Legislation to allow roadside testing of motorists for “drug driving” will be the first Bill debated when the Dáil formally resumes tomorrow after the summer recess.

The Bill is one of three being taken in the Oireachtas this week but all date from the previous Dáil and Seanad.

The Dáil will also debate a Fianna Fáil Private Members’ motion on pharmacy fees in the wake of the €12 million repaid to the Health Service Executive (HSE) after incorrect claims.

The motion criticises the HSE’s failure to notice the irregularities in claims, notes the investigations of other pharmacies for similar practices, calls for explanations of how those accountable will be held responsible and demands proper auditing provisions be put in place.

General taxation

Water charges will also be on the agenda with a Sinn Féin motion calling for the Government to abolish the charges and fund services through general taxation.

Fianna Fáil faces embarrassment in this debate on Wednesday as it plans to oppose the motion despite calling for a permanent end to water charges in its submission the Expert Commission on Domestic Public Water Services.

A wide variety of issues are likely to be raised during Leaders’ Questions from the Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, AAA-PBP and Labour leaders, including a focus on measures expected in next month’s budget and the controversy over whether the universal social charge (USC) should be cut.

Sales controversy

The Dublin Bus dispute is likely to feature as is the commission of investigation into the National Asset Management Agency (Nama) over the Project Eagle sales controversy and the increasingly vocal calls for a repeal of the Eighth Amendment, which places the life of the unborn on an equal footing to the mother’s.

The Road Traffic Bill, which fell when the Dáil and Seanad were dissolved for the general election, provides for kits to test for the presence of drugs at a cost of €15 per motorist compared to 16c for alcohol breath tests.

The Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill provides for the establishment of a planning regulator.

The Seanad will debate the Single Resolution Board (Loan Facility Agreement) Bill which allows the State to provide the board with bridging finance of up to €1.81 billion to manage the failure of an Irish-authorised bank and minimise wider disruption of the economy.