Foreign Affairs & EU
Bills affecting international relations, treaties, foreign aid and Ireland's place in the EU.
35 bills tracked under this topic.
Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026
3 Jul 2026 Cream List Current
- Prison officers can possess and use incapacitant spray during duties under Prison Rules; Firearms Act 1925 exempted accordingly.
- Community service orders available up to 24 months (from 12), with maximum hours raised to 480 and extended completion timeframe to two years.
- Two new sexual offences created: offering accommodation in exchange for sexual activity, with Class A fines as penalty.
Arbitration (Amendment) Bill 2025
11 Jun 2026 Fifth Stage Current
- Amends Arbitration Act 2010 to make investment-protection awards under CETA, EU-Chile agreement, and prescribed future agreements enforceable in Irish courts by High Court order.
- Awards cannot be enforced if doing so would breach Ireland's constitutional order or EU legal autonomy; appeal lies to Supreme Court only by its acceptance.
- Minister for Foreign Affairs may add other investment-protection agreements by statutory order subject to 21-day parliamentary annulment procedure.
International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill 2026
28 May 2026 Fifth Stage Current
- Allows Irish High Court judge to take oral evidence from Gardaí, Defence Forces members, civil servants, and former ministers for the UK's Omagh Bombing Inquiry.
- Permits survivors and family members (core participants) to attend evidence-taking sessions and hear witness testimony directly.
- Enables Inquiry to ask clarifying questions after judge's approved questions; evidence use restricted without consent of relevant Irish State body.
Sanctions against the State of Israel Bill 2025
21 May 2026 First Stage Defeated Paul Murphy
- Bans importing Israeli goods and technology, and financing such imports through loans, insurance or other financial means.
- Prohibits Irish business dealings with Israel: purchasing property or companies, providing loans, creating joint ventures, and supplying investment services.
- Blocks sales of goods and technology to Israel, technical assistance for Israeli infrastructure, and trading in Israeli securities or government loans.
Antarctic Treaty (Accension and Implementation) Bill 2026
20 Mar 2026 Second Stage Current Malcolm Byrne
- Enables Ireland to formally accede to the Antarctic Treaty (1959) and Madrid Protocol (1991), establishing legal framework for implementing international Antarctic obligations.
- Creates permit system requiring Irish citizens and bodies to obtain approval for Antarctic activities (scientific, tourism, construction); Minister assesses environmental impact and may impose conditions.
- Designates Minister for Foreign Affairs as responsible authority for Antarctic Treaty matters; grants inspection powers and enforcement authority; prohibits mineral extraction except scientific research.
Repeal of Exempted Development Regulations Bill 2026
27 Feb 2026 Second Stage Current Eoin Ó Broin
- Repeals two 2022–2023 regulations that exempted certain temporary accommodation buildings for international protection seekers from planning permission requirements.
- Removes exempted development status previously extended to 2028, requiring future accommodation facilities to obtain standard planning permission.
- Allows state agency to apply for planning retention permission for existing exempted accommodation to continue operating legally.
Seán Lemass Dublin International Airport Bill 2025
27 Nov 2025 Second Stage Current Malcolm Byrne
- Renames Dublin Airport to Seán Lemass Dublin International Airport to honour the former Taoiseach's economic and infrastructure contributions.
- Minister for Transport gains power to direct daa to implement renaming across signage, branding, and communications.
- Updates legal and public document references to reflect the new airport name.
Broadcasting (All Ireland Service) (Amendment) Bill 2025
25 Jun 2025 Second Stage Current Aengus Ó Snodaigh
- Requires national broadcasters to make reasonable efforts to end geo-blocking and exclusion of Northern Irish audiences from programming, competitions, and other services.
- Mandates Coimisiún na Meán report within six months on removing all-Ireland access barriers and requires Media Minister to engage with British government on television licensing rights.
- Requires broadcasters to proactively resolve competing intellectual property claims across island jurisdictions to ensure equal access to content for viewers north and south.
International Protection (Family Reunification) (Amendment) Bill 2017
2 May 2025 Committee Stage Current Frances Black
- Refugees and people with subsidiary protection can apply to bring qualifying family members to Ireland, including parents, siblings, children, and grandparents.
- Expands family reunification to include wards and guardians alongside traditional relations, widening who counts as eligible family.
- Bill currently in committee stage; establishes legal framework for processing these family reunification applications.
Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018
2 May 2025 Committee Stage Current Colette Kelleher
- Makes it illegal to import, sell, or provide goods/services from occupied territories, or extract resources there, under specific circumstances.
- Implements Ireland's obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention on protecting civilians during wartime and international humanitarian law.
- Bill currently at Committee Stage; creates criminal offences with related enforcement measures for violations.
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.
Construction Safety Licensing Bill 2023
5 Feb 2025 Report Stage Current
- Establishes a single licensing authority to license construction workers and tutors based on competence assessment, replacing the accredited training model.
- Creates a register of licensees and approved training organisations; sets up complaint, investigation, and appeals procedures for fraud or non-compliance.
