Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

It is strange that the only Easter rising mentioned by the Government is the Easter rising to run rather than face the music in the Dáil. The Government needs to be reminded that the Dáil should sit for much longer than it does. A term of 92 days a year is not a proper parliamentary term in European terms. With the Taoiseach in Armagh today talking to the British Prime Minister, it is fitting that if we are to have proper implementation of strand 3, whatever about strands 2 and 1, we should have the same sitting arrangements as Westminster.

I seek to amend the proposal so that we return on Wednesday, 19 April 2006 at 2.30 p.m. That would give us an extra week's sitting. The Dáil should not take 16 days' recess when we face the numerous issues raised by Deputies under Standing Order 31. The issues raised should indicate to the Ceann Comhairle the inappropriateness of this break. I ask the Government to recognise that we must be in the House to articulate fully the views of the public. The Government cannot be left to operate without the public accountability the Dáil would ensure. On that basis, I ask the Ceann Comhairle to allow an amendment to the effect that we come back a week earlier to get on with the business we are elected to carry out in the House.

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