The Government Chief Whip, Minister Paul Kehoe T.D., today announced the initial Legislative Programme for 2014. This is the first Legislative Programme under new structures for the development of legislation announced by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste as part of the Government’s latest phase of Dáil Reform.
Speaking following the announcement Minister Kehoe said:
“The Dáil Reform package announced in September included a new structure for legislative development. This includes opening up the law making process to more public involvement, longer Dáil sitting days and a new system of Legislative Programmes.”
“Since early November the Dáil sittings have started at 9.30am rather than 10.30am, the number of Bills being considered by Oireachtas Committees before publication continues to increase and the Cabinet has approved the first Legislative Programme under the new structures.”
“Two Legislative Programmes will now be published each year rather than one each term as in the past. This development helps modernise our system of law making and, along with other reforms being phased in, will improve the process of drafting and debating Bills and reduce the use of the guillotine.”
“The Legislative Programme approved by Cabinet contains proposals to publish 42 Bills and maintains the Government’s focus on job creation, economic recovery and fulfilling Programme for Government commitments.”
“Job creation and economic recovery has been central to our Government agenda and the new Legislative Programme confirms this priority. The area of Jobs will see the publication of Bills on Workplace Relations, Industrial Relations, Employment Permits and Consumer Protection and Competition. The Minister for Finance will publish Bills to reform the Customs framework, develop an Irish Collective Asset Management system and support the National Treasury Management Agency.”
“We will also continue to make progress on Programme for Government commitments and long over due reforms in other areas. The Legislative Programme includes proposed legislation on providing GP care to children aged 5 and under, a new structure for our Health Service, the introduction of standardised packaging for tobacco, regulating lobbying, improving Schools Admissions, developing the Teaching Council, regulating Social Housing, reforming legislation in a number of areas concerning children and establishing a new Court of Appeal.”
Access the Sprimg/Summer Legislative Programme
here.