O’Hanlon tells of his lonely life ‘refereeing’ the Dáil

DÁIL Ceann Comhairle Rory O’Hanlon has spoken for the first time of the loneliness and isolation of his position.

In a rare but revealing interview with RTÉ’s The Week in Politics yesterday, Mr O’Hanlon said his job as the Dáil’s “referee” meant a lonely existence in which he is unable to partake in the normal thrust of political discourse with colleagues of all parties.

In order to avoid accusations or perceptions of bias, Mr O’Hanoln revealed he eats alone and rarely frequents the Dáil bar.