Justice Committee waives procedures to allow speedy passage of emergency legislation

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy James Lawless said: “I recommended to the Committee that we waive our usual procedures on this particular bill given the necessity to bring it forward with the degree of urgency to support outdoor hospitality, and address to the legal lacuna.

It will allow businesses and patrons alike to be confident in the fact that there will are no legal concerns and allow businesses to reopen.

To facilitate the speedy passage of the legislation, the Committee is happy, on this occasion, to support any application to the Business Committee for a waiver from the requirement to undertake Pre-Legislative scrutiny and look forward to engaging with the Minister as the Bill progresses through both Houses.”

Pre-legislative scrutiny is when the general scheme, or draft heads, of a Government Bill undergoes scrutiny by an Oireachtas Committee before the text of the Bill is finalised. Both Government Bills and Private Members' Bills may undergo scrutiny by the relevant Oireachtas Committee.

The Business Committee may waive this requirement in certain circumstances. And in these cases, the sponsoring Minister may ask the Business Committee to waive the need for scrutiny. The Business Committee in turn asks the Committee to agree to the request.