Adams says SF’s absence from Dáil debate is ‘unacceptable’

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has described his party's absence from a Dáil debate as "unacceptable".

No Opposition TDs showed up to a debate in the chamber on Monday on the Prisons Bill.

Mr Adams said: “We should have had representatives in the chamber. I am sure we have representatives in the Dáil.

“There is also a responsibility on the Government. It has wasted so much time over the last months. There has been a tsunami of Bills.

“Most TDs work very hard and use either a Monday or a Friday to do constituency work. We should have had a representative there.”

Only TD

Minister of State Ann Phelan was the only TD present in the Dáil chamber for the final stages of debate on legislation to complete the closure of St Patrick's Institution, a detention centre for offenders under the age of 21.

Ms Phelan took committee, report and final stages of the Bill, when amendments are debated, without any Opposition or other Government TDs present.

It is the norm for at least one member of each of the Opposition parties to be in attendance for the entire debate.