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Minister Hildegarde Naughton publishes Autumn Legislative Programme with 51 priority bills due for progression
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Government Chief Whip Minister Hildegarde Naughton has today published the Autumn Legislative Programme which identifies 51 priority bills for progression in the Dáil session ahead. Having received approval from Government this morning (Tuesday), the Government Chief Whip, Minister Hildegarde Naughton, has confirmed that 27 bills will now be prioritised for publication and 24 bills for drafting.
The Autumn Legislative Programme is published following extensive engagement and consultation between the Chief Whip and Government Ministers and their departments, officials, and the Office of the Attorney General. Commenting on its publication, Minister Hildegarde Naughton said:
“In the first nine months of office as Government Chief Whip I am very pleased to confirm that we have seen some 32 bills enacted with a further 26 bills published and progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Government and indeed on the opposition benches to build on this progress between now and the end of the year.
“The Autumn Legislative Programme that I am publishing today demonstrates just how busy Ministers and their departments will be in the Dáíl session ahead. Government’s key priorities will be progressed over the term, and they include safeguarding the financial wellbeing of our ageing population through publication of the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill.
“We are also making a number of legislative changes in the space of housing that will benefit renters and those who want to own their own home. Every week some 400 people, couples and families are moving into their new home as supply of housing increases. To help renters, we will publish the Residential Tenancies (Right to Purchase) Bill 2023 which will give renters the first right of refusal to purchase a property when it is put on the market for sale. Separately, the Minister for Housing will publish the Planning and Development Bill providing much needed clarity to the current planning code in addition to the Land Value Sharing Bill which will allow the State to secure a proportion of the uplift in land values resulting from zoning and designation to facilitate provision of infrastructure.”
Continuing, the Government Chief Whip, who is also Minister of State in the Department of Health, said that Government delivering on its health commitments will remain a primary focus in the term ahead:
“We will progress legislation to support people in starting a family through the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill, and we are changing our statute books to ban children from purchasing vapes. A number of other health bills will also be drafted and published in the coming session including publication of a bill to provide for an exemption of Rent a Room income from the medical card assessment process, which will provide certainty to families and assist in boosting rental supply. Drafting will also be prioritised for the Mental Health Bill to update and replace the Mental Health Act 2001 to give effect to recommendations of an Expert Group Review on mental health legislation. Separately, work will progress on the establishment of a statutory Just Transition Commission which is a key element of Ireland’s transformation to a low-carbon country. The Minister for the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications will also continue drafting the Heat Bill which will establish a regulatory model for district heating to capture waste heat and redirect it towards homes and businesses.
“I am also looking forward to a number of important bills for publication by the Department of Justice including the Defamation Bill, the Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Agency Bill and Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill. Separately, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth will be progressing a Programme for Government commitment in banning conversion therapy practices in Ireland in addition to providing for the entitlement to maternity leave for Members of the Oireachtas.”
Concluding, Minister Naughton added:
“It will certainly be a busy Autumn Dáil session with some 51 bills progressing. Of course, it wouldn’t be an autumn session without Budget 2024 and the enactment of the necessary legislation to support households, families and businesses right across the country, while also ensuring that our economy continues to grow.”
Work will continue on the development, drafting and progression through the House of all other bills and not just those on the priority list.
