The Government is to introduce a penalty points system for road traffic offences during the new session of the Dail which begins today. The Bill is one of 18 which the Government Chief Whip, Mr Seamus Brennan, said were expected to be published before the Easter recess.
A further 18 Bills are listed in which Heads of Bill have been approved by the Government and for which texts are being prepared. The Government has yet to approve a further 74 Bills.
One Bill is to allow for the transfer of dormant accounts from financial institutions and matured, but unclaimed, life assurance policies, to the State. Another provides for the audit of party leaders' allowances.
The Agriculture Appeals Office Bill allows for the establishment of an independent appeals mechanism for all FEOGA schemes paying directly to farmers.
The Heritage Fund Bill provides for the establishment of a fund for the acquisition of artefacts and collections for national cultural institutions.
The ACC Bank Bill will increase the authorised share capital for an employee share option programme. The Euro Changeover (Amounts) Bill will provide for the replacement of u pound amounts in law with convenient amounts in euros to operate from January 1st, 2002.
The Ordnance Survey Bill will enable the Ordnance Survey to be established as a semi-State body.
A Criminal Justice Bill is to be introduced "to deal with issues from a recent High Court case on temporary release" of prisoners.
The Courts and Court Officers Bill will deal with qualifications for the appointment of judges of the High and Supreme Courts and other matters.
There is a Human Rights (Incorporation of European Convention) Bill and a Licensing of Indoor Events Bill and a Postal Miscellaneous Provisions Bill to provide an employee share option in An Post.
The Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Bill will establish the Rail Procurement Agency and regulate the physical operations of light rail.
The Twenty First Amendment of the Constitution Bill, which is one of the Bills on which the text is being drafted, will provide for a referendum to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The Bill is expected to be published in the middle of this year. However, Mr Brennan said no date had been decided for the referendum which covers the international jurisdiction of criminal courts.
A Bill to provide for an ombudsman for children is also expected to be published later this year.
The Property Registration Authority of Ireland Bill, will convert the Land Registry and Registry of Deeds into a commercial semi-State body. The Heads of Bill are "urgently" being prepared for the Compensation for Persons Abused in Residential Institutions.
The Motor Tax Bill to increase motor taxation is expected to be published in the middle of this year.
The Oireachtas (Appointment of Inspectors to assist Committees) Bill will enable inspectors to ascertain facts relevant to an inquiry by Oireachtas committees.