THE OIREACHTAS LEGISLATIVE PROCESS

BILL

STAGES STAGES

A BILL* CAN BE INITIATED IN

EITHER HOUSE

(*SOME EXCEPTIONS) DÁIL ÉIREANN SEANAD ÉIREANN

GOVERNMENT PUBLISHES ITS PROGRAMME FOR GOVERNMENT. THIS FORMS THE BASIS FOR ITS LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME

1 INITIATION

st NO DEBATE NO DEBATE st

1 TITLE PLACED ON ORDER PAPER Dáil = Green Paper Seanad = Yellow Paper

2 DEBATE HELD SECOND STAGE DEBATE HELD

nd nd on general principles of the on general principles of the

2 Bill MOTION: THAT THE BILL Bill BE NOW READ A 2nd TIME

3 DETAILED EXAMINATION COMMITTEE DETAILED EXAMINATION

By Committee By Committee rd

rd (Amendments may be made) (Amendments may be made)

3 STAGE

4 REVIEW OF CHANGES REVIEW OF CHANGES

th th (Amendments possible but limited to REPORT STAGE (Amendments possible but limited to

4 matters arising from 3rd stage) matters arising from 3rd stage)

5 FINAL STAGE

th th DEBATE HELD DEBATE HELD

5 MOTION: THAT THE BILL DO NOW PASS

BILL PASSED BILL PASSED STAGES STAGES

ONCE A BILL PASSES THE FIRST HOUSE, IT IS SENT TO THE OTHER HOUSE FOR SECOND STAGE CONSIDERATION. IT THEN GOES THROUGH ALL STAGES IN THAT HOUSE. A BILL MUST PASS THROUGH BOTH HOUSES BEFORE BEING SENT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR SIGNATURE

ACT

Designed by: Oireachtas Library & Research Service April 2017 © Houses of the Oireachtas 2017 THE OIREACHTAS LEGISLATIVE PROCESS

THE 5 STAGES EXPLAINED

DÁIL SEANAD

WHAT ARE STANDING 1 INITIATION ORDERS? STAGE Article 15.10 of Bunreacht na Standing Orders provide for two methods of initiating a Bill – (a) presentation and hÉireann (the Constitution) gives (b) introduction. both Dáíl Éíreann and Seanad Éireann the power to make rules for PRESENTATION LEAVE TO INTRODUCE the conduct of business – the Where a Bill is to be presented (by Any Member may seek to introduce a Bill. Standing Orders of the House. The Government, or parliamentary groups The Dáil / Seanad must agree to a Motion Standing Orders are the provided for in Standing Orders), the before the Bill can be published and circulated written rules of procedure Bill is published by the Bills Office and OR to Members. If this Motion is agreed, the that have been decided circulated to Members. House makes an order for Second Stage and and adopted by the the Bill is published by the Bills Office. House itself. The rules

In either case, the text of the Bill must be examined by the Ceann Comhairle / Cathaoirleach cover a broad range of for compliance with Standing Orders who must also approve an outline description of its topics, from the purpose (known as the long title). If the Bill complies with Standing Orders, its short and long declaration which must be made on titles are then placed on the Order Paper. election by the Ceann Comhairle, to

Exceptions: All Bills may be initiated in either House except (a) Money Bills (Dáíl only); the deadlines for the submission of (b) Bills to amend the Constitution (Dáíl only); and (c) Private Bills (Seanad only). motions for the Order Paper.

DÁIL SEANAD WHAT IS THE ORDER 2 SECOND STAGE PAPER? STAGE The Order Paper is a Debate at Second Stage is on a motion, “That the Bill be now read a second time” (the motion single document which for second reading) and relates to the content of the Bill. Limited amendments are possible but contains details of all the only to either delay the motion or to state a special a reason against the second reading. items of business which The proposing Member (usually a Minister) speaks on the motion, followed by the main are before each House spokespersons of each of the political parties / groups, and finally all other Members. In the (items such as Bills and case of Private Members Bills (PMBs) the role is reversed. Motions). On the first sitting day each week, the DÁIL SEANAD

Order Paper contains all business before the 3 COMMITTEE STAGE House. On subsequent

STAGE days a shortened version All sections of the Bill are examined by a Committee. Opposition and Government Members is produced, containing only (TDs/Senators) use this opportunity to discuss possible amendments and the reasons why business scheduled for that day and changes to the Bill are necessary. The Minister indicates which amendments may be supported notice of new business. / opposed and clarifies the Bill’s provisions.

In the Dáil, a Select Committee is the norm but a Committee of the whole House is also possible, as are Special Committees. Committee / 3rd Stage in the Seanad generally takes WHAT IS A MONEY place in Committee of the whole Seanad but may be considered in a Special Committee. BILL?

A Money Bill refers to financial

DÁIL SEANAD legislation (changes to taxation, or REPORT STAGE public expenditure). 4 STAGE Under Article 20.1 of the Constitution, The outcome of Committee Stage (3rd Stage) is reported back to the House for consideration. Seanad Éireann can not initiate Amendments may be made but scope for amendments is limited to matters arising out of Money Bills but can make Committee Stage (3rd Stage). recommendations (not amendments) to such Bills. DÁIL SEANAD WHAT IS A PRIVATE 5 FINAL STAGE BILL?

STAGE A Private Bill is a piece of legislation A final debate and vote on the Bill is held. The Bill is revised to take account of agreed which is promoted by local amendments and the debate takes place on a motion "That the Bill do now pass". The Bill is nd authorities, private organisations or then sent to the other House and is re-entered at 2 Stage. If a Bill is amended in the other individuals. These are rare. House, it must be returned to the first House for those amendments to be considered. Once a Seanad Bill has been amended by the Dáil, it becomes a Dáil Bill.

Designed by: Oireachtas Library & Research Service April 2017 © Houses of the Oireachtas 2017