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.

“I have to disassociate myself totally from party politics which would mean that I live very much on my own in Leinster House,” he said.

But the 71-year-old, who is entitled to an automatic Dáil seat after the next general election, said he is not retiring from politics and is looking forward to returning to the bread and butter of constituency work.

“I still think I have a lot to offer,” he said.

He rejected the notion that he may be asked to step aside for political reasons, saying the only way out of his constitutional position was resignation, impeachment or death - all options he was not intending to follow.

On the question of age he is adamant that 71 is not too old to embark on another Dáil term.

“It’s helpful to have a mix. There is a place for youth, a place for better gender balance, which we don’t have, and a place for the wisdom of the older age group,” he said.

However, Mr O’Hanlon was diplomatic on his thorny relationship with some Dáil deputies.

Famously, he has had a difficult relationship with Labour leader Pat Rabbitte resulting in quite a few verbal showdowns.

However, yesterday he sought to play down the fractious nature of the relationship.

“No I wouldn’t say that. I don’t take that personally. Pat Rabbitte has a job to do. He does it his way. I have a job to do ... and I don’t see it as anything personal.”