‘Senators powerless to prevent delays’

Seanad members have said they are not at fault for the decision to allow the Upper House to break for another week, after meeting for just three hours during its first business since the election.

Fianna Fáil cathaoirleach Denis O’Donovan and Fine Gael’s Seanad leader Jerry Buttimer said politicians should not be blamed for the move, despite senators already receiving hundreds of thousands of euro in salaries since entering office.

Since the Seanad elections in late April, 49 senators have received almost €300,000 in income.