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Irish Legislative Process

The Oireachtas (Parliament), which consists of a President and two Houses of the Oireachtas (Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann), is responsible for creating new legislation in Ireland.

1. First Stage: Permission is sought either by a Minister or Minister of State in either House (Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann) to introduce the Bill. If granted, the Bill is printed and circulated to members. An Order is made by the Dáil for its second reading.
2. Second Stage: This is a debate where the general principles of the Bill are considered. This may result in amendments or improvements. When these are agreed an Order is made for the Bill to be considered in committee (third) stage.
3. Third (Committee) Stage: The Bill is considered in great detail. Depending on the technical nature of this Bill this could be either in:

            a. Committee of the whole House or

            b. Select Committee or

            c. Special Committee.

1. Fourth (Report) Stage: consists of a review of changes made at Third Stage. Consideration is limited to amendments tabled which arise from proceedings at Third Stage.
2. Fifth (Final) Stage: The Bill is finally considered before it is passed. A Bill amended by the Seanad is sent back to the Dáil for its agreement. Finally when the Bill is passed by both Houses, it goes to the President for her/his signature and is declared law.
3. Enactment: A Bill becomes law on the day it is signed by the President and, unless the contrary intention appears, comes into operation on that day. A Bill may, for example, contain provision for its commencement (in whole or in part) by way of Ministerial order.

Statutory Instruments

Acts give powers to Ministers of Governments to make secondary laws known as Statutory Instruments. Statutory Instruments (S.I.) can be written in the form of Regulations or Orders and detail specific rules and give enforcement powers to a particular authority e.g. the Health Act, 1947 Part V gives power to the Minister for Health and Children to make Regulations on Food and Drink. Subsequently, the Food Hygiene Regulations, 1950 (S.I. No. 205 of 1950) were introduced to protect the health of consumers consuming food and drink.

Last reviewed: 5/8/2009