THE DÁIL will sit for just two days next week despite Opposition criticism that it was “absolutely daft” not to be in session on Tuesday, given the state of the economy.
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said there was “no justification at all” not to sit the day after the bank holiday, but it was agreed by 67 to 59 votes to adjourn until Wednesday next at 2.30pm.
Tánaiste Mary Coughlan said the matter was agreed by the party whips. Labour chief whip Emmet Stagg said, however, “we were informed” but it was not agreed.
Michael Kennedy (FF, Dublin North) asked “did they demur?” Mr Gilmore described the lengthy adjournment as an “absolutely daft proposal” in “the kind of times we’re living and the circumstances we’re facing”.
“I know that it has been the tradition and practice down the years that when there’s a bank holiday the House doesn’t sit the day after a bank holiday but these are not normal times. The financial markets are still in a state of flux. People are still very concerned about what’s happening with the economy.”
He pointed to the thousands of pensioners and students who protested outside the Dáil. In next week’s Dáil schedule, “there is no provision at all being made for a continuation of the debate on the Budget”.
Fine Gael deputy leader Richard Bruton said: “We’ve had a very timely reminder yesterday that power in this State resides with the people and we have to respect the people’s views. And I think the people would expect that we would not be taking an extra day’s holiday next week at a time of such enormous convulsion.”
John Cregan (FF, Limerick West) shouted “you agreed a while ago”, referring to Fine Gael’s acceptance of the adjournment until Labour objected.
Mr Bruton said there was an expectation the Dáil would sit next week to deal with “a lot of the issues that have been thrown up by the Budget”.
Sinn Féin’s Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin objected to suggestions TDs were taking an extra day. “TDs work exceptionally hard and have responsibilities in their constituencies. I mean that for all parties.”
