The decision taken this morning (Thursday) on the Order of Business in the Seanad to suspend the House for the duration of next week has been slammed as a disgrace by Fine Gael Cork South Central Senator Jerry Buttimer.
“It is absolutely farcical that a few weeks prior to the summer break the Seanad will not be sitting at all next week.”
“Unemployment has spiked again with 439,100 people now on the dole, the country is on its knees as a result of Fianna Fáil and the Greens pouring every cent we have, and more, into the banks and now a decision has been taken to plough ahead with a week off for Senators next week.”
“It is a disgrace that during the month of June, just a few short weeks before the House breaks for what is already considered an extensive recess, Senators will be furnished with another week off.”
“It is imperative that Senators and Deputies sit more days, not less, during this time of critical importance when more people are languishing on our doles queues than ever before. Instead the Seanad outrageously ruled this morning that Senators should have next week off, as planned, in place of assembling the House and attempting to deal with the crises currently strangling the country.”