DÁIL SKETCH:THE DÁIL'S long summer break had not even begun, but the talk was already of sand, sea and an airport, writes Michael O'Regan.
Fine Gael's Richard Bruton objected to the recess until September 24th.
"The adjournment is being sought by a Government that is sticking its head in the sand,'' he declared. Bruton accused the Government of running for cover.
"It reminds me of a cork bobbing helplessly in the ocean,'' he declared. "All we have heard from Ministers are bewildered mumblings that they are in control of our destiny, but they are not in control of what is happening.''
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore also thought that the long adjournment was unacceptable.
"It is particularly unacceptable today because, as we sit here, passengers in Dublin airport do not know when their flights will take off,'' he said.
"It is the second day of chaos at the airport. The country is becoming a disgrace.''
Tánaiste Mary Coughlan, who was taking the Order of Business, assured the House the Government would continue to govern during the recess. The Opposition broke into laughter.
Coughlan claimed there was a refusal on the part of the Opposition, particularly Fine Gael, to accept that international factors had an impact on the Republic's economy.
"What other economy ? Zambia's?'' asked Bruton.
Labour's Joan Burton complained that there was €2 billion missing from the Government's figures on the savings to be achieved.
Coughlan promised information and clarity when a succession of Ministers would later contribute to the resumed economic debate.
"They will be rushing away with their buckets and spades,'' said a sceptical Bruton.
The Government's proposal to adjourn until September 24th was carried by 79 votes to 58. With the long break confirmed, backbench ranks thinned out. Gilmore accused the Coalition of having the poorest legislative record since the foundation of the State.
He added to the pre-holiday blues when he revealed that inflation was back up to 5 per cent. "A Cheann Comhairle, what we have is a lazy and incompetent Government,'' he said.
Coughlan told Fine Gael's Charlie Flanagan that the adoption and childcare Bills would be "available in July''.
Flanagan remarked: "This is July.'' Coughlan said: "Maybe when the deputy is on the first learning curve, he might discover that there is a couple of days left in the month.''