TD salaries called into question

THERE would be no need for the unseemly rush to push through important legislation at the last minute if the Dáil took a responsible attitude to the time off it allows itself for holidays.

Last night saw our highly-paid parliamentarians burn the midnight oil to accommodate their three-month holiday arrangements, and in the process they did not devote adequate time to important bills such as the Criminal Justice Act, which has an incredible 800 amendments, or the Defence Amendment Act.