WHAT’S GOING ON in Leinster House?

Every day the Dáil and Seanad are sitting, TheJournal.ie brings you the most comprehensive guide to what our lawmakers are getting up to in the Houses of the Oireachtas.

So, here is what we can expect to be happening in the Dáil, Seanad and Committee rooms today…

3 things we’ll be keeping an eye on

• Dáil: Leaders’ Questions – The burning issues of the day are likely to be raised with Taoiseach Enda Kenny when opposition leaders quiz him at 3.15pm.
• Dáil: Lending – A Fianna Fáil private members’ motion on access to credit will ensure the thorny issue of the banks and their lending practices are discussed at length by TDs at 7.30pm.
• Committees: FOI – The Freedom of Information Bill reaches committee stage at 4.15pm in Committee Room 1 and with lots of criticism of it over the weekend this one will be closely watched by media and transparency activisits.

Everything else that’s happening in the Dáil

• Children’s Minister Frances Fitzgerald takes questions on her portfolio at 2pm.
• After Leaders’ Questions, the Taoiseach takes questions on his own portfolio from around 3.36pm.
• After that it’s the Order of Business. Then TDs discuss Topical Issues.
• Discussion of the second stage of the Finance Bill – which gives effect to Budget 2014 tax measures – continues and is due to conclude at 7.30pm when a final vote is held.
• If there’s time the Local Government Bill – which overhauls local authorities in Ireland – will be discussed as well.
• After Fianna Fáil’s private members’ motion the Dáil adjourns at 9pm.

Everything else that’s happening in the Seanad

• Senators begin their week by discussing everything and anything during the Order of Business at 2.30pm.
• Senators discuss on Science Week with Minister of State Sean Sherlock at 3.45pm.
• After that, it’s Matters on the Adjournment.

Everything else that’s happening in the Committees

• The Environment Committee is taking submissions from various bodies on the Maritime Area and Foreshore Amendment Bill at 12.45pm in Committee Room 4. This complex piece of law aims to align the foreshore consent system with the planning system and devolve more powers to local authorities.
• The Jobs Committee discusses the progress made with Microfinance Ireland – a scheme set up to help small businesses access credit – with representatives from the scheme at 1.30pm in Committee Room 2.
• The EU Affairs Committee hears from Barbara Nolan from the European Commission in Ireland on its work programme for 2014 at 2pm in Committee Room 1.

Here’s how to watch what’s going on in Leinster House today

• Dáil Éireann
• Seanad Éireann
• Committee Room 1
• Committee Room 2
• Committee Room 3
• Committee Room 4
• To access streams on iOS, click here

Like politics? Then why not ‘Like’ TheJournal.ie’s Politics page?

Explainer: How does a Bill become a law?