Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

The Ceann Comhaile says he saw nobody drunk during the abortion debate.

'It's a members facility'. Ceann Comhairle denies Dáil bar is there for drinking

Seán Barrett says the facility is there to give members somewhere to go when the Dáil is not in session.

CEANN COMHAIRLE SEÁN Barrett says that the perception of the ‘Dáil bar’ is false and that he saw nobody drunk during the abortion debate.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Marian Finuncane programme this morning, the Ceann Comhairle said that it is a ‘members facility’ and is there to give deputies somewhere to go when the Dáil is not in session.

“It’s a place you can go, you can watch the news, you can watch television. You can have your lunch, you can have a snack, you can sit down and read the paper,” he said.

Barrett said that his lengthy experience in the Dáil has allowed him to see how the facility can be used as a way of diffusing tensions between opposing members, stopping a negative atmosphere developing in Leinster House:

I’l tell you one of the best things about it, I’ve been there 30 years.You could have a stand- up row in the chamber, but once they leave that chamber and go there for a cup of coffee or whatever, next thing you see is them in there chatting with each other.

Barrett said that the increased difficulty in getting re-elected has mean that the “day is gone” when members could spend their time drinking in the house.

TheJournal.ie reported earlier this month that nearly €7,000 was spent in the Dáil bars on the night the of the abortion debate, €4,000 of this was spent on alcoholic drinks alone but Barrett said he saw no members drunk before the debate ended at 5am.

“I can put my hand on any bible, I did not see anybody come into the chamber intoxicated. There’s no evidence to show that that was the case. ”

Read: Chief Whip has no regrets over 5am Dáil sitting, says FG could have lost 10 TDs >

Read: Oireachtas bars turned over €300,000 last year >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
92 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen McMahon
    Favourite Stephen McMahon
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 7:25 PM

    Love this NASA stuff. Amazing what we can achieve as a race, just over 100 years since man’s first flight!

    87
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute nialls
    Favourite nialls
    Report
    Nov 19th 2013, 12:10 AM

    Is it there yet?

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eliza Mac
    Favourite Eliza Mac
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 8:06 PM

    I kinda hoped the name MAVEN had something to do with Professor Frink…

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leila Gregory
    Favourite Leila Gregory
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 11:38 PM

    Just in case you’re interested, this rocket was designed by a Irish guy called Robert Lillis. He was in my year in school. It’s an amazing achievement!

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ricky Spanish
    Favourite Ricky Spanish
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 11:55 PM

    I dare say he was part of a team of designers.

    A solo run would be a bit of an ask!

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute tom
    Favourite tom
    Report
    Nov 19th 2013, 4:15 AM

    Who cares about the other guys.
    It’s a Irish guys design the others are just that others

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Clarke
    Favourite Alan Clarke
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 7:18 PM

    I love to see a photo of a Snickers on Mars.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen McMahon
    Favourite Stephen McMahon
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 7:24 PM

    In the Milky Way Galaxy?

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek Hatchell
    Favourite Derek Hatchell
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 8:04 PM

    Whilst eating a star bar

    8
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Dobson
    Favourite Kevin Dobson
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 8:40 PM

    Is it really necessary to refer to it as an “unmanned mission” to Mars? If it was manned, I suspect we’d know about it?

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Russell
    Favourite Jack Russell
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 8:46 PM

    Continuous funny comment killer!

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ricky Spanish
    Favourite Ricky Spanish
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 11:54 PM

    Who let Buzz Killington in?

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sacha Mahady
    Favourite Sacha Mahady
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 11:30 PM

    Maybe the planet got married. That could explain why it got cold and dry.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Horgay H
    Favourite Horgay H
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 7:44 PM

    Hmm, I wonder have they yet again handed over control of the imaging optics over to a private company. It is strange that NASA, albeit being a US Defence agency, which is funded by billions of tax dollars would outsource such a critical aspect of their missions.

    I for one am fascinated by the red planet and would like to know more.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tim O'Sullivan
    Favourite Tim O'Sullivan
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 11:14 PM

    NASA is not a defense agency, their mission is explicitly science based, their funding & command are through non military channels

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Boy
    Favourite John Boy
    Report
    Nov 19th 2013, 12:32 AM

    NASA’ entire budget (800m dollars in 50 years) isn’t anywhere near the annual US defence budget (1 trillion dollars). As said above NASA is purely scientific, research and development. You can thank them for the likes of memory foam, shoe insoles and cordless power tools to name but a few!!

    9
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Boy
    Favourite John Boy
    Report
    Nov 19th 2013, 1:06 AM

    Should read 800bn, I could blame my phone but I won’t!

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jose Verandah
    Favourite Jose Verandah
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 8:23 PM

    Bit of a Mars exploration frenzy going on. India getting in on the act as well. There must be something of value in the geology and potentially extremely profitable to justify the combined expenditure on these missions. Follow the money..

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gary
    Favourite Gary
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 8:30 PM

    It’s great the way India has joined the quest to learn more about mars but I hear the American Indians have a few reservations.

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jose Verandah
    Favourite Jose Verandah
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 9:22 PM

    I was going to write a humorous reply to your reservation joke but it wasn’t Apache on yours. I Hopi we don’t get Siouxed for bad puns. I’ll get my Lakota..

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bluebuster
    Favourite Bluebuster
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 10:26 PM

    can we send enda kenny on this ship to mars lol

    2
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds