WHAT ARE OUR politicians doing in the halls of Leinster House?

TheJournal.ie lets you know with our guide to what’s coming up to the Dáil and various Oireachtas committees today.

DÁIL

The day begins at 2pm with Joan Burton taking Dáil Questions to the Minister for Social Protection, with Leaders’ Questions kicking in at 3:15pm and the slightly more sedate Questions to the Taoiseach afterwards (3:36pm).

TDs discuss the agenda at 4:36pm and four of the day’s Topical Issues at 5:05pm, before getting onto the day’s main legislative business: laws paving the way for the sale of a national lottery licence as a fundraising initiative. Debate on Brendan Howlin’s bill continues until 7:30pm.

The evening is devoted to a Fianna Fáil motion – tabled before last Friday’s shooting in Co Louth – calling for the reversal of the closure of Garda stations this week and the reopening of Templemore to allow more recruits. Debate wraps up at 9pm.

The day’s Dáil business can all be viewed here.

SEANAD

The daily 75-minute discussion on the state of the world – masquerading as ‘Order of Business‘ begins at 1:30pm before members are addressed by Mairead McGuinness MEP on the theme of Ireland’s 40 years in the EU at 2:45pm. McGuinness’s talk will focus on agriculture and food.

At 4:15pm members begin debating amendments to the legislation introducing water charges, with Fergus O’Dowd on hand to oversee the government arguments. This will go on for as long as it needs, but realistically proceedings will be adjourned by about 7.

The day’s Seanad business can all be viewed here.

COMMITTEES

Three meetings happening today to brief you on:

• At 1:30pm the Jobs committee discusses a biannual report compiled by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on what’s been happening within the EU. The most recent six-monthly report, for January to June 2012, briefs the Oireachtas on things going on in EU law that relate to the Department’s role. Watch here.
• At 2pm the Agriculture committee debates the latest European plans to legislate for a single European market for agricultural products, before hearing from Comhairle na Tuaithe on ways to ensure good agricultural and environmental practices on farms. Watch here.
• The Environment committee meets with planning minister Jan O’Sullivan at 2:15pm to discuss the Mahon Tribunal’s recommendation that Ireland set up an independent planning regulator divorced from the influence of county councils. Watch here.

Explainer: How does a Bill become a law?

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