvency-driven mass layoff situations.
- Bill lapsed during legislative process; specific protections and implementation details not enacted.
Protection of Minimum Wage Earners Bill 2013
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Pearse Doherty
- Amends Finance Act 2011 to raise income thresholds for universal social charge (USC) liability.
- Aimed to reduce USC burden on lower-income earners by increasing threshold levels.
- Bill lapsed without becoming law; did not progress beyond First Stage in Dáil.
Maternity Protection, Employment Equality and Preservation of Certain Records Bill 2024
4 Nov 2024 Enacted
- Amends Maternity Protection Act 1994 and Employment Equality Act 1998 to extend maternity protections; allows Oireachtas members to take maternity leave.
- Modifies Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 regarding maternity-related benefits and entitlements for affected workers.
- Requires preservation of specific records from certain institutions and bodies for public interest purposes; details of affected institutions not specified in long title.
Motor Insurance Insolvency Compensation Bill 2024
15 Oct 2024 Enacted
- Implements EU motor insurance directives into Irish law, requiring drivers to have civil liability insurance and establishing compensation rules.
- Amends four Acts to update insurance regulations, VAT treatment, and Treasury Agency powers to enforce motor insurance requirements.
- Establishes framework for compensating victims of uninsured or untraced drivers when insurers become insolvent.
Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Allows organ and tissue donation from living and deceased persons for transplantation. Establishes a register for people to opt out of donating certain organs after death.
- Permits living persons to donate their bodies for anatomical examination or public display after death. Requires licenses for those conducting such activities. Consent mandatory for all procedures.
- Regulates hospital post-mortems and creates oversight panels for certain donations. Repeals 1832 Anatomy Act and updates related medical and coroner laws.
Credit Union (Amendment) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Creates corporate credit unions as a new entity type; amends 1997 Act to establish this structure and related governance rules.
- Expands credit union membership eligibility, investment options, loan interest rate caps, and allows inter-credit-union lending and service sharing.
- Changes credit union governance requirements and operational scope under amended Credit Union Act 1997; specific membership and investment limits not detailed in title.
Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Local authority members now entitled to maternity leave protections previously available only to employees under the 1994 Act.
- Absence for maternity leave no longer counts as casual vacancy; allows temporary replacement members during extended absences.
- Amends Maternity Protection Act 1994 and Local Government Act 2001 to extend protections and manage council seat continuity.
Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Minister can guarantee credit to businesses affected by Russia's invasion of Ukraine under existing Credit Guarantee Act framework.
- Minister's liability for guarantees is capped at a specific monetary limit to control government financial exposure.
- Expands which business types can access the guarantee scheme and updates related loan guarantee legislation accordingly.
Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Amends parental leave law to allow employees medical care leave and flexible working rights for caring responsibilities, implementing EU Directive 2019/1158.
- Updates employment laws including redundancy, dismissal, maternity, adoption, working time, minimum wage, and workplace relations acts with work-life balance provisions.
- Specific changes to each act not detailed in title; practical effects depend on amending regulations and statutory instruments not provided here.
Employment Permits Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Creates employment permit system for foreign workers. Replaces 2003 and 2006 permit laws with updated rules and enforcement powers.
- Prohibits employing foreign nationals without valid permits. Minister sets conditions via regulations. Breaches face penalties.
- Allows foreign workers to seek compensation in court for unpaid work. Repeals previous employment permit legislation.
Water Environment (Abstractions and Associated Impoundments) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Regulates water extraction through licensing and registration systems, enforced by EPA and local authorities. Replaces 1942-1977 water laws.
- Irish Water can abstract water for public supply, including emergency extractions, with compensation provisions for certain abstractions.
- Implements EU water policy directives. Minister sets daily abstraction thresholds and can exempt certain extraction categories from requirements.
Communications Regulation and Digital Hub Development Agency (Amendment) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Implements EU Electronic Communications Code directive: network providers must manage security risks; high-risk component suppliers face restrictions.
- Adds consumer protections, complaint resolution processes, and interim breach measures for electronic communications services.
- Establishes administrative penalties for breaches; amends 2002 Communications Act, 2003 Digital Hub Act, and 1983 Postal Act; funds post office network.
Screening of Third Country Transactions Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment can review foreign transactions posing security or public order risks to Ireland.
- Minister can demand information from parties involved and block or condition transactions deemed threatening to state security.
- Independent appeal panel established for people to challenge ministerial decisions; advisory panel helps Minister assess transaction risks.
Consumer Rights Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Consolidates consumer rights for buying goods, digital content, and services from traders. Sets out what consumers can claim if items are faulty or don't match descriptions.
