Paul Hosford: Business as usual in the Dáil, for most people, that is

No festive feeling in the air as the summer is officially put to bed

Presidential Candidate Catherine Connolly leaving Leinster House, to speak to a small group of Palestine Solidarity protesters. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins Photos

One of the lesser-known traditions in Irish political life centres on, of all things, turkey and ham.

For some time now, on big days in the Dáil — first sittings, elections of taoisigh, the budget, the month of December, that kind of thing — the Leinster House canteen will offer up, among other things, a full turkey and ham dinner.