Dáil rejects proposal to sit for longer

The Dáil has adjourned for almost 12 weeks until September 27th as the Government rejected an Opposition proposal to sit for an extra three weeks.

Before the 83-day recess, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny demanded that the House sit next week and return in midSeptember to discuss a number of controversial reports.

Labour leader Pat Rabbitte described the proposal as "modest and reasonable", saying that the Dáil sat 55 days fewer than the House of Commons and that "it is immensely damaging that we are not seen to take a reasonable break in line with other parliaments".

Green Party leader Trevor Sargent referred to the Dáil sitting just 96 days in the year, "not even reaching 100".

However, Sinn Féin's Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said the majority of deputies worked extremely hard and for long hours, and the committees would continue sitting. "It is important not to lose sight of those facts and not to peddle a false impression as to the extent of the input of members."

Minister for Finance Brian Cowen agreed that while the plenary session was finishing the committees would continue during July and again in September, and would provide accountability. "It is not a question of work ending after today," he said.

Ministers would also continue their work in Government and the Estimates process would start this month with preparations for the budget.

Opening the debate, Mr Kenny pointed to the joint document on Dáil reform, jointly published by his party and Labour. It called for longer sittings. He said his proposal to sit for three extra weeks would allow discussion on a number of reports, including the Sullivan report into the handling of the Supreme Court statutory rape case; the report published on Monday on the Supreme Court's decision; the Barron report into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings; the Harris report on the standard of Irish language in primary schools; and the proposed legislation on privacy and defamation. Sitting three extra weeks "will also demonstrate to the public that Dáil reform, efficiency and professionalism are matters we take seriously".

Mr Rabbitte said he was "always surprised that the Government appears to be insensitive to the inevitable snide commentary that going on leave today until September 27th, as it will be presented, attracts for this House and politics generally".

"There is much business for this House to do next week. We have spent the last three weeks railroading important legislation through the House without giving it adequate scrutiny. Everybody is aware of that. Legislation has been introduced almost without notice and, in some cases, all stages have been taken together with no adequate opportunity to scrutinise it." Mr Sargent, who wanted an extra four weeks' sitting, said the Government wished to "insulate itself from scrutiny and accountability. Dáil Éireann is where the accountability takes place."

Mr Cowen said the committee system was begun to "continue the accountability mechanism that parliament provides to the Government". The extended sitting proposal was rejected by 69 votes to 55.