Quidnunc knows there is a shortage of space to accommodate the egos in Leinster House, but the kerfuffle a couple of weeks ago was a bit unusual. Roger Garland, the first Green member of the Dβil (1989-1992) still drops in on occasion. Former members of both houses have access to the Members' bar, restaurant, library and carpark. All are extremely valuable entitlements. Garland however, through his friendship with Donegal South-west deputy, Tom Gildea, also had access to an office on non-sitting days and when the authorities of the Houses of the Oireachtas heard about the arrangement they were none too pleased. In fact, Garland was evicted.
Although Garland and Gildea (one of the four Independents supporting the Government), never served in Leinster House together and on the face of it would appear to have little in common, Gildea agreed Garland could use his office on some Mondays and Fridays. "In fairness to the man, he approached me way back and asked if he could occasionally use the office. Maybe I am different to some people, but I never leave anything there when I leave on a Thursday and carry everything with me." Gildea's secretary is in Donegal.
Garland told Quidnunc he used the office for campaigning on behalf of Keep Ireland Open, (the Ramblers), the Friends of the Irish Environment and An Taisce. Only An Taisce has an office, so he says facilities such as a desk and telephone, for an occasional hour or two, was most useful. "I make no apologies for it but it was frowned upon by the powers that be. I didn't feel I was doing anything I shouldn't."
The authorities however visited the office while Garland was in situ and told him he had to go. Leinster House spokeswoman Verona N∅ Bhroinn says Garland "was found to be using a member's office and was asked to desist and he readily agreed".