Stages of a Bill

A Bill can start its life in either of the Houses of the Oireachtas, with the exception of Bills that deal solely with taxation or expenditure, which are called money Bills, and Bills to amend the Constitution. Both of these types of Bill must be introduced in the Dáil.

Irrespective of the House in which it originated, a Bill will need to complete nine procedural stages, five in the first House and four in the second House, before it can be sent to the President for signature and promulgation as an Act. 

First Stage

On First Stage the Bill is initiated. 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.

Presentation

Where a Government Bill is to be presented, the Bill is published by the Bills Office and circulated to Members. Presentation of a Bill does not require the prior leave of the House. However, only the Leader of the House, another Senator authorised by the Government or a Senator nominated by a recognised group may present a Bill.

A maximum of three Bills presented by any recognised group may be before the Seanad at any time.

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.

Second Stage 

On Second Stage, the general principles of the Bill are debated on the motion "That the Bill be now read a Second Time". It provides Members with an opportunity to discuss the general principles of the Bill, what the Bill contains and what might be included in a relevant way.

Third (Committee) Stage

Third Stage, which is also called Committee Stage, involves detailed consideration of the Bill, with separate decisions on each section and each amendment.

Committee Stage is usually taken in a select committee of the Dáil and a committee of the whole Seanad. Some Bills, generally urgent Bills or those affecting a number of Departments, may be examined in a committee of the whole Dáil.

Fourth (Report) Stage

On Fourth Stage, which is also called Report Stage, amendments arising out of or dealing with issues discussed on Committee Stage are considered.

Non-Government amendments on Report Stage in the Seanad require both a proposer and a seconder.

Fifth (Final) Stage

On Fifth Stage, the Bill is passed by the House. It is a relatively short Stage when the House reviews and accepts the Bill, and there is usually little general contribution. Senators may speak only once on the motion "That the Bill do now pass". Standing Order 163 provides that only verbal amendments may be made to a Bill on Fifth Stage in the Seanad.

When the Bill passes all Stages in one House it is then sent to the other House for the same process to be repeated. The House in which a Bill is initiated is known as the "First House", with the other House being known as the "Second House". Where the Second House makes amendments to a Bill, the amendments are returned to the First House for its agreement.