Our sham parliament is back today. They should have stayed at home

THE Dáil is coming back today, and it’s a complete sham. For the remainder of the week, it will be an exercise in phoney accountability.

It would be better if it didn't meet at all. As of yesterday morning, the Houses of the Oireachtas weren't even able to say (on what is one of the best websites in the country) what the Dáil would be discussing during the week. They had no details for today or tomorrow.

On Thursday, for about two hours, deputies will be invited to discuss The Fourth Report of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs. Because I work there I know that a debate is scheduled for this afternoon on the EU presidency. Important enough stuff, you might think. But actually, it's not a debate at all. The Taoiseach will come in to the House to read a prepared statement, and then, sorry, he has to leave.