Colorful politician Mick Wallace has failed to persuade the Irish parliament to take time off to follow Giovanni Trapattoni’s football team to the European Championship.

Wexford deputy Wallace, the man who helped Irish striker Kevin Doyle realise his potential, wants the parliament to break while Ireland are playing in Poland and the Ukraine.

Well known for his penchant for wearing pink shirts, Wallace first congratulated the team on reaching Euro 2012 when he returned to work in the Dail, then requested that the House take time off next summer to watch the finals.

“Given that there will probably be a six-week recess at some stage next summer, would the Tanaiste (deputy prime minister) consider arranging two weeks of it to coincide with the first two weeks of the soccer?” asked Wallace.

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Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore called foul on the Wallace proposal however.

“It shows how much times have changed around here,” said Gilmore.

“There used to be a time when opposition deputies complained about the length of the summer recess. This is certainly a first in that we have got a request not only to extend it, but to have it in June.

“Unwittingly, Deputy Wallace might have stumbled on an issue which will find considerable support on the government side.

“But we’ll have to watch the games on the television, Mick.” Independent Wexford deputy Wallace then went on Twitter to clarify that he had asked for the recess to be reorganised, not extended.