{"id":4407,"date":"2025-08-17T07:41:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-17T07:41:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/4407\/"},"modified":"2025-08-17T07:41:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-17T07:41:09","slug":"dail-clerk-job-up-for-grabs-with-a-salary-of-just-under-e250000-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/4407\/","title":{"rendered":"D\u00e1il clerk job up for grabs with a salary of just under \u20ac250,000 \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

A change is coming in Leinster House with applications this week closing for the position of clerk of D\u00e1il \u00c9ireann<\/a>, the most senior role in the Oireachtas. <\/p>\n

A successor to Peter Finnegan, who was formally appointed in early 2016 after acting as clerk for more than a year<\/a>, is being sought. The clerk is the chief procedural adviser to the Ceann Comhairle, the D\u00e1il\u2019s chairperson, and to other members of the House. <\/p>\n

For outsiders, it\u2019s a job that generally goes under the radar, other than when TDs and senators kick up about procedural matters or when the clerk is brought before a committee amid controversy<\/a> such as over the purchase of an \u20ac850,000 printer that couldn\u2019t fit into the building. <\/p>\n

\"TheThe Komori printer purchased for the Houses of the Oireachtas was too big for its designated room so remedial works had to take place. Photograph: RT\u00c9 News. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe Clerk has a number of statutory functions which recognise the impartial and non-political nature of their office, including functions under the Electoral Acts and the Ethics in Public Office Acts,\u201d according to the job advert.<\/p>\n

Finnegan was earlier this year drawn into the speaking rights dispute, which effectively centred on Government-supporting Independent TDs seeking to be treated as Opposition deputies. This delayed the business of the 34th D\u00e1il for weeks and saw Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy<\/a> survive a confidence vote over her handling of the issue<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\"TheThe clerk of D\u00e1il \u00c9ireann, Peter Finnegan, arriving at Leinster House. Photograph: Sam Boal\/Collins <\/p>\n

The clerk published a report which concluded Murphy had complied with proper procedures when deeming the changes to the D\u00e1il rules had been carried, without putting it to a vote. <\/p>\n

If overseeing a crowd of needy TDs doesn\u2019t sound like your idea of a plum job, there is at least the salary. The role comes with an attractive annual pay packet, set at secretary general level, of \u20ac247,985.<\/p>\n

Tourism bosses see upside of Norman invasion<\/p>\n

Plans to celebrate Ireland\u2019s Norman heritage<\/a> as part of a 2027 Europe-wide initiative were met with some opposition on their announcement earlier this summer by Minister for Heritage James Browne<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sinn F\u00e9in<\/a> TD Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh<\/a> noted that \u201conly a short time has passed since Fine Gael<\/a> tried to commemorate the Black and Tans<\/a>, and now Fianna F\u00e1il<\/a> is trying to go further by dedicating an entire year in celebration of 1,000 years since the birth of William the Conqueror\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"SinnSinn F\u00e9in spokesman on Gaeilge Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh was critical of Government plans to mark the 1,000th anniversary of the Normans. Photograph: Bryan O\u2019Brien <\/p>\n

The Normans departed Normandy, France, and conquered England in 1066 before Strongbow and co landed at Bannow Bay in Co Wexford a century later<\/a> to help Dermot McMurrough recover the kingdom of Leinster. <\/p>\n

Their arrival set in train 850 years of Irish oppression but left some marks in terms of architecture and even surnames \u2013 with Burkes, Joyces, Powers, Walshes and Lynchs having been fixtures here for so long that many assume they are native. <\/p>\n

\"TheThe Marriage of Strongbow and Aoife, from 1854, by Daniel Maclise. Photograph: National Gallery of Ireland <\/p>\n

Minister for Tourism Peter Burke<\/a> has told Wicklow-Wexford TD Malcolm Byrne<\/a> that planning for \u2018The Year of the Normans\u2019 celebrations continues. He said Tourism Ireland<\/a> recently met counterparts from Normandy and stands \u201cready to play its part to maximise any opportunities that may arise to grow tourism from France\u201d.<\/p>\n

F\u00e1ilte Ireland<\/a> said it is working with Wexford County Council<\/a> on the \u201cWexfordia\u201d project, which will see \u20ac10.76 million invested in three areas \u2013 a Norman Experience in New Ross, the refurbishment of the town\u2019s Dunbrody Famine Ship; and on \u201ccompelling tourism experiences\u201d at Hook Lighthouse and the Irish National Heritage Park.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Dunbrody Famine Ship in New Ross. <\/p>\n

Whatever about the tourism potential from an invasion of Norman ancestors, \u00d3 Snodaigh is unimpressed at the optics. \u201cWhat will they think of next? A Festival of Cromwell? A Famine Queen Jubilee?\u201d<\/p>\n

Co Kerry community gets to knows its onion (baskets)<\/p>\n

Cromwell and the Black and Tans do not feature on the programme for National Heritage Week, which kicks off this Saturday under the theme \u2018Exploring Our Foundations\u2019. <\/p>\n

Organised by the Heritage Council<\/a>, it invites members of the public \u201cto delve into the building blocks of our heritage; not just the structures, but the landscapes and cultural activities that have shaped us\u201d. <\/p>\n

\"TheThe Fingal Mummers at the launch of National Heritage Week, which takes place from August 16th to 24th. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw <\/p>\n

More than 2,000 events are due to take place across the State, with one taking place in Co Kerry<\/a> on Monday catching the eye during a scan of the programme: the Maharees\/Castlegregory Onion Basket Revival.<\/p>\n

