Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

While it is traditional practice that the Dáil does not sit until the Wednesday after a bank holiday, we are in exceptional times when such practices must be re-examined. The Dáil needs to examine very important legislation, not least in respect of our banking system and the Finance Bill. So many issues are pressing on the Government and Oireachtas time that this practice of having an extra day on bank holidays should be removed and the Dáil should be seen to be about its business. That would give some level of confidence to people, whereas such practices are apt to cause scandal in the eyes of many people looking in at what we are doing here. We cannot afford that when confidence is low and needs to be bolstered.

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