Legislative Newsletter September/October 2019
Irish Legislation September:
18th September: Investment Limited Partnerships (Amendment) Bill 2019
Government Bill, Minister Paschal Donoghue, Finance
Committee stage before Dáil select committee (stage 3)
Act provide for Investment Limited Partnerships which are a transparent entity that allows for those in external jurisdiction to invest in Ireland without being subject to double taxation.
19th September: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2019
Government Bill, Minister Katherine Zappone, DCYA
Committee stage before the Dáil select committee (stage 3)
Act to amend and extend the law in relation to guardian’s ad litem appointed under the Child Care Act 1991
24th September: Planning and Development (Ministerial Power Repeal) Bill 2019
Private Member’s Bill introduced by Eoin Ó Broin TD
Bill seeks to annul Ministerial powers and planning permission height guidelines.
24th September: Finance (Tax Appeals and Prospectus Regulation) Bill 2019
Government Bill, Minister Paschal Donohue, Finance Report stage before Dáil Éireann (stage 4)
Alters the governance structures of the Tax Appeals Commission
24th September: Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Bill 2019
Government Bill, Minister Eoghan Murphy, Housing
Committee stage before the Dáil select committee (stage 3) Allows for the regulation of Approved Housing Bodies
25th September: Road Traffic (Amendment) (Use of Electric Scooters) Bill 2019
Private Member’s Bill introduced by Marc MacSharry
Creates a legal definition of an electric scooter, limits the maximum
speed, requires the use of a helmet, and creates certain offences
Irish Legislation October:
8th October:
Budget 2020 Statement
Government, Minister Paschal Donoghue, Finance
15th October: Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019
Government Bill, Minister David Staunton Justice
This bill has been enacted and signed into law by the president.
This act introduces a paid “Parent’s benefit” that allows new parents to take an addition two weeks leave, on top of current parental leave requirements.
16th October: Road Traffic (Amendment) (Use of Electric Scooters) Bill 2019
Private Member’s Bill introduced by Marc MacSharry Remains at 2nd Stage before Dáil Éireann
Creates a legal definition of an electric scooter, limits the maximum speed, requires the use of a helmet, and creates certain offences
16th October: Social Welfare Bill 2019
Private Member’s Bill introduced by Marc MacSharry
This bill has been enacted and signed into law by the president.
This Act created a jobseekers unemployment benefit for the self-employed
23rd October: Finance Bill 2019
Government Bill, Minister Paschal Donohue, Finance Second stage before Dáil Éireann
Amends tax codes in line with the Minister’s Budget 2020 statement
24th September: Industrial Development (Amendment) Bill 2019
Government Bill, Minister Pat Breen, DEBI
This bill has been enacted and signed into law by the president.
Increases the funding caps that pertain to Enterprise Ireland, Science
Foundation Ireland, and the IDA.
EU Legislation September/October:
10th September : Commission President-elect von der Leyen presented her proposed European Commissioners 2019-2024
Scrutiny of the commissioners-designate by Parliamentary committees began A vote on the entire Commission has yet to be held
Current Commissioners-Designate:
Austria: Johannes Hahn (EPP) – Budget and Administration
Belgium: Didier Reynders (Renewed) – Justice
Bulgaria: Mariya Gabriel (EPP) – Innovation and Youth
Croatia: Dubravka Šuica (EPP) – Vice Pres Democracy and Demography
Cyprus: Stella Kyriakides (EPP) – Health
Czech Republic Věra Jourová (Renew Europe) – Values and Transparency Denmark: Margrethe Vestager (Renew Europe) – Europe Fit for Digital Age Estonia: Kadri Simson (Renew Europe) – Energy
Finland: Jutta Urpilainen (S&D) – International Partnerships
France: To Be Determined – To Be Determined
Greece: Margaritis Schinas (EPP) – Protecting European Way of Life
Hungary: Oliviér Várhelyi – To Be Determined
Ireland: Phil Hogan (EPP) – Trade
Italy: Paolo Gentiloni (S&D) – Economy
Latvia: Valdis Dombrovskis (EPP) – An Economy that Works for People
Lithuania: Virginijus Sinkevičius (Greens) – Environment and Oceans
Luxembourg: Nicolas Schmit (S&D) – Jobs
Malta: Helena Dalli (S&D) – Equality
Netherlands: Frans Timmermans (S&D) – European Green Deal
Poland: Janusz Wojciechowski (ECR) – Agriculture
Portugal: Elisa Ferreira (S&D) – Cohesion and Reforms
Romania: Dan Nica (S&D) – To Be Determined
Slovakia: Maroš Šefčovič (S&D) – Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight
Slovenia: Janez Lenarčič (Renewed) – Crisis Management
Sweden: Ylva Johansson (S&D) – Home Affairs
Spain: Josep Borrell Fontelles (S&D) – A Stronger Europe in the World