Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 4 Feb 2026

Vol. 1080 No. 2

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Tributes to Deputy Head Usher of the Houses of the Oireachtas

An Ceann Comhairle

To take a moment of your time, I want to say a very special "thank you" today to Mick O'Brien. Mick O'Brien has worked here in the Oireachtas for 32 years and today he retires. Mick began his time here as a service officer. He became an usher in 1997 and was promoted to usher team leader and then deputy head usher and office keeper in 2005. In 2016, he became the project facilitator who oversaw the restoration of the historical Leinster House from the Oireachtas side, a task he undertook with great pride.

Mick retires today to spend time with his lovely wife, Lorraine, his daughters, Michelle and Jennifer, and his son, Karl. He also has five grandchildren, who no doubt will keep him very active and busy. Mick is an avid fan of Liverpool Football Club-----

(Interruptions).

An Ceann Comhairle

-----and he is a keen golfer, so there will be lots to do. During his time here, Mick has seen off eight taoisigh, eight Cinn Comhairle and four Presidents who have gone before him.

On behalf of the Members and the staff, I wish Mick a very long and happy retirement but. also, it is actually his birthday today.

Deputies

Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you.

An Ceann Comhairle

Very good. They are not known for their singing ability, Mick.

Before we move to Questions on Policy or Legislation, the Taoiseach would like to say a few words, as would Deputy McDonald and Deputy Carrigy, who requested this on behalf of the committee he represents. We will then move on.

The Taoiseach

Ar dtús báire, gabhaim buíochas le Mick O’Brien as an méid oibre atá déanta aige ar son Thithe an Oireachtais i rith na mblianta. Gan amhras, is duine den scoth é agus tá muid go léir fíorbhuíoch de. I want to congratulate you on everything you have achieved, particularly your work on the historical restoration. You have been a phenomenal officeholder here, in many ways reflecting the outstanding tradition of the usher community, which has made life so meaningful, hospitable and welcoming for all who are elected to Leinster House. I speak as a Taoiseach who you have not seen off.

An Ceann Comhairle

Number nine.

The Taoiseach

I say that with a sense of humour. It is the first time, I think, that I have ever witnessed "Happy birthday" being sung in Dáil Éireann, so you have broken new ground. It appears you were a soccer referee. You would have made a great Ceann Comhairle in another life, clearly. Thank you for everything, and also to Lorraine, Michelle, Jennifer, Karl and the family. Enjoy your retirement. It is well earned and well deserved.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

So, Mick, free at last. Thirty-two years; that is a really good number for you to finish on. We would say that, would we not? I wish you well. You will have lots of time now but I am sure it will be very usefully deployed. Lorraine will have you at home a lot maybe - we will see how that goes - as will your daughters Michelle and Jennifer, your son Karl and your grandchildren. We all collectively, as you can hear, wish you nothing but the very best. We hold nothing for you in our hearts other than immense gratitude for your hard work, your courtesy, your sense of fun, but above all, your service to this institution and to all of us who have been elected here. Good luck and enjoy.

An Ceann Comhairle

In the interests of fairness, please, Deputy Bacik, very briefly.

Deputy Ivana Bacik

Very briefly, and I appreciate that a Cheann Comhairle. On behalf of the Labour Party, I want to express our sincere thanks to you, Mick, for all of the immense work and all the great service you have given. We wish you the very best of luck for the future and wish your family all the very best of luck too. Go raibh maith agat.

Deputy Holly Cairns

I will be brief. On behalf of the Social Democrats, I want to thank you for all of your work and wish you a really happy retirement.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

I thank Mick on behalf of People Before Profit and the Independents and Parties Technical Group for an amazing 32 years. This place would not be able to function without the hard work that you have done, and all of the ushers here, who are the unsung heroes of this place. Thanks for everything and enjoy your retirement. Enjoy the football, the golf or whatever it is you are going to be at.

Deputy Micheál Carrigy

On behalf of the members of the all-party committee on autism, I sincerely thank Mick for all his work over the last number of years in making Leinster House an autism-friendly Parliament and a Parliament that welcomes people of all disabilities and none. He did a huge amount of work with Roisin Deery over the years to make this Parliament what it is, a Parliament with the highest standards in the world. The person always came first in anything Mick did. It is a pleasure to have got to know you over the last number of years. I thank you for all your good work. Enjoy your retirement.

An Ceann Comhairle

Again, thank you so much on behalf of all the Members and staff, and happy retirement. Thank you very much. Take care.

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• Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation