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, Seanad and various Oireachtas committees today.

DÁIL

Leaders’ Questions begins the day at 10:30am, while members agree to the rest of the day’s agenda in Order of Business just before 11am.

There are two Bills on the agenda today, which will soak up any spare time: the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Bill, which addresses the ‘Dunne ruling’ and clears the way for banks to repossess homes in major mortgage distress; and the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2012 which will legally enforce new three-year spending ceilings for government departments.

They’ll be discussed until 1:30pm, when there’s a lunch break, and resume after the following:

• Leo Varadkar taking questions to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport
• Discussion on four Topical Issues at 3:45pm, until just after 4:30pm
• 90 minutes of debate on Sinn Féin’s motion calling for a new initiative to reinvigorate the Northern Irish peace process, between 7:30pm and 9pm.

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

SEANAD

The Seanad’s day is probably one of the most high-profile it’s had for some time – between 4:30pm and 6:30pm members will debate legislation extending Seanad voting rights to all citizens, and massively overhauling its role in scrutinising statutory instruments (which make up almost 90 per cent of Irish laws). More here.

The morning has the more usual formula, however: a 75-minute chat on anything and everything at 10:30am; a discussion on Ireland’s wind energy at 11:45am, and a debate on the OECD’s report on Irish pensions at 3pm.

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

COMMITTEES

Four committee meetings today to be streamed online…

• It’s an early start for the Justice committee, which convenes at 9:30am to meet Alan Shatter and discuss proposed amendments to his new bill cracking down on money laundering and terrorist financing. (Watch here.)
• The Social Protection committee meets at 1pm when officials from the Department of Social Protection visit to discuss possible changes to the rent allowance system. (Watch here.)
• While the Seanad’s future is debated elsewhere, the committee on Public Expenditure and Reform debates legislation which originated there – considering amendments to Feargal Quinn’s Construction Contracts Bill. (Watch here.)
• Finally, the Public Service Oversight and Petitions committee meets at 5pm to examine the latest matters on which the public has demanded action. (Watch here.)

Explainer: How does a Bill become a law?

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