- Bans unfair contract terms that give traders unreasonable advantage over consumers. Implements EU directives on digital content sales and goods purchases.
- Updates hire-purchase and consumer-hire rules under Consumer Credit Act 1995. Strengthens enforcement of consumer protection laws against traders.
Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Central Bank can now collect data on deductions insurers make from claim payments, amending the 2018 Claims Database Act.
- Insurers must disclose deductions from claim payments and share information affecting claim validity with customers and regulator.
- Rules updated for UK/Gibraltar reinsurers operating in Ireland; Central Bank to report on insurer pricing practices.
Planning and Development, Maritime and Valuation (Amendment) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Prevents advertising rental properties in rent pressure zones for under 14 days, and streamlines planning applications by allowing consultation before full details are confirmed.
- Removes the requirement to apply for leave for substitute consent in planning; allows appeals to An Bord Pleanála for adjoining lands; changes judicial review procedures.
- Establishes Maritime Area Regulatory Authority chief executive role; allows Commissioner of Valuation to revoke valuation orders with ministerial consent; extends valuation list publication deadlines.
Sick Leave Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Employees get up to 3 statutory sick leave days per year, with pay calculated as prescribed by regulations.
- Minister can adjust the number of sick days allowed; Labour Court can exempt employers in certain circumstances.
- Employers must keep records of sick leave; amends Workplace Relations Act 2015 to support these provisions.
Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Implements EU directive requiring stronger protections for people reporting breaches of EU law, expanding the 2014 Protected Disclosures Act.
- Creates new Office of Protected Disclosures Commissioner to oversee whistleblower protections and investigate complaints of retaliation.
- Amends Freedom of Information, Ombudsman, and Workplace Relations Acts to strengthen whistleblower safeguards across government and employment.
Competition (Amendment) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Creates non-criminal enforcement system for competition breaches, including independent adjudication officers issuing prohibition notices and imposing financial penalties, structural remedies, and behavioral orders.
- Introduces leniency program for undertakings cooperating on competition violations; increases criminal penalties for competition law breaches; expands CCPC surveillance powers for criminal investigations.
- Amends five Acts (Competition 2002, CCPA 2014, Communications 2002, Consumer Protection 2007, Criminal Justice Surveillance 2009) to implement EU Directive 2019/1 on competition enforcement.
Payment of Wages (Amendment) (Tips and Gratuities) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Employers must fairly distribute tips and gratuities to employees and contract workers; cannot use tips to meet minimum wage obligations.
- Employers and certain businesses must inform the public how tips are handled—through notices or other means.
- Amends three Acts (Payment of Wages 1991, Terms of Employment 1994, Workplace Relations 2015) to enforce tip protections and transparency requirements.
Redundancy Payments (Amendment) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Amends Redundancy Payments Act 1967 to compensate employees for lay-off periods between 13 March 2020 and 30 September 2021.
- Eligible workers receive payments for time spent laid off during specified pandemic period, treating it as continuity of employment.
- Related provisions address implementation details and conditions for claiming payments under amended redundancy framework.
Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Creates Construction Industry Register Ireland to register building work providers; sets competence standards and investigates complaints against them.
- Amends Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act: rental income from principal residence tenancies assessed at lower rate; rate can be reduced or disregarded.
- Amends Residential Tenancies Act: increases notice period for certain tenancy terminations; requires landlords notify the Board; facilitates reletting offers.
Sea-Fisheries (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Creates a points registration system for Irish fishing boat masters, tracking violations under EU fishing regulations.
- Amends sea fisheries laws to enforce EU rules on fishing boat operations and master conduct standards.
- Updates existing point system regulations and related fisheries enforcement procedures.
Finance (European Stability Mechanism and Single Resolution Fund) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Approves Ireland's participation in updated European Stability Mechanism and Single Resolution Fund agreements signed in early 2021.
- Amends three existing finance acts to align Irish law with new EU financial stability and bank resolution arrangements.
- Enables Ireland to contribute to eurozone crisis management and banking sector stability mechanisms as agreed internationally.
Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Custodial Sentences) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Allows Ireland to enforce custodial sentences imposed by other EU member states, and lets other EU states enforce Irish sentences.
- Amends the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003 and related laws to enable cross-border enforcement of prison sentences within the EU.
- Strengthens procedural rights for people affected by sentences imposed in their absence across EU member states.
Workplace Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Changes who can be appointed as adjudication officers and allows Government to revoke appointments in certain cases.
- Requires Workplace Relations Commission to hold hearings in public, publish decisions, and enforce them only through formal notice.
- Makes Labour Court members independent in performing their duties; amends six employment and equality laws for consistency.