These willow baskets, organisers say, were used in the harvesting of onions and potatoes but were lost over the decades during the shift from natural to man-made materials. <\/p>\n

\"TheThe Maharees\/Castlegregory Onion Basket Revival project sought to re-create a once integral part of community life in the area. Photograph: Heritage Week <\/p>\n

\u201cAn archival photograph and descriptions from community elders formed the basis for a demonstration model,\u201d according to the blurb. \u201cA two-day workshop followed in which basket maker Diane Southey imparted the onion-basket-making skills to a group of community members. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe baskets and their stories have inspired much conversation and nostalgia about times past and we hope to continue this with a panel discussion on the history of the baskets and this basket project.\u201d <\/p>\n

Other Heritage Week events include an \u2018Astrophotography with Your Smartphone\u2019 workshop in Connemara National Park, a \u2018Rewild Your Child\u2019 event in Monasterevin, and a \u2018Make Prehistoric Pottery\u2019 class in Castlebar. <\/p>\n

Flatley lets flute do the talking amid \u00c1ras speculation<\/p>\n

A symbolic baton was passed on Wexford town\u2019s quayside last Sunday. A wooden harp was presented to lord mayor of Belfast<\/a> Tracy Kelly to mark the beginning of the city\u2019s stint as host of Fleadh Cheoil na h\u00c9ireann<\/a> 2026.<\/p>\n

\"MembersMembers of the O’Donoghue dance school from Ballycanew, Co Wexford entertaining the crowds in Wexford town centre during Fleadh Cheoil na h\u00c9ireann. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw <\/p>\n

The fleadh is said to have brought more than 1.4 million people to Wexford, and to have generated tens of millions for the economy, during its two-year southeast run. Had the visit of Ed Sheeran<\/a> been less of a secret it could have brought in even more. The Wexford People estimated, perhaps conservatively, that 900,000 pints were sold during this year\u2019s event which, at a loose average of \u20ac7 each, would have generated some \u20ac6.3 million.<\/p>\n

Kelly, a DUP<\/a> councillor, said Wexford would \u201cprove a very hard act to follow\u201d but Belfast was \u201cdelighted\u201d to be selected by organising body Comhaltas Ceolt\u00f3ir\u00ed \u00c9ireann<\/a> to take on hosting duties. <\/p>\n

\u201cLet the countdown begin,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

\"LordLord mayor of Belfast Tracy Kelly (second right) was presented with a \u2018Fleadh harp\u2019 by mayor of Wexford Garry Laffan. Photograph: Belfast City Council <\/p>\n

A different countdown is on for others who visited Wexford and have intentions around the passing of a less symbolic baton \u2013 the keys to Ar\u00e1s an Uachtar\u00e1in<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Michael D Higgins<\/a>, whose 14 years as President are nearly up, opened the fleadh with a speech about the Irish language and culture, but he later told reporters he felt compelled to speak about the \u201cincredible destruction of an entire people\u201d in Gaza<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Seeking to succeed him is Catherine Connolly<\/a>. Confirmed as a candidate for the race, she posted a photograph on X from outside the town\u2019s Premier chipper with a busking young banjo player. <\/p>\n

\"IndependentIndependent TD and presidential candidate Catherine Connolly in Wexford during Fleadh Cheoil na h\u00c9ireann. Photograph: X <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m inspired by the creativity of our musicians, especially our young people, and delighted to see them carrying forward our proud musical traditions,\u201d the Galway West TD said, sounding somewhat like Higgins already. <\/p>\n

Former Riverdance star Michael Flatley<\/a>, who has told the High Court but few others of his intention<\/a> to seek a nomination, was also in town. He stopped for photographs but had little to add when asked about his presidential ambitions. Flatley later put on a solo flute performance on a stage on Wexford\u2019s quay.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A change is coming in Leinster House with applications this week closing for the position of clerk of…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4408,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[4769,663,9,10,1921,4777,4767,4776,18,4774,13,14,4771,553,4248,6,4779,19,17,4770,11,12,15,16,1874,4778,5,4766,4772,59,47,7,8,4775,4768,2451,4773],"class_list":{"0":"post-4407","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ireland","8":"tag-aengus-o-snodaigh","9":"tag-belfast","10":"tag-breaking-news","11":"tag-breakingnews","12":"tag-catherine-connolly","13":"tag-comhaltas-ceoltoiri-eireann","14":"tag-dail-eireann","15":"tag-dup-links","16":"tag-eire","17":"tag-failte-ireland","18":"tag-featured-news","19":"tag-featurednews","20":"tag-fianna-fail","21":"tag-fine-gael","22":"tag-fleadh-cheoil-na-heireann","23":"tag-headlines","24":"tag-heritage-council","25":"tag-ie","26":"tag-ireland","27":"tag-james-browne","28":"tag-latest-news","29":"tag-latestnews","30":"tag-main-news","31":"tag-mainnews","32":"tag-michael-d-higgins","33":"tag-michael-flatley","34":"tag-news","35":"tag-oireachtas","36":"tag-peter-burke","37":"tag-presidential-election","38":"tag-sinn-fein","39":"tag-top-stories","40":"tag-topstories","41":"tag-tourism-ireland","42":"tag-verona-murphy","43":"tag-wexford","44":"tag-wexford-county-council"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4407","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4407"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4407\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4408"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4407"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4407"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}