Dáil Sketch: What’s seldom is emotional as Olivia Mitchell gives thanks

It was all about the electorate. As the Dáil wearily draws to its full-term decline, the few TDs present were very focused on the issues at stake in their individual constituencies.

Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney showed his exasperation over election politics when Fianna Fáil’s Éamon Ó Cuív pressed him about live cattle exports and competition with factories which were “squeezing the lifeblood out of farmers”.

After a lengthy question and answer session on the issue, the Minister exclaimed: “You can tell there’s an election coming up with this stuff – God Almighty.”

Flooding in Co Clare, and poverty and deprivation in Co Donegal on the Government’s watch were raised on Leaders’ Questions along with a testy bout between Tánaiste Joan Burton and Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald over 15-month waiting times for 250 children needing scoliosis surgery.

Testimony

“I am sure you have heard the testimony of parents who say they look on as their children cry in pain,’’ she said. “And they wait, and they wait, and they wait.’’

In the usual combative style displayed by the Labour leader, she responded: “Have you finished your tsunami of hate and invective there? Are you sure you finished it? Do you want to rant a bit more?’’

But for one TD present it was a particularly emotional day.

Outgoing Fine Gael TD Olivia Mitchell raised her hand to speak during the Order of Business.

The long-serving TD, who has represented Dublin South since she was first elected in 1997, wanted to thank her voters and colleagues as she retires from the Dáil.

It is seldom that a TD who is about to retire comes into the chamber to thank supporters.

But in her final speech to the House – she is attending a Council of Europe meeting in Strasbourg next week and is unlikely to be back before the election is called – Ms Mitchell wanted to thank the electorate in Dublin South.

She said it was an “ incomparable honour” to represent them.

Pausing briefly as she tried to hold back the tears, the former secondary school teacher also wished her colleagues the best for the election.

“I know that none of them, apart from the Ceann Comhairle probably, don’t know what they’ll be doing in a month’s time so I wish them the very best.”

Seán Barrett will be automatically returned to the Dáil as ceann comhairle.

With a catch in her voice, she thanked him and his predecessors for “their courtesy and guidance and indeed their friendship over the years”.

Party colleague Mary Mitchell O’Connor pressed her arm gently as her colleagues gave her a sustained round of applause.

And pondered just when the Taoiseach will raise the election flag.