Madam, - Government Chief Whip Tom Kitt undermines his defence of the Dáil recess by acknowledging that it is hoped to increase Dáil sitting times.
Why has this not been done before and why did the Dáil sit for 12 fewer days this year than last year? Unless something unexpected happens, the Dáil will have sat for just 58 days during the first nine months of this year, despite continual crises in law and order, health services, infrastructure, environment, responsibility and accountability.
It is noteworthy that MPs in the United Kingdom are paid about the same as TDs. However, MPs have much larger effective constituencies (66,000 versus 18,000), and their parliament meets for many more days a year (150-plus versus 90-plus).
Is it any wonder that the electorate thinks TDs are overpaid and that the Dáil is in urgent need of root and branch reform? - Yours, etc,
BRIAN FLANAGAN, Ardmeen Park, Blackrock, Co Dublin.