THE Dáil should immediately be recalled to help tackle the coronavirus, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has said.
The house is not due to sit again until next Thursday afternoon as the Republic's parties negotiate to form a government.
Mr Tóibín said it was "disgraceful" that the Dáil was not in session and claimed that TDs "are being briefed through the media".
He said a confirmed case of the virus in Belfast meant that TDs needed to scrutinise the Republic's strategy to deal with a possible outbreak.
He said the Irish government has yet to follow Britain and screen passengers from China and other countries where the virus is spreading.
"There are significant questions particularly around the pressure that could be put on our hospitals in the event of a large outbreak given that many of these same hospitals are already operating in crisis mode," he said.
"It is disgraceful that amidst all of this that the Dáil is not in session and we are left with a caretaker government."
He added: "Aontú calls on the government to fully brief the Dáil on the current status of preparatory measures being taken and the level of cooperation between our authorities and those in the North of Ireland and our neighbours".
"It is incumbent upon us all as public servants to do our best to protect the people of this country and for the people to have faith that this is being done."
