Updated 4.35pm

THE DÁIL HAS risen until 17 September with TDs heading off on their annual summer break.

Though many deputies will be working in their constituencies over the summer they will not be required in the Dáil again until 17th September

The traditional summer break has been shortened from 12 weeks to eight weeks in recent years.

Tánaiste Joan Burton pointed out earlier that the the Dáil is now sitting for longer than under the previous Fianna Fáil-Green government.

Earlier in the day, Sinn Féin attempted to force TDs to come in tomorrow and debate the conflict in the Gaza Strip for four hours.

Though party president Gerry Adams got support from Fianna Fáil and the Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins, the government voted through the eight-week break and ruled out a Friday sitting.

That prompted Gerry Adams to invite TDs to stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza and the entire chamber duly obliged:

The Seanad has also adjourned for the summer recess and will return in mid-September.

Some TDs and Senators on the Transport Committee will be in tomorrow to grill Dublin City Council chief Owen Keegan on the Garth Brooks saga.

While the banking inquiry committee is also meeting next week and throughout July as its ad-hoc expert advisory group works out what the investigation will be examining.

Earlier: TDs stand for Gaza as Deaf community makes Dáil history

Column: Here’s what a politician does during the summer