Dail Back In Business

The Dail is back in session today following a two-month summer recess.

It is understood that the day’s discussions will centre on legislation to do with the bail out agreement, the two referendums to be held in October and the changing working practices for politicians.

The first legislation to be dealt with this week will allow for two referenda, judicial pay and Oireachtas inquiries, to be held on the day of the Presidential election on 27 October.

Meanwhile the Government will have plenty of other legislation to process. Under their agreement with the European Union (EU) and the Irish Monetary Fund (IMF) they have to introduce a number of substantial pieces of legislation. The Budget will be introduced at the start of December.

As part of the EU/IMF terms, the Government has committed to introducing reforms in the legal, medical and pharmacy professions to make them more competitive by the end of this month.

Legislation relating to the sell-off of at least €2bn worth of State assets is also expected to be dealt with at today’s session.

Other issues likely to feature on the agenda include the Vatican’s rejection of accusations of interference in the Cloyne inquiry, which will be the subject of debate.

It has been the shortest summer holiday for some time from the Dáil chamber as TDs were last in session just under eight weeks ago.

And from now on they will spend more time here with earlier starting times and even Friday sittings once a month.

The Tánaiste will face leaders questions every week, and backbenchers and opposition TDs will be able to raise topical issues.There has been some criticism of the new system from the opposition, who claim the Taoiseach Enda Kenny will spend less time being questioned by them going forward.

(LB/CD)