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