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

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

DÁIL

Our TDs should appear fresh-faced this afternoon after a long weekend in the sun to recover from last week’s marathon sitting in the Dáil. And, first up at 1pm, they will hear about the new and supposedly sustainable future of the Post Office.

Big Phil Hogan will get a grilling at 2pm as he takes questions as the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. He will be swiftly followed by the Taoiseach for the ever-entertaining Leaders’ Questions at 3.15pm. There will then be scripted questions to Enda Kenny at 3.36pm.

Topical issues today have not yet been chosen but we’ll know more at order of business at 4.36pm. The chamber will first deal with two motions in relation to Europe – one on the Council’s fight against fraud and the other on Europol training. Both will be referred to committee without debate.

Another piece of legislation will be pushed through its remaining stages as debates on the Health (Amendment) Bill 2013 continue. That must conclude at 11pm if not previously finished. The legislation deals with the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 and amendments to the 1970 Health Act.

Included in today’s packed schedule is a further debate on the Construction Contracts Bill 2010 which will regulate payments and deal with other construction contracts. That discussion also must conclude by 11pm.

From 7.30pm, the Technical Group are up for Deputy Mick Wallace’s Garda Síochána (Amendment) Bill 2013. The hodge-podge group of Independents and smaller party deputies want to “improve the democratic accountability of the Garda Síochána and to encourage community engagement and to ensure adherence to relevant human rights standards”. If accepted – which is unlikely given it was tabled by a non-government TD – it would strengthen the independence and functions of the Office of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and provide for the establishment of a body monitoring, oversight and supervisory functions over the Garda Síochána.

Watch the Dáil here.

SEANAD

Senators get to mull over the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013 again today from 11.45am but before that they, like the Dáil, must deal with two motions in relation to Europe – one on the Council’s fight against fraud and the other on Europol training. Both will be referred to committee without debate.

There will be a change of pace after lunch. Bellies full, members of the Upper House will examine the Land and Conveyancing Law Report Bill 2013 from 3.45pm. It is currently at Report Stage.

If you want to stick with the Seanad for the day, the Prison Development (Confirmation of Resolutions) Bill 2013 is going through all stages. That piece of legislation will pave the way for a new prison in Cork city.

Watch the Seanad here.

COMMITTEES

• It will have to be an early lunch for those on the Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation committee as they gather in Room 2 for 1.30pm to review the progress made during the Irish presidency on priority matters. Joining the members will be John Murphy, Secretary General at the Department of Jobs. The deputies and senators will also look at the Departmental Six-Monthly EU Scrutiny Report.
• At 2pm in Committee Room 3, the Agriculture, Food and the Marine committee members will be on their best behaviour to discuss the code of conduct for the grocery goods sector, including pricing, support for local produce and labelling. (Watch it here)
• Over in Room 4 at 2.15pm, chairperson designate of the Heritage Council, Conor Newman, has an engagement with the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht. (Watch it here)
• From 3pm, the European Union Affairs will resume its chat with policy advisor at the Foundation for European Progressive studies, David Kitching, on democratic legitimacy and accountability in the EU in Room 1. (Watch it here)
• The Happy New Ear Campaign are the guests at the Health and Children committee in Room 2 from 5.30pm. They will discuss their concerns about the backlog and waiting time for cochlear operations for deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Aoife Barry has more of the background on the issue. (Watch it here)

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