Opposition attacks Govt over length of Dáil break

Opposition parties have attacked the Government over the length of the Dáil’s summer break.

The Dáil is due to adjourn for the summer later today and will not sit again until September 29.

Speaking in the House this morning, Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte said the length of the recess "beggared belief" and was diminishing the stature of Leinster House and Irish politics in general.

Green Party leader Trevor Sergeant, meanwhile, suggested that the Dáil return on September 1, while Sinn Féin’s Caoimhghin O’Caolain said a long break served nobody’s interests.

However, when a call for an early return was put to a vote, the opposition parties failed to support the measure.