Dáil return set for bitter economic debate

THE first row of what promises to be a bitter new Dáil term broke out last night before the house had even opened its doors for business.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen will face a grilling from Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and his Labour counterpart Eamon Gilmore when the Dáil resumes this morning following its three-month summer break.

But Fine Gael fired its first shot last night when accusing the Government of being “out of touch” for refusing to agree to an emergency two-day debate on the country’s economic woes.