Will extra Dáil holiday be paid leave?

I read this morning that TDs have collectively voted to give themselves a week’s holiday to coincide with the schools’ mid-term break.

This Government-proposed motion was passed without objection from the Opposition.

Everyone is entitled to a break, but surely TDs’ generous holidays were set out in their terms and conditions like any other job?

Granted, they’re in a position where they can vote to make the rules up as they go along but not everyone has this privilege — indeed, a lot of companies, when faced with deadlines and emergencies, won’t give their employees permission to take holidays at certain times of the year and everyone accepts this as pretty reasonable if a project needs completion.

Perhaps our elected representatives don’t think there are any urgent matters that the Dáil needs to attend to?

The motion was met with no opposition from the Opposition, so that’s that.

I wonder though — will this be unpaid leave?

Will they be claiming any expenses during this week? Because if I find out that any of them claimed anything for their week’s break next week, they better not dare come looking for my vote next time round.

James Gaffney

Hotel Centenario

Itajubá Minas

Gerais

Brazil