Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

The Fine Gael leader, Deputy Kenny, offered the suggestion that the Houses sit five days a week and return in early January to facilitate and complete the budgetary process. However, the Government seems intent on plodding along at the usual pace. Has the Green Party secured a date for holding the next general election in the second half of January, as it requested on Monday? I recall Senator Boyle stating yesterday that the stance taken was an extension of the programme for Government. Is it set in stone that we will have a general election in the second half of January or will the Green Party have to throw another wobbly on this and flex their muscles again?