Calls for Dáil to cut vacation dismissed

OPPOSITION pleas for the Dáil to cut short its summer break to push through a referendum on children’s rights fell on deaf ears last night as the Government insisted TDs take a 12-week holiday.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said the length of the time the Dáil would be suspended was outrageous and called for it to return for at least one day in September to decide on wording for the planned constitutional amendment, and also to set a date for the three outstanding by elections.

However, the Taoiseach dismissed the call, saying the Dáil would not return until September 29 and it was “nonsense” for the opposition to suggest the Government would be on holiday until then.