FG to withdraw Dáil 'pairs' as Govt refuses economy debate

Fine Gael is hitting out at the Government for refusing its request to a debate on the economy for the first two days of the new Dáil term.

The Dáil resumes tomorrow and the party is planning to withdraw its "pairs".

“Pairing” is the system whereby the main opposition party absents one member for every TD on the Government side who cannot attend at vote due to Oireachtas business.

Speaking at the National Ploughing Championships in County Kilkenny this afternoon, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said it's important that politicians get a chance to explain the country's problems to 'out-of-touch' ministers.