Labour and Fine Gael have called for an extension of the Dáil sitting week and a reduction in the length of Summer and Christmas recesses.
In a joint 10-point plan to reform the workings of the Dáil, the parties said the Dáil should routinely sit for four days a week from Tuesday to Friday instead of three days.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny
The plan proposes the chamber should rise for its Summer recess not earlier than mid-July and return not later than mid-September and that the Christmas recess also be shortened.
The parties claim the current structure of Dáil sessions and the existing sitting week date from an era when most TDs were part-timers.
They said urgent reform of Dáil procedures were needed to increase the relevance and effectiveness of the chamber.
They claimed their plan would increase the number of sitting days each year by close to 50 per cent.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny accused the current Government of "systematically attempting to downgrade and side-line our national parliament".
Mr Kenny said: "Our plan will give both government and opposition deputies more opportunities to raise topical issues and question ministers in a meaningful way."
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte said: "While considerable progress was made in regard to Dáil reform during the 1980s and 1990s the process of Dáil reform has ground to a halt during the lifetime of this government."
He said: "The failure to modernise our procedures and reform the structure of the Dáil sessions has encouraged the view that the Oireachtas is losing its relevance and that the people who are elected to serve have only their own interests at heart."
The plan proposes that Fridays should constitute regular sitting days, and should include and order of business and question time.
It also suggests leaders questions should be taken on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
The parties are also proposing an increase in the time allocated to oral questions which they say most of go unanswered.
The plan calls for standing orders to be "amended to place an obligation on ministers to ensure that questions are answered properly and fully."
Government Chief Whip Tom Kitt tonight dismissed the plan and accused Fine Gael and Labour of devoting too much time to political posturing and petty point scoring.
"Not once throughout their document do they mention providing more time to legislate in the public interest," he said.
"They are not interested in a real and constructive debate about positive Dáil reform. They are only interested in posturing for the media and using the Dáil chamber to advance their negative, zero agenda."
He said two Government measures rejected by Opposition parties last year have now been included in the ten-point plan.
"This Government is open to a genuine and honest debate on the issue of Dáil reform that will serve the interest of the public better, not party political interest in Leinster House," Mr Kitt added.
