Dáil rise: Politicians prepare for Christmas break

Good morning.

After more than 100 sitting days, the Dáil rises today for the Christmas break and will not return until mid-January.

The big ticket items on the agenda for the last session of 2019 seem somewhat fitting given the year that has been: Brexit, climate issues and insurance. Most TDs (read: absolutely all of them) will be breathing a sigh of relief as they hot-foot it out of Leinster House later today.

A positively kaleidoscopic array of woes have beset governing party Fine Gael throughout the political year including the controversy around the escalating costs at the children’s hospital, Maria Bailey’s now-withdrawn swing-fall case, an ongoing row over Dara Murphy’s Dáil attendance and expenses, and the twin crises of health and housing.

Stormont deal should include date for minimum alcohol pricing - Varadkar

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Taoiseach held talks with Dara Murphy over ethics inquiry

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North’s political heavyweights have been sent a firm message on Stormont

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Dara Murphy expense claims may be investigated independently

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There was also that very public criticism from the data protection commissioner over the roll-out of the public services card. That particular saga is far from over.

The bright spots have been the Government’s adept (so far) handling of Brexit, which has dominated the political sphere; the successful introduction of abortion care for women; and moving the economy towards full employment.

It has been a bruising year for other parties, too. Fianna Fáil became embroiled in what has become known as “votegate” where senior party TDs were found to have voted for their colleagues.

Elsewhere, Sinn Féin suffered serious electoral setbacks, and the smaller parties to the left and right struggled to make inroads.

Arguably the biggest political winner has been the concept of “confidence and supply” itself because it kept the Government afloat in rocky Brexit waters despite motions of no confidence in Minister for Health Simon Harris and Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy.

This year we have also witnessed a US presidential visit as well as local elections, European elections and byelections that propelled political newbies such as Saoirse McHugh, Maria Walsh and Verona Murphy into the spotlight. Some were successful in their endeavours, others demonstrably less so.

While the weary world may rejoice over the four-week hiatus, the return of the Dáil next month will kick-start what is sure to be another tumultuous year.

We will be looking a general election square in the face, probably sooner rather than later. The UK will finally be poised to leave the EU. The funding of the health sector will come into even sharper focus. The assembly at Stormont is likely to return after three years.

There will be pressure to reform insurance payouts, accommodate more asylum seekers and address climate change – including through an increase in carbon tax.

It is a given that one of the most pressing issues will be around housing. With homeless figures increasing, the pressure will be on to increase supply and prove the Rebuilding Ireland plan is up to the job, as the Government contends.

A report released today and covered on our front page reveals rents rose by more than 8 per cent nationally in the third quarter compared to the same period a year ago. Charlie Taylor reports, however, there is evidence of stabilisation in both Dublin and Cork.

But with the figures showing the average rent in Dublin has increased by €110 or 6.6 per cent year-on-year to €1,762, above the rent pressure zone cap of 4 per cent, further questions are likely to be asked today, let alone next year.

But before we get ahead of ourselves, official business has not wound up quite yet. The Cabinet will tomorrow meet for the second time this week. Minister for Health Simon Harris is expected to bring a memo on public funding for IVF and fertility treatment, although Ministers are being tight-lipped about their plans.

As always, keep an eye on irishtimes.com for all the latest developments.

Feliz Navidad!

On a more buoyant and festive note, a sincere thank you to all of the readers of our humble political digest. While we love the early mornings, it would be unfair to bombard you with our mulled-wine musings over the break, and so the digest will return when the Dáil does on the 15th of January.

Have a very merry Christmas and best wishes for 2020.

Best Reads

Miriam Lord on how Leo Varadkar's nonchalance-and-supply agreement with Dara Murphy is "in bits".

There are still large gaps in the data around motor claims and insurance, writes Ciarán Hancock.

Here's the latest on the FAI from Jack Horgan-Jones and Marie O'Halloran.

The Government has allocated an additional €50 million to provide the health service with its largest budget next year, write Martin Wall and Fiach Kelly.

Fine Gael is this evening expected to remove Verona Murphy from the party's election ticket, writes Fiach Kelly.

Playbook

Dáil

Government Business starts at 9:30 with the Official Languages Bill 2019.

At 10.30, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney will take parliamentary questions.

The last Leaders’ Questions of the season is up at noon.

There are questions on promised legislation at 12.32.

Taoiseach’s Questions are up just after lunch.

There will be statements on last week’s European Council meeting at 13.47.

Topical Issues are at 16.32.

A motion on air pollution, and smoky coal, from the Labour Party is at 17.20.

Pearse Doherty’s Consumer Insurance Contracts Bill 2017 is scheduled for 17.20.

Government Business will be taken shortly after 20.00 with statements on climate action and low-carbon development

And then that’s it because at 22.15 the Dáil adjourns.

Seanad

Commencement matters are up at 10.30 followed by the Order of Business an hour later.

A few Bills are up between 12.45 and 14.45 including the Health Insurance Amendment Bill 2019; the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) Amendment Bill 2019; and the Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019. The Migration of Participating Securities Bill 2019 will also be debated.

Committees

At 9.00, the Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport will discuss governance at, and funding to, the Football Association of Ireland with Minister for Transport Shane Ross.

At the same time, the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality will discuss access to justice and legal costs with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the State Claims Agency, as well as Insurance Ireland and the Legal Service Regulatory Authority.

At 10.00, the Joint Committee on Health meets with the RCOG Independent Expert Panel to discuss its review into the cervical screening programme.

At 14.00 the Joint Committee on Climate Action will hear from Kieran Mulvey on the climate “just transition”.