Employment Permits (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 First Stage Defeated Paul Murphy
- Amends employment permit laws to strengthen protections for foreign nationals working in Ireland.
- Updates four acts: 2003 and 2006 Employment Permits Acts, 1984 Insolvency Act, and 2017 Regulations.
- Bill defeated at First Stage; specific protections proposed are not publicly detailed in available legislative records.
Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Joint adoptive parents can now choose which partner takes statutory adoption leave instead of default rules applying.
- Parental leave period extended and timeframe for taking it expanded under the Parent's Leave and Benefit Act 2019.
- Child and Family Agency board size increases to nine members; personal injuries guidelines rules updated for courts.
Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Changes how employment contributions are calculated under social welfare law, affecting contribution records and eligibility.
- Creates new jobseeker's pay-related benefit, providing additional income support to people who lose employment.
- Removes requirement to notify people before attaching their income or assets during certain welfare investigations.
Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Creates a national authority to run an automatic retirement savings scheme for employees not covered by existing pension plans.
- Workers automatically enroll with employer and government contributions; participants can opt in or out and manage their accounts.
- Amends existing laws to support the scheme; exact legislative changes and contribution rates not specified in title alone.
Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Amends Social Welfare Acts to credit contributions for people providing long-term care, affecting State pension (contributory) eligibility.
- Allows voluntary deferral of State pension (contributory) access in certain circumstances, with related Social Welfare Act amendments.
- Amends Sick Leave Act 2022 and Workplace Relations Act 2015; makes other Social Welfare Act changes.
Employment (Collective Redundancies and Miscellaneous Provisions) and Companies (Amendment) Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Amends the Protection of Employment Act 1977 to update collective redundancy rules; practical effect not specified in title alone.
- Creates an employment law review group to monitor employment law and advise the Minister on needed changes.
- Amends the Companies Act 2014; specific changes not detailed in the long title provided.
Control of Exports Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Controls export of dual-use items (civil or military use) and military items; requires licenses for brokering services and technical assistance related to these goods.
- Replaces the 2008 Control of Exports Act; implements EU rules on export controls, including transit restrictions and information sharing between authorities.
- Minister grants export authorizations; creates appeals panel for license decisions, with confidentiality protections given the sensitive national security nature of appeals.
Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Decisions on Supervision Measures) Bill 2019
17 Feb 2023 Enacted
- Allows EU Member States to recognize and enforce supervision measures (like probation) imposed by other EU countries as alternatives to holding suspects in jail.
- Implements EU Framework Decision 2009/829/JHA into Irish law, enabling cross-border enforcement of non-custodial supervision orders.
- Streamlines judicial cooperation by letting courts accept supervision decisions from other EU states without re-examination of the underlying case.
Trade Union Representation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2018
10 Jan 2022 First Stage Defeated David Cullinane
- Amends 1941 and 2001 labour laws to give authorised unions the right to have employer recognition for member representation in pay negotiations and disciplinary cases.
- Employers would be required to acknowledge and deal with union representatives on collective bargaining and worker disciplinary matters.
- Bill did not progress beyond First Stage introduction; was defeated and did not become law.
Gender Pay Gap Information Bill 2019
22 Jul 2021 Enacted
- Requires certain employers to publish data showing pay differences between male and female employees and explain reasons for gaps.
- Employers must disclose measures taken or planned to eliminate or reduce gender pay disparities.
- Amends Employment Equality Act 1998 and Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 to enforce transparency.
Public Service Pay Bill 2020
9 Jul 2021 Enacted
- Adjusts restrictions from 2009 law that limited pay increases for public servants, allowing higher remuneration again.
- Amends two Acts: the 2009 Financial Emergency law and the 2011 Ministers and Secretaries law to enable changes.
- Removes emergency pay restraints that were imposed during financial crisis, restoring normal pay adjustment mechanisms.
Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2020
25 Mar 2021 Enacted
- Implements EU anti-fraud directive into Irish criminal law to protect EU financial interests from fraud.
- Amends the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 and related laws to strengthen fraud offence definitions.
- Specific changes to criminal offences and procedures missing from source; consult enacted text for detailed amendments.
Organisation of Working Time (Workers Rights and Bogus Self-Employment) (Amendment) Bill 2019
25 Feb 2021 First Stage Withdrawn Maurice Quinlivan
- Amends 1997 Act to ban falsely labeling employees as self-employed, protecting genuine employment status.
- Extends worker protections to Gardaí, Defence Forces, and trainee doctors; applies certain rights to self-employed.
- Bill withdrawn at First Stage; specific provisions and implementation details not available from title alone.
