Dáil sitting days may be moved over planned strike

Dáil votes could take place next Tuesday night instead of on the usual day of Wednesday because of a national strike day.

It is also understood that Dáil sitting days could be moved to accommodate the one-day public sector strike next Wednesday which would inhibit business in the Oireachtas.

This means that it is possible that the Dáil could sit next Friday instead of Wednesday.

Public sector unions have accused the Government of failing to make a meaningful offer on pay and are planning large-scale strike action on 14 October.

More than 300,000 public sector workers are to strike on Wednesday, in the biggest day of national strike action since the aftermath of the 2008 economic crash.

Among the protests planned is a picket line at Leinster House, where the Dáil is scheduled to sit.

Opposition parties have said they will not cross the picket line, but today the Taoiseach refused to make that promise.

Asked if he would cross the picket if it does take place, Mr Martin said: "I've made my position clear in terms of where I think there can be derogations, and there doesn't need to be a picket.

"Please, there doesn't need to be a picket, and I'm saying to all concerned, parliamentary democracy matters, and we shouldn't be just lightly chipping away at it, because that could have unforeseen consequences into the future in different contexts and in different circles," he added.

It is understood that the body that runs the Oireachtas has not received a derogation from unions that would facilitate sittings next Wednesday.

This means that it is unclear whether the Dáil, Seanad and committee business will go ahead that day as Opposition members have said they will not cross picket lines.

On Monday, the Dáil business committee will meet to agree on how the lower house will organise its schedule for the coming week.

Government Chief Whip Mary Butler told a previous meeting of the committee that it was important that the Dáil sat as usual for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

A spokesperson for Ms Butler said: "As the Taoiseach said earlier today, sittings of Dáil Éireann are an expression of the democratic will of the people. TDs are elected directly by the people, to represent the people, to legislate for the people.

"As the Government Chief Whip told the Business Committee yesterday, the Dáil should be sitting Tuesday to Thursday next week and she proposed a schedule over three days.

"The operation of the Houses is a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas Service and we await formal confirmation of the service to operate next week.

"The Business Committee will reconvene on Monday. The Government Chief Whip may propose that votable business takes place on Tuesday and it remains to be determined what other two days next week the Dáil will sit," added the spokesperson.