A Dáil debate on new environment legislation was adjourned this afternoon after the Government failed to produce a quorum of TDs.
A quorum of 20 TDs is required under Dáil legislation. However, only 11 TDs, including the Taoiseach, turned up for the debate on the Protection of the Environment Bill 2003.
"It is virtually unprecedented in recent political history for the Dail tocollapse for want of a quorum," said the Labour Party's Environment and Local Government spokesman, Mr Eamon Gilmore. He said the Government is responsible for ensuring a quorum when one is called.
"A series ofGovernment speakers came in today to attack the Labour Party and to say howimportant the Protection of the Environment Bill was. However, clearly they didnot think it was important enough to ensure the presence of 20 government TDs," he said.
Socialist Party TD Mr Joe Higgins said the farcical scenes showed the Government's "contempt" for the electorate.
The Bill contains a number of provisions in relation to the bin tax issue, including permitting local authorities to leave bins uncollected if householders do not pay dues.