WHAT ARE OUR politicians doing in the halls of Leinster House?

TheJournal.ie lets you know with our guide to what’s coming up to the Dáil, Seanad and various Oireachtas committees today.

DÁIL

Leaders’ Questions begins the day at 10:30am, while members agree to the rest of the day’s agenda in Order of Business just before 11am.

Ireland’s politicians will then discuss two bills during today’s session: the Second Stage of the Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 will be discussed first. It deals with the enforcement of taxi regulations and will eventually replace 2003 legislation. Next up is the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2012 which is also at second stage. It will amend the 2011 Act to allow for medium-term expenditure management and expenditure ceilings.

From 3.42 pm, there will be discussion on Topical Issues.

At 4.30pm, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore will take questions. The Dáil will adjourn at 5.45pm.

The day’s Dáil business can all be viewed here.

SEANAD

This morning has the usual Order of Business and chats on bits and pieces from 10.30am. Then at 11.45am, Jim Higgins MEP will address the country’s senators.

The day’s Seanad business can all be viewed here.

COMMITTEES

There will be a total of five committee hearings today. A private meeting of the Committee for Health and Children will be held from 9.30am, ahead of tomorrow’s high-profile abortion legislation proceedings.

Another early meeting for the Public Accounts committee begins at 10am. Members will be joined by Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan as the force’s appropriation accounts for 2011 are reviewed. Callinan’s report on garda salaries and expenses, pensions, witnesses’ expenses and grant-in-aid to the Comptroller and Auditor General will be discussed. The collection of motor tax will also be scrutinised. (Watch here).

The committee which oversees the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement meets in Committee Room 4 at 11.30am. On the agenda today is the Narrow Water Bridge and Women’s Rights in Northern Ireland. Representatives of the Warrenpoint and Dundalk chambers of commerce, as well as Foyle’s Women’s Aid have been invited to speak. (Watch here).

At 2pm, the European Union Affairs Committee meets with representatives from Amnesty International Ireland who will outline their recommendations to the Irish EU Presidency. (Watch here).

Finally, the Environment, Community and Local Government (Sub-Committee) will discuss the Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Bill 2013 from 2.15pm. (Watch here).

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