Cross-party deal to see Finance Bill rushed through

NORMAL Dáil business has been scrapped this week after a cross-party agreement allowed the Finance Bill to be raced through the Oireachtas ahead of an early election.

The Fianna Fáil minority Government conceded to opposition demands after the Green Party said it would vote no confidence in Taoiseach Brian Cowen if the bill was not passed by February 1.

The Finance Bill, which enshrines budget measures into law, will be the only item on this week’s agenda and the Seanad will sit on Friday and Saturday to allow any lingering oversights to be mopped up.