Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

It is not agreed. The Dáil is going away for the weekend, as is much of the rest of the country. However, there is absolutely no reason the Dáil should not return at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday and have a normal day's business. At a time when the way out of our current economic difficulties is to work harder and provide better value, the onus is on the Dáil and the Government to ensure we take the lead in this regard by returning at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday. I am aware that the arrangements with regard to next week's business are such that there will be few votes. I ask the Government to reconsider the example we are giving by not returning at lunchtime on Tuesday. Most people returning to work on Tuesday will be returning at 8 o'clock or 9 o'clock in the morning.

See this speech in context