The Government voted through the adjournment of the Dáil next week, despite Opposition criticism.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said he could not accept the proposal to adjourn the House until 2.30p.m. on Tuesday, June 14th, because of the need to debate certain important issues. As of that morning, there was no chief executive designate of the Health Service Executive, he added.
"We need to debate this and the issues arising from the report on nursing homes. We also need to have a debate on the findings of the Morris tribunal." Labour leader Pat Rabbitte said there was no excuse for the House rising next week. "It can meet as normal on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday if necessary to discuss the Morris tribunal report, an issue so fundamental for our democracy."
John Gormley, Green Party, Dublin South East, said the Government's response to the need to discuss important issues was to go on holidays and take its Cabinet roadshow to Cork.
"In three weeks' time, we are off on holidays again."
The Dáil, he added, would be in recess and deputies were not being productive in the House.
Minister for Finance Brian Cowen said arrangements had been made to have the House adjourn next week. The issues raised by Opposition deputies would be dealt with, and needed to be dealt with, he said.
Mr Gormley moved a Green Party amendment to the Government's proposal that the House resume next Wednesday. However, the Government won the division by 55 votes to 45.
