Mirror, mirror in the Dáil, which minister put antlers on a wall?
List of requests from politicians to the Houses of Oireachtas also reveals issues with heating, TV remotes and dodgy off ice furniture
HOUSING Minister Darragh O’Brien requested help from Oireachtas staff to erect a pair of antlers in his Leinster House office.
It was one of the more unusual requests and complaints made by TDs and Senators relating to their Dáil workplaces.
An internal email said of Minister O’Brien’s request: ‘[Oireachtas staff member] recommendation is that the base should be at least 1.9 metres above the floor, so it creates no risk of injury.’
Another politician requested a mirror so he could check his tie was done properly, while others complained about stopped clocks and broken TV remote controls.
An email from the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Jerry Buttimer, to facilities management in the Oireachtas stated: ‘[He has asked] if a small mirror could be provided in his office, please (to check his tie before chamber duty).’
Senator Buttimer also asked for a selection of new items for his office early last year, including a fresh coat of paint, replacement coffee and meeting tables, and a desk lamp.
An internal email said: ‘There is a hunting table that is either in the ballot store or in basement [of Kildare House]. Please replace with the table in this office.’
Another request was made by the office of Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl in relation to heating problems.
‘Radiators aren’t working in this office,’ said a message. ‘Tried to turn them on but no luck.’
The email also asked as well for a table and storage cabinet to be removed along with a health and safety assessment for one staff member who was planning to work a few days each week.
Heritage Minister Malcolm Noonan’s parliamentary assistant also complained about heating problems.
‘The radiator… doesn’t seem to be as hot as others on this corridor,’ they wrote.
‘The office is quite cold as a result. Would it be possible for someone to take a look at this?’ In contrast, Sinn Féin TD Chris Andrews was clearly
feeling the heat in his Dáil office.
‘The window in my office is not working and won’t open,’ he wrote.
‘As a result, in this weather the heat in the office can become quite unbearable.’
The Dublin Bay South TD also got hot under the collar when he couldn’t get his TV remote control to work.
Requesting a replacement, an email from his office complained: ‘The remote control won’t work, despite changing its batteries a few times.’
His colleagues also experienced TV problems. Another complaint was made after a TV set Sinn Féin had used for Zoom meetings in their party room was removed without their knowledge.
‘[This] has created difficulty for us,’ an email from the office of TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn said. ‘We used this on very regular occasions to conduct virtual meetings/ presentations etc.’
Fine Gael Senator Emer Currie made a plea for help when she couldn’t open drawers in her office.
She wrote: ‘I’m afraid I’ve lost the keys to my chest of three drawers under my desk and need to open it. Is there a universal key that I can use please?’
‘Dodgy’ chairs in one research office also presented problems, according to records released by the Oireachtas under Freedom of Information.
An email said: ‘One of the existing chairs, on the far left side of the room, is broken. The chair at the middle desk is dodgy and uncomfortable.’
There were multiple requests for artwork or for paintings to be erected (politicians are not supposed to do any manual work themselves for health and safety reasons).
One request from Sinn Féin TD
Mark Ward’s office asked: ‘Can artwork be hung on the office wall… I have put a sticky note where [we] would like it to be.’
Another request from Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell stated: ‘I have a framed picture I need hung. Is there anyone free?’
In some cases, staff were afraid even to change a clock without first checking with management of Leinster House.
One email from Fianna Fáil Senator Catherine Ardagh’s team said: ‘Sorry for bothering you with this small task but is there any chance someone from facilities could change the batteries in the clock in [redacted room].’
Another request from a Fine Gael administration assistant said: ‘I would be grateful if the clock in my room… could be changed to the correct time.’
Other requests included a plea for a standing desk after a staff member ‘injured [their] tail bone’ and couldn’t sit for long periods, TVs with ‘fuzzy reception’ and door handles falling off.
There was also a complaint about a leaky roof in Fine Gael’s parliamentary party room!
‘Politician requested mirror to check tie’
‘The radiator isn’t as hot as others’