Congratulations and good wishes came from the highest levels this week for Reka Szocs, a member of one the most important teams in Leinster House – the catering staff.
Romanian-born Reka (38) came to Ireland from Hungary at the end of 2006. She got a job as a cleaner and found herself in Leinster House.
When some positions came up in the busy self-service restaurant, hard-working Reka was given a start by then manager, Don Rice, and she hasn’t looked back since.
On Monday, she will be granted her Irish citizenship at a ceremony in Conference Centre Dublin.
“This means so much to me because Ireland has given me everything and brought me a lot of happiness. I was six when my parents died in Romania.
“My sister came to Ireland 14 years ago and I eventually came here because of her,” she says with an accent which now has broad hints of Dublin in it.
She tells people: “My name is Reka, as in Reka-da-Hesperus.”
The Taoiseach and Ceann Comhairle were among the many canteen customers wishing her all the best this week.
(Enda, we notice, is quite the charmer with the staff when he comes in for his grub.)
“Six years ago I came over here and I couldn’t speak a word of English. I’m trying my best, but I’m not sure I can fully master the national anthem” she tells us.
“I can’t wait for Monday, it’ll be the best moment of my life. Dublin is my home now and that makes me very proud.”
