THE DÁIL HAS risen for the summer and TDs are off on their holliers as well as doing a bit of that all important constituency work.

While many of them will be grateful for the break they might also be pleased to get away from the Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett who has regularly chastised deputies for their raucous behaviour in the chamber.

Barrett has frequently stood up to give out to deputies for their “shouting and roaring” across the chamber over the last few years and in the last few months he’s been particularly prolific.

Here are a few examples from the Dáil term that has just ended:

1. That time when TDs embarrassed themselves on television…

As Enda Kenny and Mary Lou McDonald went at it over budget cuts, which the latter claimed were forcing young people to emigrate, it all got very loud.

That prompted Barrett to declare: “Roaring and shouting is getting nowhere. You’re an embarrassment on television!”

2. The next day when Barrett had some advice to shouty deputies…

A day after that particular row the shouting and roaring continued prompting Barrett to offer some advice: “Take the morning off and go and watch television and see what it sounds like to be listening to the roaring and shouting”.

3. That time he threatened to resign 

It wasn’t TDs roaring that got Barrett upset on this occasion but rather the amount of times they ran over their allotted speaking times which prompted the Ceann Comhairle to make this little speech:

4. That time when a TD didn’t resume his seat and had to take a walk… 

Brendan Griffin wasn’t playing by the rules during the Order of Business which got Barrett pretty angry.

“You can’t use the Order of Business for a chat,” he told Griffin before a lengthy row resulted in the Fine Gael deputy being told to leave the chamber.

When Griffin did eventually leave under protest, Barrett responded sarcastically: “Thanks very much, that’s very kind of you, very considerate. Jesus, I’ve heard it all now.”

5. When the Ceann Comhairle stands, everyone else sits 

Finally, just last month Barrett clashed with Gerry Adams and had to remind the Sinn Féin president of the rules:

With all this hassle over the last few months, we’re sure that Barrett himself is looking forward to the summer break…

Gifs by Michelle Hennessy

Another year over: What exactly has happened in the Dáil since September 

Dáil over: TDs are off on their summer holidays* and won’t return until the middle of September

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More