The Dáil and Seanad resumed sittings today after the summer break. Government and Opposition whips agreed yesterday to change today's Dáil business to allow party leaders to make statements on the decommissioning of IRA weapons.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will explain how he hopes to move the Northern Ireland peace process forward following the negative unionist reaction to the IRA's announcement that it had decommissioned its arms.
The Government yesterday announced plans to publish 14 new Bills between now and Christmas, including legislation to wind up tribunals and a compensation scheme for people infected with HIV or Hepatitis C from State blood products.
Government chief whip Tom Kitt said yesterday the legislative programme would show the Coalition was "a very organised and cohesive" government.
"The pace of legislative reform since this Government took up office will be maintained," he said.
Fine Gael and Labour are expected to heap pressure on the Government during a debate tonight when they propose a private members' motion seeking an inquiry by the Comptroller and Auditor General into the decision to buy a farm at Thornton Hall, in north Dublin, to site a new prison at a cost of nearly €30 million.
During the next Dáil session, Minister for Finance Brian Cowen will begin work on December's Budget, which is expected to include a multi-annual national childcare programme, a cap on the Artists' Tax Exemption and an end to the tax-free status of stud farms.
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell's Bill to allow restaurants to serve beer and spirits will not be published until the middle of next year. His plans were blocked by the publicans' lobby, supported by many Fianna Fáil backbenchers and Ministers.
Mr McDowell's new defamation legislation, which was also deferred earlier this year after Cabinet objections, is now due to be published early next year.
Minister for Transport Martin Cullen is expected to soon publish his ten-year Strategic Transport Plan which includes a Dublin Airport metro, Luas extensions and new rail services for Cork and Limerick.