TAOISEACH MICHEÁL Martin has written to the Ceann Comhairle requesting an early recall of the Dáil.
In the wake of the 'golfgate' scandal, and following intense pressure from both the public and opposition parties, the Government confirmed on Monday that the Dáil would be recalled early from its annual six-week summer recess.
After not expecting to sit again until 15 September, the Taoiseach wrote to Ceann Comhairle (Speaker of the House) Seán Ó Fearghaíl requesting that the Dáil be recalled on Wednesday and Thursday of next week- ten days after the announcement the recess would be ended early.
In a statement released by the Government, they say the Dáil "should be recalled following the reopening of schools" in order to deal with any issues which arise.
The Dáil will now return earlier than the planned 15 September.However, with some schools opening as early as Wednesday of this week, some opposition parties argue that to recall the Dáil next week is still too late.
Yesterday, Labour leader Alan Kelly said that to announce a recall "that won't happen for over a week sums up the chaos a the heart of the government".
Labour TD Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said "the Dáil should be back in session tomorrow, Tuesday, we shouldn't be waiting another ten days".
"We’ve no Minister for Agriculture, we’ve huge question marks over schools reopening, the Leaving Cert process, and Kildare is still in lockdown.
"We can’t wait another ten days, we have to get back to work tomorrow."
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald took to Twitter where she argued that the "Dáil should be back this week. [Government] delay is wrong."
"Politics needs to get ahead o the big challenges of school returns, healthcare capacity, protecting jobs and workers."
Dail should be back this week. Govt delay is wrong. Politics needs to get ahead of the big challenges of school returns, healthcare capacity, protecting jobs and workers. Chaotic govt must end.
— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) August 23, 2020
