Meeting may be last for Cabinet

A raft of legislation and last-minute decisions by the outgoing coalition will come before the Cabinet today, in what may be their final meeting if an election is called early in the new year.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny and ministers will discuss issues including Ireland’s pitch to host the rugby world cup, the new policing authority, and spending on health services next year.

Key pieces of legislation, including new bankruptcy laws, are also expected to be rushed through the Dáil this week and next before TDs break for their three-week Christmas holiday.

Health Minister Leo Varadkar yesterday said that the HSE financial plan, going to Cabinet today, would not result in service cuts. This is despite new EU rules next year which restrict any future supplementary budgets.

He said that maternity and ambulance services would improve under the 2016 HSE service plan, which will be published this week.

A budget of €13bn has been allocated for 12 months, but the plan also warns of challenges ahead for services.

Elsewhere, the Cabinet will get an update on Ireland’s bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

A number of draft bills will also be brought before the Cabinet. These include proposals for an independent planning regulator to oversee local authority plans, compliance with rules, actions by An Bord Pleanála, and to probe any acts of corruption.

New proposals to further regulate the ethics obligations of politicians will also be discussed, under the Public Sector Standards Bill. This proposes a new public sector standards commissioner, stricter guidelines on declarations by politicians, and tougher sanctions for breaches. Both bills are unlikely to be enacted before the general election.

The policing authority, which goes live in January, will also be discussed.