merrion street

A CRACKDOWN on white collar crime, new powers for the Coroners’ Courts and laws aimed at monitoring insurance premiums are part of a new Legislative Programme unveiled today by Government Chief Whip Joe McHugh TD.
The Cabinet today (Tuesday) approved 28 new Bills for priority publication.
While Budget 2018 will dominate the Oireachtas next month, priorities also include progress in Justice areas including corruption and money laundering.
Of the 24 Bills currently before the Dáil, Seanad and Oireachtas Committees Chief Whip McHugh will prioritise a number of them including the Public Health Alcohol Bill and the Civil Liability (Amendment) Bill which will allow for periodic payments for serious injury.
A Mediation Bill – when passed by the Oireachtas in the coming weeks - will introduce new ways of resolving disputes outside courts, reducing stress and legal bills.
The Affordable Childcare Bill, Victims of Crime Bill, Domestic Violence Bill, Technical Universities Bill, Judicial Appointments Bill and Planning & Development Bill are also among priorities for this Government.
Chief Whip McHugh says he is confident that the Government can make progress over the next three months in the enactment of new measures.
He confirmed he met senior civil servants from across Government Departments last week as well as the Attorney General and his staff to discuss prioritising legislation this autumn.
“I will work with my colleagues across the Dáil and the Seanad over the next few weeks to ensure this next session works even harder,” said McHugh.
The Chief Whip said that since taking office 17 months ago this Government has passed 44 Acts while 49 Bills have been published by Government.
“There are many priorities for Government from across the different Departments. I know a minority Government faces its own challenges but many of the proposals will have broad support across most of the parties and I am optimistic for the months ahead.
“As law-makers in a democracy we are duty-bound to pass laws which better lives and I think that’s something most politicians can agree on.”
The Chief Whip, who is also Minister of State for Gaeilge, Gaeltacht and the Islands, said he is particularly pleased that the Irish Language Bill will go before the Oireachtas Committees for pre-Legislative scrutiny before Christmas and will be published in the New Year.

The Legislation Programme is as follows:
* Priority Legislation for Publication This Session (28)
* Bills that are expected to undergo Pre-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) This Session (30)
* All Other Legislation (73)
* Bills currently on the Dáil and Seanad Order Paper (24)
* Bills which were enacted since the Government came to office on 6th May 2016 (44)
* Bills which were published since the Government came to office on 6th May 2016 (49)