Welcome to the Houses of the Oireachtas

Legislative Observatory 1992 - 2016

Detailed information is available online including the full text of all bills as initiated (including explanatory memoranda), as amended, and as passed by each or both houses; amendments tabled; Acts of the Oireachtas and official translations; and  links to debates on bills.

New Bills

• Companies (Accounting) Bill 2016 (Number 79 of 2016)
• Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016 [Seanad] [PMB] (Number 78 of 2016)
• Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016 (Number 77 of 2016)
• Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016 Bill 2016 [PMB] (Number 76 of 2016)
• Criminal Justice (Aggravation by Prejudice) Bill 2016 [PMB](Number 75 of 2016)

Latest Publications

Research Matters

Election Results infographic
This Infographic outlines key statistics from results of General Election 2016. It is in both English and Irish.

2016 General Election map booklet
The Oireachtas Library & Research Service has produced a short booklet for Oireachtas members that displays the results of the 2016 General election through maps. To download the booklet or individual maps please click here

The Irish language – a linguistic crisis? (English version)
Published September 2016
(Irish language version of this note under preparation - to be published shortly)
This Note has been drafted in the context of the Programme for a Partnership Government and the recent establishment of a Joint Oireachtas Committee focussing on the Irish language. It examines the situation of the Irish language from a national perspective and outlines the special situation of the Gaeltacht and the socio-linguistic crisis unfolding there

International human rights law: operation and impact
No. 2 of 2016 (Published 9 June 2016)
This Spotlight provides an overview of the operation of international human rights law. It seeks to highlight how international human rights law impacts upon Irish law as well as the work of parliament.

Economic Indicator August 2016

See all Research publications

Public Petitions

The Oireachtas Public Petitions System presents an important new avenue for individuals to participate in the democratic process. Through submitting petitions online and by post, members of the public will be able to take their policy concerns directly to the heart of the Oireachtas.

• Get involved and make a petition
• Log of submitted petitions