Finance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020
12 Jan 2021 Enacted
- Credit unions can hold meetings remotely and allow proxy voting during Covid-19, with Government able to extend this period by order.
- Amends Credit Union Act 1997 to temporarily suspend certain operational rules due to pandemic health risks.
- Updates Irish Fiscal Advisory Council member terms under Fiscal Responsibility Act 2012 and adjusts State loan agreements with EU.
Credit Union Restructuring Board (Dissolution) Bill 2019
16 Dec 2020 Enacted
- Dissolves the Credit Union Restructuring Board and transfers its functions to the Minister for Finance.
- Amends the Credit Union and Co-operation with Overseas Regulators Act 2012; exact amendments not specified in long title.
- Makes related changes to other laws as a result of the board's dissolution and function transfer.
National Minimum Wage (Removal of Sub-minimum Rates of Pay) Bill 2017
20 Apr 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Paul Gavan
- Amends National Minimum Wage Act 2000 to remove lower pay rates for workers aged 16 and over.
- Ends sub-minimum wages for employees in their first two years of employment.
- Bill lapsed without becoming law; did not progress past Second Stage debate.
Industrial Relations (Collective Action) Bill 2018
20 Apr 2020 First Stage Lapsed Paul Gavan
- Amends the 1990 Industrial Relations Act to allow collective action without exhausting all agreed dispute procedures first.
- Removes the legal requirement that workers must complete every step in company procedures before striking or taking industrial action.
- Bill lapsed at First Stage; no record of passage into law. Practical effect unclear as not enacted.
Protection of Employment (Uncertain Hours) Bill 2016
20 Apr 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
- Regulates zero-hours contracts and similar uncertain employment practices to increase worker protections.
- Aims to provide employees with greater job security and predictability regarding working hours.
- Bill lapsed without becoming law; specific provisions and enforcement mechanisms not detailed in available title.
Critical Health Professionals Bill 2017
20 Apr 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Mark Daly
- Allows critical health professionals in HSE-funded organisations to postpone mandatory retirement age if both employee and employer agree.
- Applies to staff in organisations funded by Department of Health, HSE, section 38 providers, and other health service providers.
- Removes forced retirement at contractual age for eligible health workers, subject to mutual consent between parties.
Protection of Employment (Measures to Counter False Self-Employment) Bill 2018
20 Apr 2020 Committee Stage Lapsed Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
- Establishes that employment status is a legal question determined independently, not by what employer and employee agree to call it.
- Protects workers misclassified as self-employed rather than employees, entitling them to employee protections and rights.
- Targets false self-employment arrangements where workers are actually employees but labeled as contractors to avoid employer obligations.
Arts (Dignity at Work) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018
20 Apr 2020 First Stage Lapsed Paul Gavan
- Allows Arts Council to require funded organisations comply with employment laws as a condition of receiving grants.
- Amends the 2003 Arts Act to give Council power to enforce workplace rights standards among funded arts bodies.
- Bill lapsed at First Stage; did not progress to debate or vote in the Oireachtas.
Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Bill 2020
2 Apr 2020 Enacted
- Temporarily suspends tenant evictions and modifies rental rules for 3 months (renewable by government order) during Covid-19.
- Allows fast-track registration of healthcare professionals, suspended military re-enlistment, and temporary wage subsidies for affected employees.
- Pauses planning deadlines, relaxes mental health review procedures, and permits remote civil registration to maintain essential services during emergency.
Employment Equality (Amendment) Bill 2013
19 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Jonathan O'Brien
- Adds gender identity as a protected characteristic in employment discrimination law alongside existing protections.
- Extends discrimination protections to cover civil status, gender identity, and sexual orientation in employment and vocational training.
- Amends Employment Equality Acts 1998–2011 to broaden who cannot be discriminated against in hiring, training, and professional bodies.
Equality (Amendment) Bill 2014
19 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Richard Boyd Barrett
- Amends employment and public services equality laws from 1998 and 2000, but specific changes not detailed in available information.
- Sponsored by Richard Boyd Barrett; bill did not progress beyond initial presentation stage.
- Status: Lapsed—bill expired without becoming law; full scope of proposed amendments unclear.
Trade Union Bill 2019
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Mick Barry
- Removes legal restrictions preventing trade union members from striking or taking industrial action.
- Amends Trade Union Acts 1871-1990 to broaden rights around strike participation and industrial disputes.
- Bill lapsed at First Stage; did not progress to further debate or voting in Dáil.
Organisation of Working Time (Domestic Violence Leave) Bill 2019
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Mary Lou McDonald
- Employees experiencing domestic violence get paid leave from work. Amends Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.
