Government Chief Whip Minister Mary Butler Publishes Summer 2026 Legislation Programme
- Published on: 14 April 2026
- Last updated on: 14 April 2026
The Government Chief Whip, Minister Mary Butler TD, has today published the Government’s Summer 2026 Legislation Programme, setting out an ambitious programme of laws to be progressed during the Dáil and Seanad’s 13‑week summer session.
The Programme was approved by Cabinet earlier today, following engagement with all Departments and the Government Legislation Committee.
The Summer Programme includes 38 Bills prioritised for publication, 26 Bills prioritised for drafting, and a further 73 legislative measures in preparation, reflecting the scale of work underway across Government.
A further 25 pieces of legislation are currently at various stages before the Dáil, Seanad and in Committee. This includes the Critical Infrastructure Bill, which will begin its passage in the Dáil today – legislation designed to fast-track essential projects across the country.
Since taking office in January 2025, the Government has published 39 Bills and enacted 29 Acts, delivering real legislative change for people, families and communities across the country.
Publishing the Programme, Government Chief Whip Mary Butler TD said:
“Legislation is one of the ways Government turns commitments into action. It is how we protect people’s rights, improve public services, support communities and respond to real challenges facing families and workers.
“This Summer Legislation Programme reflects a series of proposed laws that will continue to improve housing supply, strengthen public safety, protect public health, support people with disabilities, and ensure fairness in our economy.”
Delivering on Priorities
The Summer 2026 Programme prioritises legislation across a wide range of areas that matter directly to people’s everyday lives, including:
- Housing and Planning - addressing apartment defects, improving building standards, and supporting housing delivery.
- Transport - addressing planning constraints at Dublin Airport that are limiting air connectivity, as well as further measures to improve road safety.
- Justice and Public Safety - strengthening Garda powers, tackling organised crime, improving victim protections, and enhancing cyber security.
- Health and Social Care - supporting patient safety, disability services, reproductive healthcare, and safeguarding vulnerable adults.
- Climate, Energy and Environment - advancing renewable energy, district heating, and environmental protections.
- Economic and Digital Reform - regulating artificial intelligence, strengthening enterprise supports, and improving consumer protections.
Minister Butler noted that the Summer Programme builds on steady progress already made:
“By Easter this year, the Government had enacted eight Acts, higher than the five Acts delivered in the Spring Session in year two of the previous two Governments. It also brings the total passed by this Dáil to twenty‑nine. That reflects consistent delivery and a strong legislative pipeline, particularly in complex and rights‑based areas such as justice, housing, health and climate.
“From fixing apartment defects and improving airport capacity, to protecting patients, safeguarding vulnerable people and strengthening public safety, these laws respond directly to the issues people raise with us every day.
“This Programme shows a Government focused on delivery — using legislation to improve people’s lives, strengthen our institutions, and plan responsibly for the future, we will continue to deliver the commitments in the five-year Programme for Government.”
Progress on the Summer Legislation Programme will continue to be monitored by the Government Legislation Committee, working closely with Departments, the Attorney General and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, to ensure that priority Bills are advanced in line with the agreed timetable.
A copy of the Summer 2026 Legislation programme is available on Gov.ie