TDs get Christmas time on their side

CHRISTMAS came early for TDs yesterday as the Dáil broke for Christmas holidays - for the best part of six weeks.

The Dáil will not resume until January 25 - giving the deputies a seasonal break that will be the envy of most citizens.

Many politicians will do extensive constituency or committee work in that period, but Green Party leader Trevor Sargent, for one, feels the break is overly generous.

“It is not acceptable,” he thundered in the Dáil yesterday. “We have reached the end of the Dáil term with more statements made than legislation passed.

“I ask that the Government be required, with all of us, to come back two weeks earlier on January 11.

“There is a general mood in the public mind that the Dáil is not delivering and not succeeding in responding to the issues that affect people in their day-to-day lives. I propose by way of amendment that we return on January 11 rather than on the date specified.”

Needless to say, his mission failed. January 25 it is.

It being the last day of term, Tánaiste Mary Harney wished everyone a happy Christmas on behalf of the Government. Normally, the Taoiseach would carry out this task, but he was in Brussels for the summit of European leaders. Preparation is everything though, and Mr Ahern had given season’s greetings the previous day.

His well-wishing came after weeks of particularly hostile debate in the chamber - think Ivor Callely, PPARS and the Frank Connolly affair.

And, it being the season of goodwill, the opposition called a temporary truce.

“It is our job to hold the administration to account - to expose the Government and its ministers for failure to live up to their constitutional and ministerial duties,” Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said. “(But) for now, I am happy to return the swords to their scabbards.”

Summing up, the Ceann Comhairle, Dr Rory O’Hanlon, advised his fellow TDs: “They should take a break and enjoy themselves.”

Well, they’ll certainly have plenty of time...