The four main issues facing TDs on their return to the Dáil
The riots in Dublin before Christmas demonstrated the rising popularity and power of the far-right to mobilise. File picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
TDs return to the Dáil on Wednesday for what is expected to be a volatile year of local and European elections, referenda, and even a potential change of Government.
With protests being threatened over telegram and other online channels, politicians could face a challenge just getting to the gates of Leinster House, although a heavy garda presence is expected to prevent nasty scenes witnessed outside the Dáil last year.
The riots in Dublin before Christmas demonstrated the rising popularity and power of the far-right to mobilise.
In recent weeks, a number of incidents, including an arson attack on a Co Galway hotel earmarked to accommodate those seeking international protection as well as the protests in Roscrea, Co Tipperary, in recent days, have put politicians further on edge.
The coalition has admitted that the State cannot continue to rely on the private sector to solve the accommodation needs to people fleeing the war in Ukraine and those seeking international protection.
However, there is no immediate remedy to what has become a secondary accommodation crisis given the large numbers of people arriving in Ireland each week.
Two referenda to address what has been described as archaic and sexist language in our Constitution have been slated for International Women's Day in March.
However, there is a concern that the upcoming votes to remove a reference to women in the home could be exploited and turned into a gender war by some.
An alternative view is the ballots, which also aim to address the explicit constitutional link to family and marriage, will be a damp squib, with some anticipating minimal public interaction and a low turn-out on the day.
An autumn general election has been widely tipped for a long time now and politicians are in canvassing mode. Even if the coalition holds and makes it as far as early 2025, ministers are running out of time to get legislation across the line and to deliver on pre-election promises.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee has been pushing hard to get new hate crime laws passed, however, the legislation has been stalled in the Seanad and is likely to be interrogated further by members of the upper house, which may delay it further.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly also has a list of legislation that he wants to progress including a long-awaited new law that will introduce an opt-out system for organ donation. Also on his agenda is the roll-out of safe access zones around medical facilities providing abortions.
In the area of housing, what can only be described as a super bill around all aspects of planning will be the subject of scrutiny.
No Dáil term would be complete without the Government of the day getting a hammering on housing and the coming months will be no different.
Sinn Féin has made the issue of housing and Minister Darragh O'Brien its number one target.
Hitting back, the Taoiseach has criticised Mary Lou McDonald's aim to bring down house prices in Dublin to around €300,000, claiming it would make banks think twice about issuing mortgages and push many homeowners into negative equity,
Expect fiery Dáil exchanges between the two party leaders on the housing question this term.
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