- Designates the licensing authority as competent body to recognise foreign professional qualifications under EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
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.
Family Courts Bill 2022
18 Nov 2024 Enacted
- Establishes three specialized family court divisions—Family High Court, Family Circuit Court, and Family District Court—within existing court structures to handle family law proceedings.
- Assigns judges to family courts based on suitability for family law; Principal Judges serve minimum 4-year terms; ordinary judges serve minimum 3-year terms and may request reassignment.
- Requires courts to apply guiding principles including child welfare prioritization, encouraging alternative dispute resolution, and conducting proceedings informally without wigs or gowns.
Restriction of Imports (States in violation of obligations under the Genocide Convention and Occupied Territories) Bill 2024
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Catherine Connolly
- Creates criminal offences for importing, selling, or extracting resources from occupied territories or states violating Genocide Convention obligations.
- Makes it illegal to import goods from occupied settlements or provide services to defence/security forces of states in violation.
- Empowers Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to make regulations implementing the Bill's provisions.
Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Introduces soft opt-out system for organ donation: adults can donate organs after death unless they register objection on Organ Donation Opt-Out Register maintained by HSE.
- Requires consent for all post-mortem examinations in hospitals outside coroner jurisdiction; allows living persons to donate bodies for anatomical examination or public display.
- Repeals Anatomy Act 1832; establishes independent panel to approve certain living donations and altruistic donation; amends 2006 and 2012 EU tissue and organ regulations.
Employment Permits Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Replaces 2003 and 2006 Employment Permits Acts. Creates ten types of permits including new Seasonal Employment Permit for recurring seasonal roles.
- Requires foreign nationals to hold employment permit to work in Ireland; employers must ensure compliance or face penalties; subcontractors must verify permits are in place.
- Introduces Labour Market Needs Test requiring roles be advertised on EURES and online platforms before hiring non-EEA workers; maintains 50:50 rule requiring half workforce be EEA/UK/Swiss nationals.
Communications Regulation and Digital Hub Development Agency (Amendment) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Establishes security obligations for electronic communications providers to take appropriate risk management measures; allows Minister to set security guidelines and ComReg to enforce compliance.
- Creates consumer protections including minimum quality-of-service standards, customer charters, compensation schemes, and dispute resolution procedures through ComReg.
- Introduces administrative sanctions regime for regulatory breaches, including settlement and commitment procedures, with High Court appeals available.
Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Provides €400 monthly payment to people hosting temporary protection beneficiaries from Ukraine; payment exempt from means-testing and income tax.
- Expands childcare support eligibility to families with temporary protection status; enables online and multi-location non-national registration without registration districts.
- Recognizes driving licenses of temporary protection beneficiaries via Minister order; establishes jury procedures for Stardust nightclub inquests with employer wage obligations.
Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Allows Ireland to join IMF's New Arrangements to Borrow (NAB), enabling Central Bank to lend up to €2.3 billion to IMF during crises affecting global monetary system.
- Minister for Finance guarantees Central Bank repayment if IMF defaults on borrowed funds; covers from public funds via Central Fund.
- Increases PRGT grant contributions cap to €75 million; enables payments up to €50 million each to CCRT and other IMF trusts; sets overall limit of €325 million across all three.
European Arrest Warrant (Amendment) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Amends European Arrest Warrant Act 2003 to align Irish law with EU Framework Decision requirements, responding to EU infringement proceedings initiated in 2020.
- Makes High Court endorsement of arrest warrants mandatory rather than discretionary when compliance confirmed; establishes tighter timelines for court decisions and surrender procedures.
- Introduces procedural protections: persons tried in absentia receive judgment copies; detention reviews required; specialty rule (limits re-prosecution) becomes mandatory; privilege grounds for non-execution added.
Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Creates Construction Industry Register Ireland to register and regulate building works providers; government appoints registration body to assess competence, set standards, investigate complaints, and impose sanctions.
- Registered providers must demonstrate relevant qualifications or practical experience, maintain public liability insurance, comply with continuing professional development, and notify material changes to registration body.
- Establishes appeals process: complaints investigated by inspectors; Board determines sanctions (removal, suspension, or division restrictions); appeals go to Appeals Committee then High Court for major sanctions.
Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Amends Health Act 1947 to require mandatory quarantine in designated facilities for travellers from high-risk countries or those without pre-travel tests, for up to 14 days.
- Minister designates high-risk countries and quarantine facilities; travellers must pre-book and present themselves on arrival or face detention by gardaí.
- Quarantine costs charged to travellers as recoverable debt; appeals officer can review cases within 24 hours; exemptions available for asylum seekers and unaccompanied children.
Finance (European Stability Mechanism and Single Resolution Fund) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Approves two international agreements amending the European Stability Mechanism Treaty and the Single Resolution Fund arrangement, ratifying reforms agreed by eurozone countries in November 2020.
- Enables Ireland to introduce the Common Backstop to the Single Resolution Fund in January 2022, two years ahead of schedule, and updates Ireland's ESM capital contribution following Slovakia's correction period end.
- Amends three existing Irish Acts to update definitions and extend their scope to cover the new amending agreements, with no significant additional exchequer costs.
Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Custodial Sentences) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Allows Irish courts to recognize and enforce criminal sentences imposed by EU member states without the sentenced person's consent in certain circumstances, such as when they are a national of the executing state.
- Permits Irish authorities to transfer sentenced persons to other EU states for enforcement when rehabilitation prospects improve, subject to consultation with the executing state and consent requirements.
- Establishes procedures for provisional arrest, court applications for recognition, and grounds for refusal to enforce foreign sentences, with a 90-day decision timeline for court recognition applications.
Planning and Development, Heritage and Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Amends Planning and Development Act 2000 to allow Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to exercise heritage functions including commenting on planning applications and development plans without breaching section 30 prohibition on ministerial control of particular cases.
- Transfers heritage-related powers from Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts to Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage across Wildlife Acts, European site designation regulations, and protected structures provisions to resolve constitutional issues with ministerial function merging.
- Amends Broadcasting Act 2009 to remove references to Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism and allow Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to consult appropriate ministers on broadcasting matters.
Employment Permits (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 First Stage Defeated Paul Murphy
- Allows migrant workers without valid permits to access Workplace Relations Commission if they took reasonable steps to obtain one, enabling them to claim compensation for employer breaches.
- Permits migrant workers on general employment permits to change employers within first year if employment risks their health, safety, dignity or wellbeing, without losing work rights.
- Requires employers in meat processing, dairy and horticulture to provide sick pay schemes covering at least 70% of wages for 4 weeks to 6 months before receiving permits.
Health (Amendment) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Mandatory quarantine in government-designated facilities for travelers arriving from high-risk Covid-19 areas or without required test results; Minister designates risk areas.
- Increased penalties for Health Act violations: fines up to €4,000-€5,000 and imprisonment up to 6 months; fixed penalty notices up to €2,000.
- Alternatives to facility quarantine for international protection applicants and unaccompanied children; appeals process for early release on humanitarian grounds.
Social Welfare and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Child maintenance payments excluded from means tests for jobseeker's allowance, disability allowance, state pension (non-contributory), blind pension, carer's allowance and other welfare schemes.
- Repeal of Part 12 of Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 ends liable relative provisions; Department will no longer recoup claim costs from non-resident parents.
- Removes social welfare inspectors' and Deciding Officers' roles in enforcing liable relative obligations under repealed provisions.
Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Enables Ireland to contribute to trust funds established by European Investment Bank, EBRD, and Council of Europe Development Bank, with spending limits of €35m–€175m per institution.
- Authorizes Ireland to guarantee and contribute to EU macro-financial assistance to Ukraine under two agreements, with payments made from the Central Fund subject to Dáil oversight reporting.
- Requires banks in correspondent banking relationships to conduct enhanced money-laundering checks on EU-based counterparties, not just non-EU ones.
Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Repeals 1930–2014 National Monuments Acts; replaces with unified Register of Monuments protecting archaeological and historic sites without need for formal designation.
- Requires finders to report prescribed monuments within 72 hours; Minister conducts inspections and enters sites in Register; protects discoveries automatically.
- Applies special protection to monuments owned/guarded by Minister or local authority; regulates works via licensing; implements EIA and Habitats Directives.
Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Decisions on Supervision Measures) Bill 2019
17 Feb 2023 Enacted
- Allows Irish courts to grant bail to charged persons lawfully resident abroad, with conditions monitored in their home EU Member State instead of remand in custody.
- Enables Irish courts to recognize and monitor bail conditions for foreign-charged EU residents, with conditions adapted to Irish law where necessary, decided within 20 working days.
- Requires Central Authority (Minister for Justice) to consult with other Member States on supervision decisions, breaches, and victim risks; permits court hearings via live TV link when supervised person is abroad.
Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020
13 Dec 2022 Enacted
- Creates Irish Air Navigation Service (IANS), a new state company, to provide air navigation services separately from aviation regulation.
- Merges Commission for Aviation Regulation into Irish Aviation Authority to form single regulator for safety, security, economic regulation and consumer protection.
- Increases borrowing limit for daa and subsidiaries under Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Act 1998.
Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020
11 May 2021 Enacted
- Allows Minister for Health to make Orders and Regulations for healthcare reimbursement arrangements between Ireland and UK after transition period ends, supporting Common Travel Area maintenance.
- Enables Northern Ireland residents to claim reimbursement from Health Service Executive for necessary medical expenses incurred in EU Member States, EEA countries, and Switzerland.
- Amends tax law to extend income tax reliefs, pension scheme recognition, and other tax benefits to UK entities and residents post-transition to maintain existing arrangements for Irish taxpayers.
Affordable Housing and Fair Mortgage Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed John McGuinness
- Creates a national affordable housing exchange platform where not-for-profit housing providers get first refusal to buy mortgaged homes from struggling owners.
- Expands mortgage-to-rent schemes beyond local authorities, allowing voluntary and not-for-profit groups to help borrowers in arrears without public funding.
- Reconfigures Abhaile as a dedicated mortgage resolution agency aligned with EU law and human rights protections during housing emergencies.