TDs ARE BEING deprived of a last-minute opportunity to top-up their blood sugar before making pronouncements on the ‘plinth’ in the grounds of Leinster House. It’s been confirmed ‘An Siopa’ – the Oireachtas tuck shop – is shuttering its doors tomorrow.

The glass structure, just inside the main gates off Kildare Street, was opened by then-Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in January 2008. It cost around €1.3 million to build – half a million more than the estimated cost.

It sold snacks and newspapers to Oireachtas members and staff, as well as Leinster House keepsakes. However, the shop’s customer base was extremely limited – only those accredited to pass the main gates would have been allowed entry.

Rehab Enterprises, which runs the outlet, said it was closing ‘An Siopa’ following a review of operations, as the location was ‘not viable’. The company said in a statement:

We are happy to say that no jobs will be lost as all staff will be re-deployed.

The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission said it had been happy with Rehab’s running of the business, and that it hoped to have the shop re-opened soon.

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