There was no silly season this year with politics continuing unabated. It was a summer recess like no other with political controversies breaking almost every week since the Dáil adjourned at the end of July.
The annual six-week summer recess was not due to end until 15 September, but because of the political upheaval the house will return on Wednesday, two weeks earlier than planned.
The Government will come under pressure from Opposition TDs to answer questions on issues, including the Covid-19 crisis, the return of schools and the fallout from the 'golfgate' controversy.
The Business Committee met yesterday to discuss the Dáil agenda with Opposition parties pushing for a full schedule.
People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett, who sits on the committee, said: "The original proposals for the Government was very minimal and not acceptable given the urgent issues we are facing including the return to schools and Covid-19.
"So it is good that the Government have agreed to a debate on schools and there will be questioning of the Taoiseach."
The Dáil will kick off on Wednesday with Leaders' Questions, followed by a vote on the appointment of a new Minister for Agriculture, and debate on legislation to empower gardaí to close pubs not complying with public health guidelines.
Thursday's agenda will also begin with Leaders' Questions, and there will be another debate on the Criminal Justice Bill, followed by questions to Minister for Education Norma Foley about the return of schools.
The makeup of the Dáil and the Seanad will look very different to how it did just four weeks ago when recess began.
One of the key tasks for Taoiseach Micheál Martin is to fill the role of Minister for Agriculture, which will be a case of third time lucky.
Brexit is also weighing heavily on the minds of farmers, who are concerned about the loss of Phil Hogan from the job of EU Trade Commissioner.
Mr Martin has been under pressure from farmer organisations following the resignation of Dara Calleary.
The position will be filled by a Fianna Fáil TD, and Donegal TD and current junior Minister Charlie McConalogue is tipped to take over the role.
Mr McConalogue is a former agriculture spokesman for Fianna Fáil and some say this could give him the edge over contenders such as Galway TD Anne Rabbitte, who is also being discussed as a potential candidate.
If Charlie McConalogue is successful, Kildare TD James Lawless and Wexford TD James Browne are among those tipped to fill his position as Minister of State at the Department of Justice.
Meanwhile, Mr Martin will be under pressure to ensure there are no more political landmines in this Dáil term.
Sources within Fianna Fáil say they are concerned about the rocky start, with one TD saying the u-turns that took place in the last Dáil, on issues such as ministerial pay and on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, cannot happen again.
There is also concern within Fine Gael about the mishaps on Government communication over issues such as the Green List and the confusion and conflicting advice over Covid-19 restrictions.
One Fine Gael member said the Government needed a strategic communication unit and described the communications strategy up to now as "appalling and frustrating".
The coalition is now beginning to look ahead to the upcoming Budget, with one Green Party TD pointing out that it would be a challenge to get all three Government parties to agree on certain issues.
However, the source said the programme for government, which has already been agreed, would help to focus minds.
Communication between parties is also a concern in the Green Party, with one TD saying the lack of face-to-face meetings had been difficult for the new coalition and that online meetings were insufficient to debate important issues.
After somewhat of a baptism of fire, the new coalition will be hoping the coming months will have less political drama so they can refocus their efforts on pressing Government matters.
