Ceann Comhairle pays tribute to Tánaiste on last question time as Labour leader

Guffaws in chamber as Gilmore asks ‘is it’ his final foreign affairs Dáil slot for questions

Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett has paid tribute in the Dáil to Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore who today dealt with his last foreign affairs question time as leader of the Labour Party.

Mr Barrett said “this is the last occasion I think when the Tánaiste will be taking foreign affairs questions” and there was laughter in the chamber when Mr Gilmore replied: “Is it?”

The Ceann Comhairle told him “well according to rumours”.

He added: “But if it is could I say it’s been a pleasure always chairing sessions of foreign affairs with you as the lead Minister and Tánaiste and I wish you every success whatever you do.

READ MORE

“And maybe you will be back with us. Who am I to speculate? I just read the newspapers like everyone else,” said the Ceann Comhairle, a constituency colleague in Dun Laoghaire of Mr Gilmore.

Marie O'Halloran

Marie O'Halloran

Marie O'Halloran is Parliamentary Correspondent of The Irish Times