The Dáil will adjourn later today for its shortest summer recess in several years.
Following the eight-week break, the House will return on Wednesday, September 14th, when further reforms in sitting times and procedures will be introduced by the Government.
Previous governments usually opted for a three-month recess.
Following opposition requests for a debate on today’s European summit, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said the Oireachtas finance committee would convene in the Dáil chamber on Tuesday to facilitate TDs who wanted to attend to discuss the summit’s outcome.
Eamon Ó Cuív (FF) said that some TDs worked up to 100 hours a week and would continue working during the recess.
Mary Lou McDonald (SF) said that while TDs worked hard, there were people outside the House working harder.
The House is debating Dáil reform and processing the final stages of a number of Bills. Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan will take the final question time of the current session.