At the start of what Treasury Minister Allan Bell describes as a critical week, Tynwald returns this morning following the summer recess.

James Davis reports on what promises to be a lively sitting:

A summer recess caught short, a first emergency sitting of Tynwald for more than 40 years, the collapse of Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander (IOM), and criticism of the Financial Supervision Commission - no surprise then that finance will dominate parliamentary proceedings!

With a buyer needed to be found for KSF and its frozen assets by Friday, or the bank will be wound up, the well-regulated finance centre the Island claims to be is under scrutiny, as is the upgraded Depositors compensation scheme.

Both the collapse of the bank and aspects of the scheme will be raised as matters of urgent public importance by the Michael member David Cannan.

Aside from the economic situation, subjects to be raised include the legal drinking age, progress on Bemahague School, the development of the Lord Street bus station site and the Langness dispute.

There should be good news for Island residents struggling to meet rising fuel costs and, before all of that, a protest outside Tynwald at 9.30 from dog owners in the capital hoping to overturn new by-laws.

Coverage of Tynwald on Manx Radio's AM 1368 frequency will begin at 10.25am.

(Picture: A view along Hill Street to the legislative buildings in Douglas).