THE DÁIL REACHED a new low in its debate last night, amid cries of “farce” from every side of the chamber.

There were two hours of arguing over the total cost of the €100 “water conservation grant”, with opposition deputies calling for an adjournment so Kelly could, in their view, get the correct figures.

Coalition TDs, meanwhile, accused those on the other side of “objectionism.”

Independent TD Séamus Healy and Socialist TD Joe Higgins both proposed a formal adjournment, but then there was an argument over whether that would require a vote, or Leas Ceann Comhairle Michael Kitt could do it himself.

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THEN, with TDs about pack up and go home for the night night anyway, Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin pointed out:

The house is due to adjourn in eight minutes. So a motion to adjourn, which will take more than eight minutes to do – it’s farcical.

It didn’t help, with TDs continuing to bicker about how they should adjourn, and Michael Kitt being pulled and dragged in every direction.

You can read the transcript here.

And if you have the patience, or you’re a fan of surrealist theatre, watch for yourself:

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