Dáil and Seanad to resume work after Christmas break

The Dáil and Seanad are due to formally resume today after their lengthy Christmas break.

The Dáil did sit for two days last week to debate the new health bill, but it gets back to proper business today for the first time since mid-December.

The Government says it plans to publish 25 new pieces of legislation between now and the Easter recess on April 5th.

They include a bill to regulate charities and make them account for the way they spend their money and another to improve consumer protection, including putting the National Consumer Agency on a statutory footing.

An ethics bill is also on the agenda to ensure that politicians account for the gifts they receive.