As there are increasing signs that a general election will be conducted before Christmas, the Dáil has enacted two significant pieces of legislation, reports RTE.
One of the important pieces of legislation that had to be approved before an election was called was the Gambling Regulation Bill, which was eventually passed.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority, which will supervise betting licenses and regulation, is established under the legislation.
In order to increase awareness of compulsive and excessive gambling, it forbids gambling advertising between 5:30 am and 9:00 pm and creates a social impact fund, reports RTE.
The Social Welfare Bill, which would implement the proposed welfare increases announced on Budget Day, was previously passed by the Dáil.
It indicates that, with the exception of the Finance Bill, the majority of the government’s legislative work has been finished.
If all the necessary legislation was enacted, it would be realistic to anticipate that an election would be held before Christmas, Tánaiste Micheál Martin told The Irish Times podcast, reports RTE.
It comes amid growing rumours that, should the Finance Bill pass earlier than expected, the Dáil would be dissolved early next month.
Following this, an election might be held on Friday, November 29, or Friday, December 6.
After considering arguments for and against it, the Seanad passed the Hate Crimes Bill, reports RTE.
It now returns to the Dáil for more deliberation.
The Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill is the new name for the revised law, which was renamed after Justice Minister Helen McEntee eliminated contentious parts pertaining to hate speech.
She said that there had been broad agreement against inciting hate or violence, but that agreement had since vanished, reports RTE.
According to Ms. McEntee, legislation is required in order to officially acknowledge hate-motivated criminal activity.
Recalling senators’ remarks that the law would pass “in a heartbeat” if encouragement to violence was eliminated, she expressed her excitement for it to occur, reports RTE.
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