Autumn Legislative Programme Published by Chief Whip Jack Chambers

Government Chief Whip Jack Chambers TD has published the legislative programme for the autumn 2021 Oireachtas session. It contains 46 bills for priority drafting and publication by Ministers in the coming period.

The programme was approved by Cabinet following consultation and engagement in recent weeks with government departments, officials and the Attorney General.

Minister Chambers said the autumn programme contained a range of important bills that will deliver on the commitments made in the Programme for Government, ensure the country can effectively overcome the challenges faced across different sectors of society and respond to new opportunities as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I am very pleased Cabinet has approved and signed off on the autumn legislative agenda. This programme further builds on the work already delivered by Government with 62 separate bills published since coming to office in June last year and 62 bills enacted in the same period.

“As we emerge out of the Covid-19 pandemic, we will prioritise the measures needed to ensure the country can continue to recover while also tackling the many challenges faced now and into the future so our society can prosper once more.

“This term we will prioritise legislation in the area of housing, including the Housing & Residential Tenancies Bill to protect tenants, and the Planning & Development Bill to replace the Strategic Housing Development (SHD) with a more streamlined system.

“We will work to make progress on the drafting of five health bills including the Health Insurance Amendment Bill and new legislation to ensure safe access to termination of pregnancy services.

“New justice legislation will reform court administration while the Garda Síochána (Digital Recording) Bill and the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill will better resource gardai and enhance community safety. In transport, the Road Traffic Bill will regulate e-scooters and clamp down on the dangerous use of scramblers in our communities."

Minister Chambers added: “This term will also see the passage of Budget 2022 and the Finance Bill will give effect to the changes outlined in the Budget. There will be four pieces of legislation in the areas of children and childcare including the Birth Information and Tracing Bill and Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Amendment Bill.

The Legislative Programme also contains new legislation on consumer rights protections, as well as the Online Safety & Media Regulation Bill to tackle the spread of harmful online content and the Animal Health & Welfare Bill which will ban fur farming across the State.

In addition, work will continue on the development, drafting and progression through the House of all other bills and not just those on the priority list.

Minister Chambers concluded: “The programme is an exciting and ambitious agenda of work and I would like to thank my colleagues, Government departments and the Attorney General for their work and assistance in preparing the Autumn Legislative Programme.”

Legislation Programme Autumn Session 2021

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