TD to return to Dáil after illness

FIANNA FÁIL TD Seán Ardagh is undergoing “very positive” treatment for illness and hopes to return to work in time for the next Dáil session, a political colleague has said.

Mr Ardagh is chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution, which published a review of the Dáil electoral system yesterday.

Committee vice-chair, Fine Gael TD Jim O’Keeffe, presided over the launch in Mr Ardagh’s absence.

Mr O’Keeffe sent his best wishes to Mr Ardagh, whom he said had been in regular contact with the committee as it finalised its work.

“He has been ill for some time,” Mr O’Keeffe said of Mr Ardagh. “(But) I’m also very glad to confirm that the treatment he is undergoing is very positive.”

Mr O’Keeffe said Mr Ardagh hoped to be back at work in time for the resumption of the Dáil on September 29.

It’s understood Mr Ardagh’s absence did not affect the Government in recent Dáil votes as he received a “pair” from Fine Gael.

This is the system whereby a Government TD, unable to be present in the Dáil, is paired with a Fine Gael TD who then abstains from voting in the interests of fairness.