Opposition leaders slam length of Dáil's summer break

01/07/2005 - 13:22:48
Opposition leaders have attacked the Government today over its refusal to reduce the length of the Dáil's annual three-month summer break.

The Dáil is due to close for the summer today, with TDs not due back in the house until the end of September.

Fine Gael tabled a motion today - backed by the Labour Party - calling for the Dáil to resume two weeks earlier than planned.

However, the motion was defeated by Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats.

Speaking ahead of the vote, Labour leader Pat Rabbitte said the current Dáil term should also have been extended for a week to allow for debates on important legislation.