Dáil votes to rise for 11-week recess

The Taoiseach was today accused of showing disrespect for the Dáil as TDs voted for their 12-week summer holidays.

The Taoiseach was today accused of showing disrespect for the Dáil as TDs voted for their 12-week summer holidays.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte complained that the all-party Oireachtas Committees were not appointed and could not carry out work.

Mr Ahern is expected to appoint chairmen to the Oireachtas committees when the Dáil returns on September 26th.

Mr Kenny called for the Dáil to return on September 11th.

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"No committees have been set up and I regret that they can't do their work in July and early September. We are now breaking for 12 weeks," he said. "There is a great deal of parliamentary work that can be done."

Mr Rabbitte quipped that he agreed with the previous protests from the Opposition of acting Greens leader Trevor Sargent.

"It is further evidence of the disrespect for this House and the disrespect of the rights of the Opposition," he said. "We had yesterday the Taoiseach absenting himself for one of the rare opportunities to be accountable to the House."

Mr Ahern's last day in the chamber was on Tuesday. He was absent yesterday because he was addressing the Ictu biennial delegate conference in Co Donegal.

Mr Rabbitte said the Ictu conference was taking place over four days and he was sure that Mr Ahern could have been accommodated at any time. But he said he found time to pose for photographs for independent candidates for the Seanad.

"I hope that when we start business in the Autumn that we will see more respect for this House," he added.

Despite protests, the Dáil then approved the motion to return on September 26th.