Unelected TDs begin to clear out offices

The big clear-out of Leinster House has begun after the public voted for a spring clean of TDs and ministers.

There were tears and hugs as those who failed to retain their seats began moving boxes, files, and personal mementos out of their offices yesterday.

Although no official deadline is put on when unelected TDs must vacate their offices, the Houses of the Oireachtas have already begun contacting those who have lost their seats so they can reassign their desks to those entering the Dáil for the first time.

And it is not just the individuals themselves who have suffered, the outgoing government parties are set to lose around €3m in state funding as a result of dropping so many seats.

Sinn Fein and Fianna Fáil, who have increased their numbers in the Dáil, will receive increased funding.

But those who have lost their seats will receive a termination lump sum and payments which equate to around €15,000 for a TD and more for a minister. On top of the lump sum, they are also entitled to maximum of 12 monthly termination payments, the value of which depends on the length of time served in Leinster House. These payments are separate to the Houses of the Oireachtas Members pension.

It was an emotional day yesterday as a number of ministers who failed to retain their seats returned to Leinster House. Labour’s Kathleen Lynch was hugged by the Dáil canteen staff.

The junior minister at the Department of Health said she would now have time to go on a long holiday with her husband. “It’s not as bad when you can see it coming,” said the former Cork North Central TD.

Another failed Labour candidate and junior minister, Kevin Humphreys, said: “I’ll have to stay around Leinster House for the next couple of weeks while they form a government. That’s the hardest part. We are all shattered,” he said.

It was an honour to serve the people of Dublin Bay South for the last 5 years, and thank you to all those who voted for me last week

— Kevin Humphreys (@KHumphreysDBS) March 1, 2016

Meanwhile, junior minister for rural affairs Ann Phelan, who was knocked out of the race in Carlow-Kilkenny, removed a number of items from her office including a pair of wellingtons.

Lucinda Creighton, whose Renua party failed to get a single candidate elected, was also wandering around the corridors of Leinster House yesterday with a colleague who helped take items from her office.

A spokeswoman for the Houses of the Oireachtas said there is no official date for former TDs to leave their offices, but they have been contacting members to sort this out. “We have to accommodate new TDs,” she said. “All in all the process may take up to two weeks but it may take days for others to leave their offices.

“We would be aware of the sensitivity of a member losing their seat and we would try to accommodate them. This week would be a very busy week with members who have lost their seat coming in to clear out their offices and new members coming in.”

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