Mick O’Brien, a stalwart of the Oireachtas staff for the last 32 years, shakes hands with Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy in the Dáil on Wednesday. Some might say that they just managed a few bars, but all the TDs were perfectly sober at the time. Not only, said the Ceann, was Mick retiring “but also, it’s actually his birthday today”. Just in case anyone might think Mick had been bumping off the highest office holders in the land in between supervising renovations and arranging special access for visiting groups with additional needs. “Thank you, Ceann Comhairle.

Source: The Irish Times February 05, 2026 13:02 UTC