This Saturday, Leo Varadkar will become Taoiseach. Talks to finalise the Cabinet reshuffle are not expected to conclude until Friday night or Saturday morning.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin is facing calls from Fianna Fáil backbenchers to create a post of deputy leader in the party if he plans to take on to the role of Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Cabinet reshuffle.
The Government have agreed on plans to overhaul the planning system with new laws set to go before the Dáil in early 2023.
The Taoiseach has also called for stricter regulations on social media regarding privacy.
The Cabinet has approved measures which would see a 30% tax imposed on developers who make substantial profits due to land being rezoned.
The Government has approved four members of the first independent Electoral Commission. Included in the appointments is the former Fianna Fáil minister John Curran and SDLP MLA Alex Attwood.
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath will seek Cabinet approval to publish a review of ethics legislation and start the process of drafting new laws on ethics in public office.
New research from the Economic & Social Research Institute has suggested that aligned renewable energy targets for both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland would support lower energy costs across the island.
US President Joe Biden is expected to appoint a special envoy for Northern Ireland in the coming weeks.
€650m in funding is being provided for the recently launched Temporary Energy Support Scheme.
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has sought approval to publish the first progress report of the Governments employment strategy Pathways to Work.
The Government is to rebrand its overseas development programme from Irish Aid to the Government for Ireland Development Programme Overseas.
The EPA aims to speed up decision-making on data centres requests for fossil fuel licences.
The Dáil will enter Christmas recess on 17 December and recommence on 18 January.
Other Stories this week
SIPO is facing calls for further clarification regarding the ruling on the planned inquiry into Leo Varadkar as it is revealed there was dissenting opinion on the ruling.
The Government is to rebrand its overseas development programme from Irish Aid to the Government for Ireland Development Programme Overseas.
Over 500 corporate insolvencies have been recorded in Ireland in the year to date. This is a rise of 29% from last year.
32,426 new jobs were created by multinational companies with operations in Ireland over the past year, the highest level of annual growth ever. This is an increase of 9% up from last year.
Business confidence among Irish SMEs slipped again in the third quarter of the year.
An Post CEO David McRedmond has criticised Royal Mail for not supporting small Irish businesses post-Brexit. He blames the UK Post Office for the 52% decline in postal trade between Ireland and Britain since the implementation of post-Brexit trading arrangements.
The Government has won a Dáil motion of confidence in the Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien.
Upcoming key political and business events
7-8 December, Dublin Chamber London Trade Mission.
17 December, Leo Varadkar TD becomes Taoiseach.
17 December, Dáil will enter Christmas recess.
18 January, Dáil returns Christmas recess.
20 January, Chartered Accountants Ireland Annual Dinner, Convention Centre Dublin.
25 January, BioPharma and Lifesciences Connected, Radisson Blu Hotel, Cork.
Consultations
Census 2027 Questionnaire Consultation. Deadline 21 December.
Stakeholder Consultation on the Review of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme. Deadline 6 January