Suspension of Dáil for a month is 'an insult to democracy' - Mayo TD
Aontú TD for Mayo, Paul Lawless, has criticised the decision to suspend the Dáil until 22nd January.
Deputy Lawless said: "Since getting elected to the Dáil three weeks ago my eyes have been opened to the political messing which goes on behind the scenes.
"TDs only sat in the Dáil yesterday, three weeks on from the election.
"Today it was decided that the Dáil will now be suspended until January 22.
"This is utterly disgraceful.
"Government formation is moving at a very slow pace - it took Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil more than a week before they even sat down together.
"Labour are publicly telling the media they're not going into government, while still talking to the other parties behind the scenes, it's awful messing".
Deputy Lawless continued: "While parliament is suspended there are huge problems facing the country.
"We have about a million people currently on hospital waiting lists. We have four and a half thousand homeless children in Ireland right now.
"We have families of 3,500 people who died from Covid linked to outbreaks in nursing homes or hospitals who are being denied answers by the government's creation of a toothless talking shop Covid inquiry.
"Young people are emigrating in their droves each day. Family carers and people with disabilities are at their wits end.
"Billions of taxpayers money being flushed down the toilet of the National Children's Hospital, bike sheds, security huts and Simon Harris refusing to clarify if he signed the contracts.
"The situation facing farmers is at an all time low, with news now that the Mercosur Trade deal has been agreed. This will replace 22% of the Irish beef market in Europe.
"If we were talking about any sector other than farmers this would be a national scandal with endless media coverage and talk of redundancy and State support.
"Instead we have no government. It's an incredible situation.
"I was elected with a mandate from the people of Mayo, but two months will have elapsed from the election before I will have a chance to speak my mind in the Dáil chamber," added Deputy Lawless