Green’s Ryan defends Ahern’s Dáil absence

GREEN Party Minister Eamon Ryan has defended the absence of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern from the Dáil last Wednesday.

Mr Ahern skipped his regular Dáil duty to deliver an address at the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) conference in Donegal, a decision Fine Gael described as showing “absolute contempt” for the parliament.

When in Opposition, the Green Party repeatedly called for reforms to ensure greater accountability to the Dáil and shorter holidays for TDs.