Two-day sitting of Dáil next week comes under fire
When this year’s calendar was drawn up, it was originally envisaged that the Dáil would not sit at all next week. That changed following a combination of opposition criticism and discussions between the Government chief whip John Curran and the Taoiseach.
The Dáil will sit next week, but due to the bank holiday, it won’t begin until 2.30pm on Wednesday. It will shut again at close of business on Thursday evening.
The hours are in keeping with the tradition that the Dáil sits only two days a week, rather than three, following a bank holiday weekend.
But the opposition last night claimed the situation was “farcical”.
“There is no reason why it cannot sit at 2.30pm on Tuesday,” Labour whip Emmet Stagg said.
He also criticised the fact that, under the agenda put forward by the Government, there will be no leaders’ questions (where the Taoiseach is quizzed on issues of the day) or votes.
“The [agenda] is designed to present the illusion of Dáil sittings while the Taoiseach, most ministers and Government backbenchers will not be required to be here at all,” Mr Stagg said.
But Mr Curran insisted that the “additional week” would be used to progress important legislation and hold key debates.
“Next week’s sitting of the Dáil was initiated following discussions I had with the Taoiseach,” Mr Curran said.
“We decided that due to the important legislation that needs to be discussed in advance of the Dáil’s summer recess, and a significant debate on children, it would be appropriate to use the week after the bank holiday for this purpose.
“I would remind [the opposition] that this week was originally scheduled to have the Dáil in recess,” he added.
“The Government looks forward to returning on June 15 to avail of the usual opportunities to defend our record and show how Ireland is turning a corner economically.”
