Real world intrudes on the Dáil... briefly

For a brief period yesterday the real world intruded on the 32nd Dáil, writes Michael Clifford

At 10.35am, acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny expressed condolences to the families bereaved in the wake of the Buncrana drownings, and those who had suffered as a result of the Brussels bombings. “It puts things into perspective and context,” he concluded.

He was followed by the other party leaders and a few independent TDs. The feelings expressed were genuine and heartfelt. When the last of those sentiments were voiced, everybody quickly popped back into the bubble. The following half hour provided a window into the kind of political culture that is unlikely to just float away on a resolution to reform the Dáil.