Lack of mirrors, ‘dodgy’ chairs and TV issues among TD gripes
Amirror for a politician to check his tie was on straight and help with hanging a pair of antlers were among requests made by TDs and senators about their Leinster House offices.
Others asked for stopped clocks and broken remote controls to be fixed.
Specific requests made by politicians included one so Seanad Cathaoirleach Jerry Buttimer could look his best when overseeing meetings.
An email from Mr Buttimer’s office to facilities management in the Oireachtas said: “[He has asked] if a small mirror could be provided in his office, please (to check his tie before chamber duty).”
Mr 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.
“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,” an internal email said.
There were also issues with the office of Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl, with a problem with the heating system flagged with officials. “Radiators aren’t working in this office,” a message said. “Tried to turn them on but no luck.”
The email also asked for a table and storage cabinet to be removed, while there was a request for a health and safety assessment for one staff member who was planning to work a few days each week.
One of the more unusual requests came from Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien, who asked that a pair of antlers be erected in his Leinster House office.
An internal email said: “[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.”
Fine Gael senator Emer Currie asked for help when she was unable to open drawers in her office. She wrote: “I’m afraid I’ve lost 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?”
Sinn Féin TD Chris Andrews had a troublesome TV and remote control that he wanted replaced after it had been broken “for some time”.
“The remote control won’t work, despite changing its batteries a few times,” an email said.
Television problems for Sinn Féin in its party room were also flagged after a television set that was being used for Zoom meetings was removed without the party’s 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.”
“Dodgy” chairs in one research office presented problems as well, according to records released under Freedom Of Information by the Oireachtas.
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.”
The parliamentary assistant to Heritage Minister Malcolm Noonan wrote about heating problems in his room. “The radiator … doesn’t seem to be as hot as others on this corridor,” they said. “The office is quite cold as a result. Would it be possible for someone to take a look at this?”
Heat was also a problem in the office of Mr Andrews. “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.”
There were many requests for artwork or for paintings to be put up, with politicians not supposed to do any work themselves for health and safety reasons.
One from the staff of Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward said: “Can artwork be hung on the office wall … I have put a sticky note where [we] would like it to be.”
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 from an administration assistant in Fine Gael said: “I would be grateful if the clock in my room...could be changed to the correct time.”
Other requests included one for a standing desk after a staff member “injured [their] tail bone” and could not sit for long periods, door handles falling off as well as a leaky roof in the parliamentary party room of Fine Gael.