Sharp words as Dáil adjourns for six weeks

DÁIL ÉIREANN adjourned yesterday for almost six weeks amid disputes over the length of the recess and claims that the Government was "contemptuous" of the House by announcing its "smart economy" plan in Dublin Castle.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said "at a time of national crisis, when 10,000 people in the private sector are losing their jobs every month, it is perverse and outrageous that the Government can propose that the Dáil will not reconvene until January 27th".

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said "there is business to be done, and those who are deeply concerned about what is happening to the economy, their livelihoods, incomes, jobs and businesses will be scandalised that the Government intends to close down the Dáil until January 27th".

Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said there was a responsibility to deal with the health budget cuts of almost €1 billion, an issue which "transcends all public opinion", and he would welcome "an earlier return".

Tánaiste Mary Coughlan insisted that all deputies would still be working despite the recess, and she said this was "the usual call" for the House to resume early.

However, she said that "if necessary the House can return" in the context of "legislation that may be necessary to deal with the issue of the recapitalisation of the banks".

Earlier the Opposition criticised as "contemptuous" of the Dáil the Government's launch of its economic plan in Dublin Castle.

Mr Kenny said the Government was "leaving here, wounded and discredited, trying to get over the Christmas line with the least amount of damage that can be inflicted on it".

"We have evidence of a discredited Taoiseach, who is either afraid to come into the House or just does not wish to do so."

Mr Gilmore said "the only things engaged in in Dublin Castle are public relations stunts".

"The documents launched there are not ones for the recovery of the country but of Fianna Fáil."

He said that any document announced in Dublin Castle in recent years "is not worth the paper it's written on".

"Where is Transport 21, for example? That was announced in Dublin Castle.

"Where is the document on public service reform? Even the National Development Plan is now a work of fiction."

Mr Gilmore told the House he would be asking the Ceann Comhairle to "have the Committee on Procedure and Privileges examine its appropriateness".

Mr Ó Caolain reminded the Government that it was "accountable to the Dáil and the people of whom we are its representatives".

He added that "we are called on time and again by the Taoiseach to act in the collective national interest, yet there is no consultation or respect".

However, Ms Coughlan, said the Opposition was criticising the Government for not having a plan and "now we have to listen to the hypocrisy of the Opposition on the basis of having one".