Each Private Member's Bill for introduction is initially assessed by the Bills Office for compliance with Standing Orders and a final decision is made by the Chair of the House in which the Bill is to be introduced.
Once a decision is made that a Private Member's Bill is admissible for introduction, the Bills Office will work with the Member to approve a proof for publication, place the Title on the Order Paper and arrange time for the Member to seek leave to introduce the Bill.
The Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers provides a comprehensive service to assist Members with Private Members' Bills, including confidential legal advice, legal policy analysis and legislative drafting services. The process involves Members working closely with a legal adviser and a drafter from the office to formulate the proposal and ensure that any draft Bill accurately reflects the policy intention. Members are not obliged to use the drafting service and may draft their own Bills.
Initiation of Bills
In general, Private Members’ Bills follow the same Stages as Government Bills in their passage through the Seanad. However, Standing Orders make certain special provisions for their initiation and consideration. Private Members’ Bills are considered during Private Members’ time.
A Bill is initiated on First Stage. A Bill that has been initiated in and passed by the Dáil is considered to have passed First Stage in the Seanad.
There are two methods of initiating a Bill in the Seanad, presentation for Government Bills and introduction for Private Members' Bills. In either case, the text of the Bill must be delivered to the Clerk and examined by the Cathaoirleach for compliance with Standing Orders. The Short Title of the Bill and a description of its purpose, known as the Long Title, must be accepted by the Cathaoirleach. If the Bill is considered to comply with Standing Orders, its short and long titles are then placed on the Order Paper.
Introduction
A Private Member's Bill to be initiated by introduction must be authorised by the signatures of at least three Senators. The Seanad must agree to a motion for leave to introduce the Bill, moved by the Member concerned immediately after the Order of Business with the agreement of the House, before the Bill can be published and circulated to Members. If the motion is agreed, the House makes an order for Second Stage.
If the motion is opposed, the Cathaoirleach permits an explanatory statement from the Senator who moves and a Senator who opposes the motion before the House decides on it.
Contact an expert
Last Updated: Tue, 17 Dec 2024