Spring Legislative Programme – EHS

On 16th January 2024, the Government’s Chief Whip, Minister Naughton published the 2024 Spring Legislative Programme, which contains 46 priority bills for publication and drafting in the Spring Dáil session.
EHS related Bills include:

Legislation for Priority Drafting Spring Session 2024

Environment Protection Agency and Waste Management (Amendment) Bill

Purpose of Bill: The purpose of the Bill is to enable the EPA to be more efficient and effective in its determinations by providing a stream-lined approach for decision making and shortening the period for final determinations of industrial emission and waste licences of the Agency. The Bill will also include some further minor miscellaneous provisions under the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022.

Status of Bill: Heads in preparation.

Gas Safety (Amendment) Bill

Purpose of Bill: The legislation is for a number of specific amendments to the existing Electricity Regulation Act 1999, focused on ensuring that third party operators of Liquid Petroleum Gas networks are fully incorporated into the CRU’s regulatory regime.

Status of Bill: Heads of Bill approved in November 2023.

Railway Safety (Amendment Bill)

Purpose of Bill: To amend the statutory limits for concentration of alcohol in blood, urine and breath for a railway safety critical worker and to update procedures for sampling and testing of workers for intoxicants (alcohol, drugs) and associated procedures under the Railway Safety Act 2005.In addition, there are proposals for some updates to other provisions in the Act including some relating to functions of the Commission for Railway Regulation and an amendment of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009.

Status of Bill: Work is ongoing.

There are other EHS related Bills that are not on the priority lists but have Heads in Preparation or work underway.

Industrial Development (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill
Vehicle Roadworthiness Bill