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Dáil over
This clip of TDs shouting and roaring will make you glad they've gone on holidays
The Dáil has risen until 22 September. Thank God, says you…
THE DÁIL HELD its last session before the summer break today with TDs now free from their Oireachtas duties until 22 September.
The lengthy break is much-needed for regular Dáil watchers who may well have grown weary of parliamentary proceedings in recent weeks.
Today was a classic example of why it can be a pretty dysfunctional place. As Leaders’ Questions ran considerably over time Tánaiste Joan Burton sparked an unholy row.
It all started after independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice called for the government to stop the pension boosts for former taoisigh and ministers.
Burton, in the course of a lengthy answer, asked why independent deputies had not handed back their controversial €41,000 individual allowance.
That prompted huge anger on the independent benches and chaos ensued:
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