Thirty Bills form part of the next legislative programme as the new Dáil term begins on Tuesday.
The Government will prioritise rent reform, critical infrastructure changes, immigration, artificial intelligence (AI), public transport and healthcare.
The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill seeks to improve tenant protections and moderate rents. A controversial infrastructure Bill to develop the floating liquid natural gas (LNG) terminal as an emergency gas reserve is on the agenda along with the Critical Infrastructure Bill to allow specific projects be fast tracked, applying emergency powers where necessary.
The International Protection Bill, which aims to bring Ireland’s immigration laws in line with the controversial EU Migration and Asylum Pact, goes before Cabinet on Tuesday.
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So does legislation on the governance, enforcement and oversight of AI, one of 30 Bills set for priority drafting.
The list includes a Bill establishing a short-term lettings register and legislation to improve the disability assessment of needs process.
A Bill to permanently remove the cap on Dublin Airport passengers, currently 32 million, is to come before Cabinet in February.
Developments are also expected to include Jennie’s Law, legislation to introduce a domestic violence register allowing those convicted of domestic abuse to be publicly named.
On Tuesday the Dáil will debate legislation to ban the sale of single use or disposable vapes.
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The legislative programme was finalised on Friday ahead of the Coalition’s second year in office and after 12 months of rancour and division sparked by the most bitter row in years over speaking rights in the chamber.
Hostile exchanges over housing are likely to continue as Opposition parties focus on affordability along with the cost-of-living crisis, Government waste and bureaucracy among a range of issues.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said her party’s focus will continue to be “on making life affordable for ordinary people”, with the housing crisis “front and centre”.
“We will press relentlessly for measures that make renting affordable, that tackle dereliction and vacancy, and that finally deliver the public homes needed in every city, town and village,” she said.
Ms McDonald will also focus on “bringing the Opposition together wherever possible – framing common priorities, challenging Government complacency and insisting on accountability”.
The speaking rights row united the Opposition. Ms McDonald said: “When the combined Opposition has acted with unity and purpose, we have forced movement and exposed the failures.”
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The party also wants Irish unity at the centre of Ireland’s upcoming presidency of the EU.
Labour is also prioritising housing and “the need for a stronger State response to build more homes and a campaign to improve tenant rights”, according to party leader Ivana Bacik.
The party will also focus on improved rights to flexible and remote working, and “better public transport to address commuting delays and deliver more ambitious climate action”.
Ms Bacik said her party would continue to advocate for improved public services as she warned the State “must once and for all address the crisis in disability services, delays in the assessment of needs for children and improved access to healthcare to address growing waiting lists”.
She said the Government must stop dragging its feet on priority legislation and “make passing the Occupied Territories Bill a reality in the Dáil term ahead”. Senior Government sources have said work is ongoing on that legislation’s “implementability”.
Aontú will continue its push for accountability over what it terms Government waste and focus on cutting “bureaucracy and red tape that is leading to glacial infrastructure and house delivery”.
The party plans to launch a Bill to “reintroduce the planning process into the IPAS (International Protection Accommodation Service) sector”, lobby for legislation to ban the use of smartphones for under-16s, and “will seek economic measures that will give families back the confidence to be able to have children”.