- Protects workers from dismissal for taking domestic violence leave. Extends unfair dismissal protections under existing law.
- Bill lapsed at First Stage; did not progress to full debate or enactment.
Prohibition of Bogus Self Employment Bill 2019
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Willie O'Dea
- Prevents employers from wrongly classifying employees as self-employed to avoid employment obligations.
- Addresses misclassification practice where employers deny workers employee rights and protections.
- Bill lapsed at First Stage; no provisions enacted into law.
Parental Bereavement Leave (Amendment) Bill 2019
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Anne Rabbitte
- Allows bereaved parents to take paid leave from work when their child dies, amending existing parental leave laws.
- Applies to employees who lose a child; specific leave duration and conditions not detailed in bill title alone.
- Bill did not progress beyond First Stage introduction; no longer active in legislative process.
Credit Union (Amendment) Bill 2019
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Michael McGrath
- Creates independent appeals process for credit unions to challenge Central Bank regulatory decisions.
- Amends the 2012 Credit Union Act to establish this new appeals mechanism.
- Bill did not progress beyond First Stage and has lapsed.
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.
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.
All Terrain Vehicle Safety Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Dara Calleary
- Sets safety standards for how all-terrain vehicles are made and their component materials.
- Requires health and safety practices when all-terrain vehicles are used at work.
- Bill did not progress beyond initial introduction; status is lapsed.
Prohibition of Bogus Self-Employment Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Ruth Coppinger
- Penalizes employers who misclassify employees as self-employed contractors to avoid employment protections and obligations.
- Bans dismissing workers to force them into false self-employment contracts, with redress through workplace relations claims.
- Amends unfair dismissal and workplace relations laws to give bogus contract workers legal recourse and remedies.
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.
Arts (Dignity at Work) (Amendment) Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Peadar Tóibín
- Arts Council can make funding conditional on organisations complying with employment law.
- Amends the 2003 Arts Act to give Council enforcement powers over funded bodies.
- Bill lapsed at First Stage; never became law. Specific compliance requirements not detailed.
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.
Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No.2) Bill 2017
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed James Browne
- Amends Employment Equality Act 1998 and Equal Status Act 2000 to ban discrimination based on mental health status.
- Protects people from unfair treatment in jobs and access to services because of their mental health condition.
- Bill lapsed without becoming law; did not progress beyond Second Stage debate in 2017.
Maternity Protection (Local Government Members) Bill 2017
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Anne Rabbitte
- Allows local government members to take full maternity leave, amending the Local Government Act 2001.
- Enables councillors and other local authority members to access maternity protections previously unavailable to them.
- Bill lapsed at First Stage; specific leave duration and benefits not detailed in available information.
Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Jim O'Callaghan
- Amends employment and equal status laws to ban discrimination based on someone's social or economic background.
- Applies to workplace hiring, pay, and treatment; also covers access to goods, services, and facilities.
- Bill did not progress beyond parliamentary Second Stage debate and lapsed without becoming law.
Industrial Relations (Defence Forces) (Amendment) Bill 2017
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Ruth Coppinger
- Allows Defence Forces members to access Workplace Relations Commission and Labour Court for workplace disputes.
- Removes restrictions preventing Defence Forces members from joining trade unions or their representative associations from affiliating with unions.
- Amends Industrial Relations Act 1990 and Defence (Amendment) Act 1990 to include Defence Forces in worker protections.
Employment Equality (Amendment) Bill 2016
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Mary Butler
- Amends Employment Equality Act 1998 to remove mandatory retirement rules if employees can prove they meet job fitness requirements.
- Allows workers to continue employment beyond current retirement age by demonstrating capability to perform contracted duties.
- Bill did not progress beyond First Stage and lapsed without becoming law.
Employment Equality (Abolition of Mandatory Retirement Age) Bill 2016
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed John Brady
- Amends Employment Equality Act 1998 to remove mandatory retirement age requirements for employees.
- Allows workers to continue employment beyond current mandatory retirement thresholds unless employer has justified grounds.
- Bill lapsed in Oireachtas; did not progress beyond Second Stage to become law.
Companies (Amendment) Bill 2016
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed David Cullinane
- Makes company officers personally liable for employment law breaches committed by their corporate body.
- Amends the Companies Act 2014 to impose individual accountability on officers acting for companies.
- Bill did not progress beyond First Stage and has lapsed without becoming law.
Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed David Cullinane
- Workers can request more hours; employers must consider requests and can only refuse for objective reasons.
- Employers must tell workers about total available hours in the workplace to improve transparency.
- Creates 'banded hours contracts' — employment agreements with defined hour ranges rather than fixed schedules.