First-time TDs ‘frustrated’ by the workload

A study of first-time TDs has found that despite huge initial enthusiasm for their role, the 84 new deputies that entered the Dáil in 2011 believe their talents aren’t being used and are frustrated by their inability to exercise influence on policy.

During their first year in the job, new TDs admitted to feeling overwhelmed by the breadth of their role, yet were often unsure of what exactly this role was.

And even though many had experience of local politics and the Seanad, many TDs were taken aback by the high demands of the job, especially the difficulties in managing their time.

Nearly half said in an initial survey they weren’t happy with the sitting hours, including the recently introduced once-a-month Friday sittings. One TD told the author “you give up your personal life.”

The new TDs believed their hopes of instigating change were undermined by the way the Dáil is set up, by the dominance of the Cabinet and the power of political parties in comparison to independents.

It revealed constituency work poses a serious challenge for the new TD, with TDs still spending 40% of their working week on constituency work when the Dáil is in session. Aside from following up on individual constituent issues, they also need to attend public meetings, funerals, openings, matches, and for the rural TDs this could mean up to 10 hours a week in transit on top of the minimum 60 hours a week they spend on other TD business.

Many new TDs were “frustrated” by the volume of this constituency workload, having problems managing time between Dáil and constituency work. Yet, they know that to get re-elected this work is vital but according to the author some “may instinctively feel that their time and energy may be better spent on other duties.” However, TDs have admitted they get a sense of achievement from constituency work.

Opposition TDs were also shocked at how their amendments are ignored and how constrained they were by the power of the government parties.

Committees were welcomed by many as it was a way to influence policy, but others complained that they were on up to three committees and with all their other work did not believe they had sufficient time to allocate to each role.

High amounts of correspondence that require response, the need to set up and staff constituency offices and the sudden onset of daunting opposition spokesman roles in smaller parties all increased pressure on the incumbents with some “left overwhelmed, inundated and even beleaguered,” according to the study of first-time TDs by Dr Mary Murphy from UCC’s Department of Government .

The TDs suggested that as part of their induction training, new TDs should have more training on how the legislative process works, on Dáil procedures and how to deal with the media. They would like former and existing TDs to act as mentors for them.

However, despite their rocky start, up to 82% of the new TDs want to make Dáil politics their long-term career.

They said the quality of debate should be improved in the Dáil so individuals aren’t attacked and that backbenchers should have more speaking rights. Many of the new TDs were shocked at having to speak in a near-empty Chamber at times.

Many of the independents and Sinn Féin deputies were also struck at how formal their workplace was and how “archaic and outdated” it was, with a huge emphasis on ceremony.