Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Can I make a point, which I also made here last week? I am not speaking on behalf of politicians but on behalf of every usher and every other member of the staff. I am speaking for those workers who have been informed that the Dáil has to sit until 1 a.m. When the sitting adjourns at 1 a.m. in the convention centre the workers here will have to stay on for at least an hour and a half, bringing us up to 2.30 a.m., and they will be expected to be in here again tomorrow morning. On behalf of the ladies and gentlemen who have served this House with distinction over the years, I advise the Chief Whip that I think that is wrong. I am not fighting about this but I want to put on the record on the workers' behalf that they are not happy. I am airing their views. I am sure everybody would agree it is not right to say to workers at 2.30 a.m. tomorrow that they can go home but they will be expected to be in again tomorrow morning at 8 a.m., 8.30 a.m. or 9 a.m. That is wrong.

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