WHAT’S GOING ON in Leinster House?

Every day the Dáil and Seanad are sitting, TheJournal.ie brings you the most comprehensive guide to what our lawmakers are getting up to in the Houses of the Oireachtas.

So, here is what we can expect to be happening in the Dáil, Seanad and Committee rooms today…

3 things we’ll be keeping an eye on

• Dáil: Finance Bill – On the first day of the new timings for Dáil sittings, TDs will begin debate on the Finance Bill – which outlines most of the taxation measures announced in the Budget – at 10.45am. After adjourning for other matters at midday debate will resume at 3.34pm.
• Dáil: Leaders’ Questions – Those others matters include Taoiseach Enda Kenny taking questions from opposition leaders at the all-new time of midday.
• Seanad: Allowances – Brendan Howlin takes the unusual step of introducing the bill to cut the party leaders’ allowance and abolish ministerial severance payments in the Seanad and not the Dáil at 11.45am.

Everything else that’s happening in the Dáil

• TDs begin their day bright and early at 9.30am as Alan Shatter, in his role as Defence Minister, takes questions on that particular portfolio.
• After the Finance Bill and Leaders’ Questions, the Order of Business gets under way at 12.21pm or thereabouts followed by statements on the recent European Council meeting.
• After lunch TDs debate Topical Issues of the day at 2.46pm followed by further debate on the Finance Bill.
• The debate on Luke Ming Flanagan’s cannabis motion resumes at 7.30pm before a vote is called and the Dáil adjourns at 9pm.

Everything else that’s happening in the Seanad

• Senators begin their day at 10.30am with the Order of Business.
• After debate on the allowances legislation, the bill which enshrines the social welfare cuts announced in the budget – the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill – will continue to be discussed at 2pm.
• Then there are Matters on the Adjournment before the upper house itself adjourns for the day.

Everything else that’s happening in the Committees

• The Transport Committee meets in Committee Room 2 at 9.30am to discuss a number of EU legislative proposals including one on the maximum authorised weights and dimensions in national and international traffic with the Irish Road Haulage Association and Freight Transport Association,
• The Jobs Committee resumes discussion of the largest piece of legislation in the State’s history – the Companies Bill – at 10am in Committee Room 4.
• The Education Committee discusses the youth guarantee with various youth groups at 1pm in Committee Room 3.
• The Foreign Affairs Committee meets with officials from the Department to discuss Ireland’s membership of the UN Human Rights Council from this year until 2015 in Committee Room 1 at 2.30pm and then discusses a motion on approving the Arms Trade Treaty with the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore at 5pm.
• The Justice Committee meets in Committee Room 2 at 2pm to discuss Dáil and Seanad motions on two EU directives.
• The Public Oversight and Petitions Committee meets to consider petitions it has received in recent weeks, including the campaign to save Kilmainham Mill and the alleged theft, fraud and illegal sale of dissolved companies’ assets, at 4.45pm in Committee Room 3.

Here’s how to watch what’s going on in Leinster House today

• Dáil Éireann
• Seanad Éireann
• Committee Room 1
• Committee Room 2
• Committee Room 3
• Committee Room 4
• To access streams on iOS, click here

Like politics? Then why not ‘Like’ TheJournal.ie’s Politics page?

Explainer: How does a Bill become a law?

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More