The Dáil is returning on Wednesday as TDs and Senators return to Leinster House after the Christmas break.
Cabinet will take place on Wednesday this week as Taoiseach Micheál Martin is expected to attend the funeral of Ashling Murphy on Tuesday morning.
Prior to Cabinet on Wednesday, Coalition leaders are expected to get an update on the current Covid-19 situation from public health chiefs.
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald is expected to kick off Leaders’ Questions on Wednesday at 2pm.
Ms McDonald will also bring forward a Private Member’s Bill in the Dáil on Wednesday outlining changes the government must implement to eliminate violence against women and girls.
The motion sets out key policies needed to ensure such crimes are prevented and to end tolerance of gender-based harassment and violence.
The murder of Ashling Murphy and tackling violence against women is expected to feature throughout the week.
Opposition leaders are also expected to question Mr Martin over housing and Covid-19.
On Tuesday, the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence will meet privately and it’s understood member TDs will request that Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney should come before the committee to give a full account of the events and his handling of the controversial champagne party.
Minister Coveney has ordered an investigation into a gathering of officials in his department in June 2020, in the aftermath of Ireland winning a UN Security Council seat.
An image which was shared on social media at the time shows a number of officials from the Department's UN Security Council campaign team gathered together posing for a photograph indoors.
The gathering breached Covid rules at the time when people could only meet up to six others from outside their household both indoors and outdoors.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said he did not know if the celebrations constituted an illegal gathering, adding it was a matter for gardaí and not for Government.
The investigation will be undertaken by the new Secretary General in the department, Joe Hackett.
However, former Minister Shane Ross has hit out at Mr Hackett investigating the matter.
He tweeted: “Is Government serious?
“It is asking the Secretary of Dept of Foreign Affairs to carry out inquiry into the behaviour of the Minister, last Secretary General and top civil servants in his OWN department?
“How is this report independent?
“The Minister is his boss.
“Independent needed.”
The saga is also expected to feature heavily in the Dáil this week.
On Thursday, NPHET will meet and are expected to give updated advice to Government on Thursday night about easing current Covid restrictions.
Ministers are expecting a positive meeting with health chiefs and are anticipating getting the green light to relax measures like the 8pm pub and restaurant closing time.
Decisions will also be mad eon allowing indoor events past 8pm, allowing greater capacity at indoor and outdoor events.
NPHET will also examine the impact a return to offices and workplaces may have on the virus.
Senior Government sources have said they would be surprised of NPHET recommends that pubs can go back to operating at normal hours.
However, one Minister said “it’s quite clear we’re past the peak now and it’s time we begin to reopen again.”
The source added: “NPHET will make recommendations but Government will ultimately decide.”
