Madam, - A quick check reveals that the French, British, German, Italian, Scottish, Romanian, Swedish, Austrian, Welsh, Northern Irish, Russian, Canadian and United States parliaments have all reconvened after the Christmas break, some as many as three weeks ago.
However, although there are Easter eggs on sale in the supermarkets, in Dáil Éireann the Christmas holidays continue until just seven days before the start of Lent.
Since the Dáil sat for just 76 days in 2007, is it unreasonable to ask whether a full-time democracy is properly served by such a part-time parliament? - Yours, etc,
KIERAN PHILLIPS,
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Ashton Park,
Monkstown,
Co Dublin.