The Dáil rose for two months this week but when it returns, there will be a race to the finish line if there is an election in November.
Despite the protestations to the contrary, many expect Taoiseach Simon Harris to go to the country in the autumn rather than risk five by-elections and any unforeseen destablising events.
With the Dáil back in mid-September, there may be only around six weeks to pass outstanding legislation.
This means the Government will have to tightly focus its priorities and accept that some items will fall off the agenda, providing ammunition for the opposition to use during the election campaign.
So what are some of the most highly-flagged and controversial measures that have yet to get through?
Hate speech bill
This legislation has fallen foul of both ends of the ideological spectrum meaning it has become an unloved proposal for many.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has staked a lot of political capital on the measure although it was initially brought forward by her predecessor, Charlie Flanagan.
The Bill faltered in the Seanad coming under sustained attack. The Department is working on amendments to deal with concerns around hate speech.
It's understood the legislation remains a top priority for the minister but others in Government are less convinced that it is worth pursuing.
Unclear whether it will get through at this point.
Planning and Development Bill
This massive overhaul of planning legislation runs to 700 pages and has been a mammoth piece of work.
It was hoped that it would pass before the recess but some final tweaks remain.
Senators will sit next week to consider the committee stage and it will return to the Upper House in late September for final stages including some technical amendments.
This is a top priority to get through and seems unlikely to fall at this point unless there is a major upset.
Wider construction defective apartments scheme
An interim scheme to fund emergency fire safety works for apartments has been up and running for several months.
However new legislation is needed to provide for redress for broader works expected to cost billions of euro.
This is unlikely to be finalised by this Government and it is expected to fall to the next administration to introduce the new scheme.
Ban on disposable vapes
The Government has long touted a ban on disposable vapes with Junior Minister Ossian Smyth pushing for the move on environmental grounds.
However, advice from Europe has indicated that this would not pass unless it is also grounded as a public health measure.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly is now working on new legislation to do this and heads of a bill are expected at Cabinet in September.
But an early election could scupper the plan as it still has to get through committee scrutiny.
Electronic patient records
Legislation to provide for the collection, storage and sharing of health data was agreed by Cabinet this week and will be published next week.
This would modernise the health service and make it much more efficient with patients’ records stored electronically.
It’s understood this potentially hangs in the balance as it is a detailed bill. However it has already received a green light from the Data Protection Commission and the EU.
Assisted Human Reproduction Bill
Although this was passed by both houses recently, it requires some amending legislation relating to donor assisted reproduction and posthumous issues.
It’s understood this is a top priority and efforts will be made to ensure it passes before the Government falls.
Registration of short-term letting bill
This long-promised legislation aims to regulate short term letting companies including Airbnb by requiring them to register with Fáilte Ireland.
It was included in the Programme for Government and conceived as part of the solution to free up long-term rentals in many areas.
It ran into difficulties at EU level over a requirement to align our legislation with EU moves.
Another delay is around guidelines for the sector on the rules. This is being put together by the Department of Housing.
However, the Department of Tourism has overall responsibility for the Bill.
Labour has long called for clarity about this legislation and has pushed for it to progress.
At this stage, it looks as though the Bill is in serious danger of not getting through before the Government falls.
Covid inquiry
Both Britain and Northern Ireland have held public inquiries into aspects of the government’s handling of the pandemic.
The Irish Government has promised one but has stressed that it would not be about finding fault and instead would be a learning exercise.
Proposals have not yet been brought forward by the Department of the Taoiseach despite a meeting being held with opposition leaders in recent months.
However, sources say this will go to Cabinet before the end of this Government’s life.
And as a non-Oireachtas inquiry, it will remain in place after that.
