Take a seat at the table, Conor Sheehan: Dáil day for new TD

FOR SIX TDs in Limerick, returning to Dáil Éireann is a routine procedure, despite it being just one week before Christmas.

There is one newly-elected Labour TD, however, taking a seat in Leinster House for the first time.

Conor Sheehan says it is “exciting and nerve-racking”, as he divulged his thoughts and what he anticipates for day one in the 34th Dáil on Wednesday, December 18.

“I have a mixture of nerves and excitement. Obviously it’s very daunting because it’s an enormous honour and it is a huge responsibility,” he said.

“I’m just very conscious of making sure that all the people who voted for me feel like their vote was well cast and that I do myself to represent them well.

“I’m really looking forward to having the opportunity to represent Limerick in Dáil Éireann.”

READ MORE: Chairman of Limerick soccer club to take Conor Sheehan's council seat

Additionally, Deputy Sheehan is the latest in a long line of Labour TDs including Mick Lipper, Jan O’Sullivan, Steve Coughlan and the late, great Jim Kemmy.

Ms O’Sullivan stepped down in 2020 and there was a one-term hiatus for the party until now, where Conor will once again represent the party in Government for the next four years.

Saying that his former party colleague Ms O’Sullivan gave him “loads of advice over the years”, Deputy Sheehan says the best yet was “make sure to listen, learn and always be unafraid to speak your mind”.

“I love Limerick, this is a great city, and while there are issues in Limerick such as housing, health and lack of adequate addiction services, I want to use my voice and my new position to be a positive and constructive voice for Limerick, but to be, also, a forceful voice,” he said.

“I want the best for this place and for everyone who lives here and I will not accept second best.

“We have the first sitting on Wednesday but we don’t anticipate that a Taoiseach will be elected or a government will be formed.

“Our first business is to elect the ceann comhairle, and that will be interesting because it will be my first time doing so, and that’s something to be done by secret ballot.”

He has been appointed as the party’s deputy Dáil whip and is one of 11 Labour politicians to take a seat in the 34th Dáil.

He said that it has been a “whirlwind” experience and trading his council seat for his one in Leinster House has been no easy task.

“It’s been a whirlwind, there’s so much practical stuff to be done.

“I’ve to hire staff, find an office, hand back my IT equipment from the Council and collect my IT equipment from the Oireachtas, move my emails over and reply to everyone!

“It has been fairly full on, but this entire year has. It’s not a departure that I’m used to. Between local, mayoral and general election, I was literally canvassing since the first half of 2023.”

Bringing his 88-year-old grandfather Jerry along with him for his first Dáil appearance, as well as his parents and one of his sisters, Deputy Sheehan said it will be a poignant moment for the family.

“I think it’s a really special day for him [Jerry]. My grandad came from Smiths Row, off Cathedral Place, and he had a hard upbringing - his mum died when he was only five.

“I’d say he never thought in a million years that one of his descendants would end up in Leinster House, so he’s really looking forward to it as well!”