The Cabinet meets today for the last time before the summer break.
A number of items are on the agenda, including a new national waste policy and a review of a report on the state of child protection in Ireland.
They will also consider changes to the Freedom of Information Act. Proposals to abolish a number of town councils will also be discussed.
Environment Minister Phil Hogan is expected to recommend that private waste collectors continue to be allowed to operate freely in the market, contrary to commitments made in the Programme for Government.
The Cabinet will later get a chance to review the Fifth Annual Report of the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection.
Mr Geoffrey Shannon's report has already been circulated to a number of Government departments over recent months.
