How is a proposal for government put forward to the irish government?
Proposals for Irish legislation usually start out as Bills from either the Dáil (the House of Representatives) or the Seanad (the Senate). The sole and exclusive power of making laws for the State is vested in the Oireachtas (Parliament). The Oireachtas consists of the President and two Houses, Dáil Éireann (the House of Representatives) and Seanad Éireann (the Senate). First the government consults with Government departments and groups who are likely to be affected by the proposed Bill and sometimes a discussion document called a Green Paper will be published. Individuals and relevant organisations can comment and make their views known on the ideas set out in the Green Paper. The Second stage of a Bill consists of a general debate on the principles of the Bill. In the third (Committee) Stage, a Bill is examined section by section. The fourth (Report) Stage further amendments, which arise out of the Third Stage, can be made to the Bill. Fifth Stage the debate is confined to the conte
