Difficult, exhausting, frustrating: a baptism of fire for Dáil's raw recruits

THE CHURN in the 31st Dáil elected last year was without precedent.

When it met for the first time on March 9th last year, more than half the deputies from the previous Dáil were gone. And of the 84 new members, some 63 were brand new to Leinster House, having never served as TDs or as Senators.

A year later, The Irish Times has spoken to five of that new intake, representing the four main parties, as well as the technical group, comprised of Independents and smaller parties. There is consensus among them the year has been difficult, exhaustively time-consuming and occasionally frustrating. Like so many others, all five had been councillors and were therefore not new to politics. On the whole, all five say the experience has been positive.

First impressions

Thomas Pringle (44), Independent, Donegal North West: “There was a deep learning curve, just getting used to procedures and how things work. The amount of reading and the pace of how things move up here takes getting used to.”

Alan Farrell (34), Fine Gael, Dublin North, says: “There were big mountains to climb in the first 12 months. Primarily it is the volume of information to assimilate on a daily basis. It is enormous.”

Ciara Conway (31), Labour, Waterford: “I had never been in the Dáil before my election. Then there was the photo call on the plinth with Eamon Gilmore. I realised for the first time how good politicians are at using their elbows to get to the front.

“Luckily I am very small, and that got me up at the front. It was magical. My parents have a frame of that photograph on the mantelpiece of their house.”

Robert Troy (30), Fianna Fáil, Longford-Westmeath: “My first day in the chamber, there was a great sense of pride and of making history. There was also a sense of nervousness the first time I spoke, but that passed with time.”

Jonathan O’Brien (41), Sinn Féin, Cork North Central: “I came in with no expectations and an open mind. I found it very hard personally at the start. I have four kids from 17 to seven. I am often in Dublin from Tuesday to Friday, but even when back in my constituency there is very little family time. The reality of politics is that the job comes first and, unfortunately, family comes second. It’s very difficult to explain to the kids that you can’t go to see their match or cannot bring them to training.”

The learning curve

Pringle: “Finding the balance between national and constituency work can be difficult. But do not think that protecting the parish pump should be seen as the most important thing in the current crisis.”

Farrell: “In the council, balancing the work-life balance was relatively easy. I had a change in circumstances not only in the Dáil, but we also had a son six months ago. I often found myself reading briefing documents as I looked at television.”

Conway: “It takes a long time to get used to things. I am a big believer in routines and have got into one for the constituency and the Dáil. When I’m in Dublin it’s always very busy with committees and internal party meetings.

“In Dublin I’m living out of a suitcase and spend a lot of time organising, even for mundane things like washing. [With a young daughter] I could not do it without my parents. My daughter stays with them when I’m in Dublin. I can be very busy at home too.”

Troy: “I had worked part-time for a Senator , so I knew the lie of the land a bit. Personally, I sometimes wonder whether you need the party whip to be applied across all areas. It’s more relevant to the financial and economic situation.

“You do have opportunities to debate your point of view at the parliamentary party meeting. Sometimes you end up in the minority.”

O’Brien: “The big differences between local and national politics is the legislation and how it is written. It takes time to understand the legal-speak, especially in the portfolio that I am in. There is a lot of legislation. Already there have been seven full Bills and three more are currently going through. It was a steep learning curve.”

Downside

Pringle: “The amount of reading involved and the number of lobbying events – you can be pulled left, right and centre. There would be at least three to four events each week between presentations from various groups and industry groups. The Government’s complete lack of willingness to listen to alternative ideas is also very frustrating.”

Farrell: “It is a lot easier to be in Opposition, because you can oppose difficult decisions being made. But I would not change it for a minute. Getting your name on the list or getting enough time to make contributions to important debates or on major legislation is very difficult.”

Conway: “The worst moment was when I heard about TalkTalk [in Waterford] closing. It hit me in the pit of my stomach. I was a similar age to most workers there. I just felt gutted.

“As a TD for a junior partner in the Coalition, things sometimes do not go your way. It’s the nature of coalition. I have a greater awareness of making sure you have conversations with Ministers early in the process so that some proposal that just won’t work is taken off the table.”

Troy: “It’s very set-piece, with a set-time. It’s very rigid from that point of view – and the way they guillotine important legislation is very frustrating.

“When it comes to important pieces of legislation, the Government’s super-duper majority means it’s their way or the highway.

“We have to get away from the idea that if it does not come from Government, it’s bad.”

O’Brien: “The big thing that I find frustrating is how the chamber works. Speaking slots have to be booked the day before.

“In local government, it is more free-flowing. In Leinster House it is all statements, apart from Question Time, with little opportunity to engage with the Ministers. That really has to change.

“If something breaks in the national media, there is little opportunity to debate it. There is the topical debate, but there are dozens of applications looking for just four slots.”

Highlights

Pringle: “Coming to the Dáil on the first day was a high point. A lot of supporters came down from Donegal. There was a great sense of achievement and honour.

“Another high point was the opportunity to respond on live television to Enda Kenny’s televised address to the nation.

“The technical group has worked very well. It has shown that people with a wide diversity of views can come together.”

Farrell: “The committee structure is great, even within parties. It’s great having direct access to Ministers and being involved in the formation of policy and legislation.

Conway: “I got a call saying that I would be the person asked to second the nomination of the Taoiseach. That was my first ever day in the Dáil. I was not nervous making the speech. My dad Joe was in the gallery looking down. It was only when I sat down afterwards that I realised the enormity of it, and what a proud moment it was.”

Troy: “For me, it was a great honour to give the opening address at Fianna Fáil’s ardfheis. From a party point of view it does not get better than that.”

O’Brien: “Being able to engage with people who have the real power, in my case the Minister for Justice.

“In the committees it is very humbling to know that you are responsible for some amendments to important legislation – although it is seldom that the Minister will take it on board.”

On balance have you enjoyed the first year?

All answered yes.