merrion street

The Government Chief Whip, Minister Paul Kehoe T.D., today announced the Government’s Legislative Programme for the Autumn 2012 Parliamentary session.

Speaking following the Cabinet’s approval of the Legislative Programme Minister Kehoe said:

"The business of the Oireachtas over the next few months will see progress made on a number of Programme for Government commitments but the main focus will be in the areas of Finance, Jobs and Children."

"Minister Frances FitzGerald will bring the legislation required to hold the Children’s Referendum before the Oireachtas in the next number weeks. If passed further legislation will be introduced in a number of areas to improve the legal standing of children."

"Job Creation and Economic Recovery are at the very heart of the Government’s priorities and the Autumn Legislative Programme confirms that legislation will be published in this area including the Credit Reporting Bill, Credit Union Bill, Consumer & Competition Bill and the Companies Bill."

"As part of this Legislative Programme the Government plans to publish 31 Bills before the end of 2012. Ministers in a number of Departments will publish progressive legislation in areas such as mineral development, the forestry sector, the Education & Training Sector, publically funded GP care, risk equalisation in Health Insurance, Forensic Evidence & a DNA database, an amnesty for members of the Defence Forces who fought for the Allied side in World War 2 and extending the category of those who can solemnise marriage.

"Progress will also be made on a number of Bills that have already been published and are currently before the Oireachtas including the Personal Insolvency Bill, HSE (Governance) Bill, Fiscal Responsibility Bill, Construction Contracts Bill, Central Bank (Supervision & Enforcement) Bill and the Legal Services Regulation Bill. Each of these reforming Bills will have a major impact in their own area once passed into law.