Overview of legislative process

Any Member of the Dáil or Seanad may introduce a Bill, with some exceptions. Once a Bill is signed into law by the President, it becomes an Act and is added to the Statute Book.

Types of Bills

Any Member of the Dáil or Seanad may introduce a Bill. The exceptions are Bills that deal solely with taxation or expenditure, known as money Bills, and Bills to amend the Constitution, both of which must be initiated in the Dáil, and Private Bills which must be initiated in the Seanad.

Private Bills should not be confused with Private Members’ Bills. Private Bills are promoted for the particular interest or benefit of any chartered corporation or person as distinguished from a measure of public policy and must be initiated in the Seanad.

Government Bills are approved by the Cabinet before being presented to the Dáil or Seanad. Non-Government Members, which comprise Opposition Members or backbenchers in Government parties, may also bring forward their own Bills, known as Private Members' Bills.

The Bills Office manages publication, amendments and reprints of all Bills passing through the Houses of the Oireachtas and is responsible for the publication of Acts after signature by the President. The Bills Office also assists non-Government Members in preparing Private Members' Bills and amendments for publication.