THE GOVERNMENT has reversed its decision to adjourn the Dáil for a week following the June bank holiday weekend.
The move follows opposition to the proposal from a number of Government TDs, some of whom questioned it at a recent Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting.
Fianna Fáil backbencher Mary O’Rourke publicly expressed her opposition to the break on Newstalk radio on Saturday last.
Opposition parties were certain to oppose the adjournment.
Government Chief Whip John Curran inherited a calendar of sittings allowing for the week-long June adjournment when he took over the post.
Confirming yesterday that he had reversed the decision, Mr Curran said he expected the House would sit on the Wednesday and Thursday which was the norm following a bank holiday weekend.
“I am looking at processing legislation and meeting requests from the Opposition for special debates between now and the summer recess,’’ he added.
Mr Curran said he wanted to facilitate debates, on issues such as jobs and the protection of children, and avoid the unnecessary guillotining of legislation.
He said July 8th was an “indicative date’’ for the summer adjournment and no decision had been made on when the House would return.
The Dáil took a two-week break at Easter.
A Government working group on Dáil reform has met eight times since its establishment in 2009. It last met in January.