QUIDNUNC/Renagh Holohan: The 28th Dail may have been the longest in peacetime but it was not always the most orderly and it went out with a whimper rather than the more normal bang on Wednesday night. There were only two members in the house, junior Minister Mary Hanafin, who was replying to deputy Pat Rabbitte's adjournment motion on the cutback in funds for the intellectually disabled, when the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern slunk into the chamber and ended it all. Chief Whip Seamus Brennan lurked in the wings, as did a number of seni
A shocked Rabbitte spoke for the whole opposition when he said the dissolution was long overdue but he wished the Taoiseach well and concluded: "Let the battle begin". The Ceann Comhairle Seamus Pattison thanked everyone for their cooperation over the years and that was it.
Two journos dashed into the press gallery; the public gallery was empty. It was a sad end, particularly for deputies who are retiring and would have dearly loved to be in the chamber to make lengthy valedictory speeches. Many around Leinster House on Wednesday night, savouring their last days, could have kept the house in session for hours.
Observers of the last Dáil have remarked that although it was not dramatic, as were the last few Dáils, it was unruly on occasion as deputies sought attention for particular issues. There were 17 official suspensions from the chamber, where deputies were named by the Ceann Comhairle and ordered to remove themselves for a specified number of days. Two deputies were so penalised twice - Joe Higgins and Trevor Sargent. Others subject to suspension during the past five years were Emmet Stagg, Michael Ferris, Pat Rabbitte, Paul Connaughton, Prionsías de Rossa, Padraig McCormack, Michael Ring, Roisín Shorthall, John Gormley, Andrew Boylan, Bernard Durkan, Tommy Broughan and Nora Owen.
For lesser misdemeanours, or simply rowdy behaviour, a number were subject to one-day suspensions, a penalty imposed on Gay Mitchell and Trevor Sargent three times and John Gormley twice. Others so punished were Ivan Yates, John Farrelly, Austin Deasy, Pat Rabbitte, Nora Owen, Michael D. Higgins, Jim Higgins and Andrew Boylan.
Time's up - but retiring TD's don't lose everything
To date, 21 outgoing deputies have announced they will not be standing for the 29th Dáil. Liam Lawlor and Bobby Molloy were the last to pull out of the race. More, an estimated 30 per cent, will lose their seats. There will also be an exodus from the Seanad. Because it is an unprecedented five years since the last general election, the number of retirees, voluntary and involuntary, will be greater than usual.
As a result, a delegation led by former ministers David Andrews, Sean Barrett and Des O'Malley met Charlie McCreevy before Easter to discuss facilities for retired Oireachtas members.
Anyone elected to Leinster House or nominated to the Seanad, even for a month, already has the invaluable perk of free city-centre car parking for life as well as access to the members' bar, restaurant, library and other areas. Those about to retire want the Minister for Finance to provide an office and a secretary in the Kildare Street building for former members.
Andrews says such a facility would be particularly useful for rural retirees. The reaction was favourable and they are awaiting a response.
Meanwhile, the Irish Parliamentary Society - set up a couple of years ago to promote friendship between retired Oireachtas members and safeguard pension rights - held its AGM recently and elected FG's Myra Barry and Labour's Jack Harte to its nine strong committee.