Research and analysis

Bill Digest: Maternity Protection Bill 2024
The Digest outlines legislative proposals related to the postponement of maternity leave for up to 52 weeks where an employee has been diagnosed with a serious physical or mental condition and the provision of 26 weeks maternity leave for a member of the Houses of the Oireachtas. [Keywords: People and communities, Social protection]

Spotlight: Artificial Intelligence: Background and overview of the current regulatory landscape in Ireland and the EU
The Spotlight provides a broad overview of AI, including some of the potential benefits and risks of incorporating this technology into our lives. It also outlines the policy and regulatory approaches to AI in Ireland and in the European Union, concluding with an examination of the background and development of the first international regulation governing AI: the EU AI Act. [Keywords: Technology and research, Business and industry, International and EU affairs]

Bill Digest: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2024
The Bill proposes to extend the franchise for electing the six university members of Seanad Éireann to include the graduates of designated institutions of higher education through the creation of a ‘Higher Education constituency’ of six seats to replace the current University of Dublin (TCD) and National University of Ireland (NUI) constituencies of three seats. The Bill also provides for the organisation of elections to the new constituency, including the nomination of candidates and a replacement candidates list to fill casual vacancies arising in the constituency, the registration of electors and the appointment of a returning officer. [Keywords: Parliament and Government, Elections, Seanad Éireann]