‘This is not a dress rehearsal’ - Ceann Comhairle urges TDs to spend time with their families this summer as Dáil adjourns

The Dáil will adjourn later today for its summer recess and will return in mid-September.

Following a nine-week break, the Dáil is expected to resume on Wednesday, September 14th.

During the final Dáil session on Thursday, Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl said TDs would not be downing tools over the summer recess and constituency offices would remain open.

“The public are very cynical, some of them, about us. Don’t encourage greater cynicism on the part of the public,” Mr Ó Fearghaíl said.

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“Let’s be truthful and say we know we are all going to be working between now and the return in September.

“If there is one thing that is important for each and every one of us, it is that we take some time for ourselves, take some time to be with our families, our loved ones and our friends, particularly those of you who have young children.

“This is not a dress rehearsal. Time you fail to spend now you won’t be able to spend in the future.”

Mr Ó Fearghaíl thanked TDs, their staff and all of the staff working at Leinster House.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said it was true that TDs would be working with departments, Cabinet would be meeting and constituency offices would still be open.

“What most members of the House will do is take two or three weeks annual leave and will work for the rest of it,” Mr Varadkar said.

“I think everyone should take their annual leave by the way, you only live once. This is not a dress rehearsal.

“It is right that people continue to work throughout the recess but also entirely appropriate that people should take their annual leave and spend that time with their families and certainly not feel bad about that in any way.”