TDs have voted down an Opposition attempt to curtail the Dáil holidays, which begin this evening.
The House will now return on 26 September.
The Green Party, frequently the most vocal opponents of the long vacation, was silent on the issue this morning and Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte pointedly reminded the party of their stance on the issue 12 months ago.
Mr Kenny said that the Dáil had yet to set up committees and an early return would facilitate that process.
But Tánaiste Brian Cowen said committees had not been selected before the summer recess after the last two elections and the House backed the original plan to return on 26 September.
Meanwhile, opposition parties today mounted a sustained attacked on the new Personal Injuries Board Amendment Bill (PIAB).
There were claims that the bill, which will change the way the PIAB does its business, will be found to be unconstitutional.
Under the bill, where a claimant rejects an assessment of the PIAB and goes to court, they will not be entitled to legal costs if they fail to get more than the PIAB award.
