The Government Chief Whip (4th August) undermines his defence of the Dail's recesses by acknowledging that it is hoped to increase Dail sitting times. Why has this not been done before now and why did the Dail sit for 12 fewer days this year than last year?
Unless something unexpected happens, the Dail will have sat for just 58 days during the first nine months of this year notwithstanding perpetual crises in law and order, health services, infrastructure, environment, responsibility and accountability. It is noteworthy that UK MPs are paid about the same as TDs. However, MPs have much larger effective constituencies (66,000 versus 18,000), and their Parliament meets for many more days a year (150+ versus 90+) and proportionately more hours than the Dail. Is it any wonder that the electorate thinks that TDs are overpaid and that the Dail is in urgent need of root and branch reform.
Letter published in the Irish Times on 9th August 2005.
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