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In the Republic of Ireland, the term Father of the Dáil is an unofficial title applied to the current member of Dáil Éireann with the longest unbroken period of service, regardless of their position. The 'Father' has no official role in the business of the House as the title is largely honorific.
The current Father of the Dáil is the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, Séamus Pattison, Labour Teachta Dála for Carlow-Kilkenny, who was first elected in the 1961 general election. Pattison, however, has indicated that he intends to retire at the next general election, expected in 2007, which means that a new incumbent will hold the title. There are no other TDs with continuous service since the 1960s which means that following the retirement of Pattison, TDs with continuous service from the 1970s will become eligible to be Father of the Dáil. As such, Enda Kenny, the current leader of the opposition, will (pending re-election) become the Father of the Dáil, having first been elected on November 12, 1975.
On a number of occasions two or more people have held the position of Father of the Dáil.
[edit] Recent Fathers of the Dáil
|
Name |
Took Office |
Left Office |
Party |
Period began |
|
Frank Fahy |
February 4, 1948 |
July 14, 1953 |
Fianna Fáil |
1918 election |
|
Éamon de Valera |
February 4, 1948 |
June 23, 1959 |
Fianna Fáil |
1918 election |
|
Gerald Boland |
June 23, 1959 |
October 4, 1961 |
Fianna Fáil |
1923 election |
|
Dr. James Ryan |
June 23, 1959 |
April 7, 1965 |
Fianna Fáil |
1923 election |
|
Patrick McGilligan |
June 23, 1959 |
April 7, 1965 |
Fine Gael |
1923 election |
|
James Everett |
June 23, 1959 |
December 18, 1967 |
Labour |
1923 election |
|
Thomas McEllistrim |
June 23, 1959 |
June 18, 1969 |
Fianna Fáil |
1923 election |
|
Frank Aiken |
June 23, 1959 |
February 28, 1973 |
Fianna Fáil |
1923 election |
|
Paddy Smith |
June 23, 1959 |
July 5, 1977 |
Fianna Fáil |
1923 election |
|
Liam Cosgrave |
July 5, 1977 |
June 11, 1981 |
Fine Gael |
1943 election |
|
Dan Spring |
July 5, 1977 |
June 11, 1981 |
Labour |
1943 election |
|
Oliver J. Flanagan |
July 5, 1977 |
February 17, 1987 |
Fine Gael |
1943 election |
|
Neil Blaney |
February 17, 1987 |
November 8, 1995 |
Independent Fianna Fáil |
Dec 1948 by-election |
|
Paddy Harte |
November 8, 1995 |
June 6, 1997 |
Fine Gael |
1961 election |
|
Seán Treacy |
November 8, 1995 |
June 6, 1997 |
Labour |
1961 election |
|
Séamus Pattison |
November 8, 1995 |
Incumbent |
Labour |
1961 election |
[edit] See also
