How British MPs leave TDs in the shade

THE Dáil has closed for a five-week Christmas break. This year it will have sat for 97 days, compared with 155 days for the House of Commons.

The Dáil working week is typically Tuesday to Thursday, compared with Monday to Thursday for the Commons, and sometimes they also sit on Fridays.

As an example, from February 24 to April 11 the Commons worked seven five-day weeks in a row. That's right, Monday to Friday for seven weeks in a row.