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THE DÁIL ADJOURNED for the final time today ahead of election campaigns kicking off.
The final day of the 33rd Dáil was spent debating a motion from the Social Democrats on genocide in Gaza, followed by a heated discussion on phone pouches as well as the Tánaiste getting embroiled in a back and forth on being the child of a bus driver.
Today marked the final day of work in Leinster House for a number of retiring TDs who used their time to bid their final farewells to the chamber.
Signing off on his last day as Ceann Comhairle, Sean Ó Fearghaíl said that he had “thoroughly enjoyed the job”.
He told TDs that he could “get a bit frustrated from time to time”, adding that he wanted to wish the exiting deputies “a long and happy and healthy retirement”.
Among them is People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith, who joked about how she is looking forward to “not banging her head off the wall” anymore.
“I have done it for the past nine years and have had enough of it,” she laughed.
“I have fantastic colleagues and we have worked really hard to make a difference,” she said, adding that radical Bills put forward have been blocked by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
Former Labour leader and Wexford TD Brendan Howlin also spoke for the last time in the House today after serving in nine Dáileanna.
“If I can, I want to thank the people of Wexford for giving me the privilege of serving here for 38 years,” he said.
Social Democrats TD Róisín Shortall also gave her last contribution yesterday evening, thanking voters of Dublin North-West who placed their trust in her over a period of 32 years.
Kerry TD Brendan Griffin, one of the 18 Fine Gael TDs retiring from politics, also bid farewell, stating that he wanted to issue a warm, heartfelt thank you to everybody in the Oireachtas.
He said it had been a massive honour to be part of the Oireachtas over the last 14 years.
Griffin said it has been an enormous privilege to serve in the national parliament since 2016.
“I always did my best for people. I am sorry if there were things I did not get done. I am glad there were certain things I did get done.
“Many of us who are here realise that we are only ever passing through Dáil Éireann. We are only here for a while. We do our best while we are here and try to make as much of a positive contribution as we can,” he said.
He told the Dáil when he was first elected, he did not have any children, but said he now has two little boys.
“They are 11 and nine and I am looking forward to being around for the remaining years of their childhood. It is something that has been a massive influence in terms of my decision to leave here,” he said.
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Don’t think there’ll be much wailing or gnashing of teeth at their departure to cash in those juicy lotto style pensions
@Kevvy kerrr: stop being jealous and begrudging.
@Kevvy kerrr: ‘lotto style’. Same rules as any other public servant.
Adious and do continue the extravagant lifestyle courtesy of the tax-payers. ..
@Michale Kane: well deserved:)
Half of Fine Gael TDs afraid to go before the Irish people again but the government controlled media trying to tell us its Sinn Fein that are in crisis!!
@Kevin O Brien: they told 3 councillors in Kerry they couldn’t run, and parachuted another man who has never had any involvement in politics in as the sole candidate.
The original candidate for Fine gael is currently awaiting sentence for importing irelands largest ever consignment of crystal meth!
Running for the hills before the excrement hits the fan. Knowing full well that the weasels are in for a trouncing come election day.
@Marvin Dollery: no just retiring, perfectly normal :)
@Marvin Dollery: Well, you know they are not really in for a trouncing at all, FG & FF may well end up with 45–47% of the vote,– way ahead of SF , so we will have them back with support of some Independents .
Has our President congratulated Donald Trump yet. Or does 300 thousand jobs and billions in Tax not matter?
The journal trolls are doing a wonderful job in persuading readers to vote Sinn Féin. Keep up the good work John A Doe, John B Doe, John C Doe, John D Doe and all the other John Doe’s.
@Anthony Curran: Wouldn’t be getting my hopes up if I was you Anthony. Not a snowball’s chance in hell Mary Lou will be part of the next government. You’re in for Double disappointment this month on elections.
@Anthony Curran: you vermin are in for one hell of a beating this election :)
@J B: go raibh maith agat Kim jong un
@Paul M Doe: I do love blocking you clõwns. It’s therapeutic :)
fill in the blanks …..
shower of C_ _ _ Z
@Stiles: z..?
@Ciaran: S.
Bye bye please let every door door hit you on the way out.
Amazing how they all talk about work they wanted to get done and couldnt, I wonder how many on reflection could name one positive thing they have acheived? When the politicians come knocking on my door asking for votes I will have one question for them, what have you done to help me or benefit me, cant see my local doctor when I need to, waiting hours in hospital when you have to go in. Cant get my child enrolled in nearest school to me bevause it is full. FFG are esentially buying this election with hand outs.
Not a supporter ,,,but after all that time you given to the Dail you do deserve thanks enjoy retirement James
Thanks
The legacy of most of them, is that they fulfilled their own self interest, failed the people & while those with a conscience (minority) will have regrets, it will all be undone when they retire, gaining that massive Lump sum & pension, amongst the highest in World politics. Irish politics has failed, no more leaders of the calibre of Sean Lemass or Noel Browne to mention two, now we have PR Spin Merchants who have no problem shamelessly lying on air & have used this State to further their own political ambitions. They even have populated social media as we see here daily with “people” like Brendan, Kevin, Paul paid to control the narrative for them.
Congratulations to the wonderful FG patriots who served with honour. Enjoy your well deserved retirement :)
You know they are far from perfect neither am I but aren’t we all lucky that we were born in a reasonably safe part of the world.
Off they trot after a career with their noses in the trough. Leaving their stink behind after sh!tting all over us.
Don’t let your heavy pension hit you on the way out
JB I agree
@Dan Murphy: I don’t.
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