The ’most important’ law to be dealt with by parliament is introduced formally into the House of Keys today (Tuesday).

The European Union and Trade Bill will aim to ensure the Isle of Man is ready if and when the UK Government pushes the red button and Brexit takes place.

It has already been described by Chief Minister Howard Quayle in his State of the Nation address as ’probably the most important piece of legislation that [the Tynwald branches] need to consider in a generation’.

We haven’t really got a nutshell big enough to summarise the bill, but we could start by saying it will seek to prepare for the inevitable changes to the Isle of Man’s relationship with the EU, currently covered through Protocol 3 and which will end with Brexit.

What makes it particularly tricky is that the United Kingdom and the European Union have yet to finalise a deal.

According to the Manx Government, the bill is ’largely enabling’ - and necessary whether or not the Theresa May manages to strike a deal with the EU while keeping various political knives out of her back.

Some might argue that, in social terms at least, the Abortion Reform Bill is actually the most important piece of legislation this generation has seen.

It gets a mention on the order paper this week but will not be discussed. Before it can go for royal assent the bill, which relaxes the Isle of Man’s currently restrictive rules on abortion, must first be considered once more by the House of Keys to ensure members agree with the amendments made last term by the Legislative Council.

Those amendments are printed on the order paper but will not be considered until next week.

A piece of legislation that will actually be discussed today is the Payment of Members’ Expenses (Amendment) Bill, which will give MHKs a welcome opportunity to talk about themselves.

It is down for what should be a relatively straight forward second reading, when its principle is debated. The bill will prevent any Tynwald member who is suspended for any reason from being paid expenses during that period.

Daphne Caine (Garff) will seek permission to introduce a private members’ bill to amend the grounds for divorce, dissolution of civil partnerships and judicial separation.

Only three questions are tabled for oral answer, covering health, housing and the land registry. Written questions cover a wider range, everything from safety on the Manx Electric Railway to how well the Manx National Heritage kiosk at the Sea Terminal is doing.

Today also sees a return to action for the Legislative Council.

The Criminal Evidence Bill, which sets out what evidence can be given during court proceedings, is down for detailed scrutiny with the second reading and clauses stages.

Meanwhile, Kate Lord-Brennan will seek leave to introduce a bill amending the 2015 Legislation Act, to give Tynwald the power to require ’expiry provisions’ in secondary legislation such as Tynwald orders.