LABOUR SENATOR John Gilroy on Wednesday: “A Deputy earns €27,000 more than a Senator yet the Seanad sits the same number of hours, sits on the same committees and passes the same legislation.

“The public would consider Senators and Deputies to do primarily the same work in the constituencies. In future, when we hear Government backbenchers calling for the abolition of the House, I suggest they first reflect on reforming their own House. They can then come back to us and give us the argument and, perhaps, we will listen to them.”

Fianna Fáil Senator Jim Walsh on Thursday: “Yesterday we had a 2½ hour sos [break] and the House adjourned at 6pm.

“Today we are adjourning at 1.45pm, and the House will not sit next Tuesday because Monday is a bank holiday.

“This is appalling. It is not what the Seanad should be about. We are making the case for abolition of the Seanad.”

They’ll be back on Wednesday. At 12.30pm. Well rested.

The Dáil returns on Tuesday at 2pm.