The Cabinet is holding an all-day meeting in Dublin today following the break over Christmas.
Among the subjects that are likely to be discussed with be Nama and the Government's response to the recent Arctic conditions suffered around the State.
The Dáil is not due back until January 19th and Ministers will use the extra time to discuss issues of general policy in such areas as the environment, local government, energy, and social welfare.
Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin will lead a discussion on social welfare policy, including the principle as to whether the lone-parent allowance should be phased out when a child turns 13.
Minster for the the Environment John Gormley is also expected to express his “dismay” over remarks by Dublin city manager John Tierney on the controversial Poolbeg incinerator project.
Mr Tierney last week said the Minister “must be aware” that Dublin City Council had a statutory obligation to go ahead with the incinerator and that interference with the project could leave the State with a multimillion-euro compensation bill.
The incinerator site is in Mr Gormley’s own constituency of Dublin South East. As an opposition TD, he made a submission to An Bord Pleanála against the application for permission to build the facility. However, on becoming Minister, he was legally precluded from interfering in a statutory process that had already begun.
