Emergency meeting over Dáil sittings during strike action
The Irish Dáil has canceled its Wednesday session due to a planned public sector strike, as opposition members refused to cross picket lines. The government, which initially hoped to proceed, ultimately revised the schedule to avoid forcing members to break the strike action.
Why it matters
This event underscores the influence of labor unions on legislative operations and the political friction between the Irish government and opposition parties.
The Dáil will not sit next Wednesday due to the public sector strike day, in a move the opposition is describing as a climbdown by the government.
Instead of the usual three-day schedule, the lower house will only meet on Tuesday and Thursday next week.
Committee and Seanad business are also cancelled for Wednesday.
The Government had initially pushed for the Dáil to go ahead on Wednesday with a suggestion that unions might give officials a derogation.
Opposition party members had insisted they would not cross picket lines.
No derogation was agreed, and government chief whip Mary Butler today tabled a revised schedule for Tuesday and Thursday of next week only.
This was agreed by a meeting of the Dáil business committee this afternoon.
Voting in the House will take place on Tuesday rather than on Wednesday evening, when it is usually scheduled.
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