Who would have thought that politicians were entitled to a mid-term break on top of all their already generous holiday entitlements, but there you have it.
Your democratically-ish elected politicians are now off for 12 days, shortly after returning to their seats from a 10-week long summer recess, and just ahead of the upcoming 4-week Christmas break.
Both the Dáil and Seanad are now closed for business until November 6.