The Dáil resumes - A defining moment for Government

As the Dáil returns from its two-week Easter break this week, there is a feeling that this administration is entering its defining period.

If it can deliver on various promises, programmes or policies it might, eventually, face an election without deep foreboding. If it cannot, then a far less attractive fate seems probable for the Government and for the country.

Buoyed by some success on bank debt, new personal insolvency rules and restoration of some sort of stability — but not optimism — Enda Kenny’s coalition will, over the next few days, know if it has done enough to get even a grudging vote in favour of Croke Park II.