Where does a particular TD know where to sit?

MaceFace

All the new faces going in and out of Dail Eireann this week has shown that many of them haven't got the slightest idea of what to do now they are elected (MMOC driving down the plinth, Wallace looking like he's going on the batter)

Does anyone know how the seating is assigned?
I assume the parties get a block based on how big they are, closer to the front the bigger the party.
What about the new Indos that are going to save the world? Are they told exactly where to sit?

I actually look forward to see the likes of Flanagan be ready for a rousing speech tomorrow and waiting to get "his turn" only to be left disappointed when Kenny breaks the Dail until next week. That should (unfortunately) set his expectations for the coming 5 years.

Permabear

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Victor

I think there is assigned seating, but sometimes members of one party will swap seats between them.

Parties sit together in blocks and whether you get a front row seat depends on how big your party is. Within a party, the front rows are reserved for more senior members.

The two largest parties normally face each other, but unlikely in this case. The Taoiseach would be next to the Ceann Comhairle and opposite the leader of the opposition.

http://whositswhere.info/

Lapin

Permabear wrote: »

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Micheál Martin no ?

Raging_Ninja

Lapin wrote: »

Micheál Martin no ?

Martin is not a government minister. Lenihan is, and as such is the senior cabinet minister who is also a sitting TD, at least until a new government is chosen.

Gunmonkey

I think Lenihan is the highest ranking member of the outgoing Gov with Cowen gone, its not a seat for the leader of the Gov's party so Martin has to sit where he was before.

BOHtox

Permabear wrote: »

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPfFX8Ph4-k

BOHtox

as a matter of interest, how many seats is there in the dail chamber?
I know there's 166 tds but is there more seats than tds or what?

Victor

I did some playing around with the seating layout. Image from here: http://www.boards.ie/vote/

The main leaders are likely to keep a second (or more) vacant seats near them for second speakers and TDs giving advise on a particular matter.

They probably don't like using the seats 'behind' the Ceann Comhairle, but I suspect its needed in FG's case, so that the Labour leadership can sit near, but not with the FG leadership.

Lapin wrote: »

Micheál Martin no ?

I suspect protocol says it follows a particular order.

Taoiseach (didn't run)
Tanaiste (not elected)
Finance (only other constitutional officer)
Other minister
Other TD <

---

Martin is here.

later12

Victor wrote: »

I did some playing around with the seating layout. Image from here: http://www.boards.ie/vote/

Very interesting to see that a number of Labour deputies will be facing the fine Gael members in the house, almost, at least in terms of seating, in opposition.

Biggins

MaceFace wrote: »

Where does a particular TD know where to sit?

That question is answered partly here here: http://www.thejournal.ie/the-change-of-power-how-tomorrows-dail-proceedings-will-work-2011-03/?utm_source=shortlink

And here: http://www.thejournal.ie/musical-chairs-in-the-dail-to-squeeze-in-coalition-partners-2011-03/

* Who sits where: http://whositswhere.info/

* http://gavreilly.com/2010/07/05/seating-plan-for-dail-eireann/

* http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0302/1224291140919.html

In short: there is someone/small body from the Dail who gets to decide where everyone sits.

Sierra Oscar

Victor wrote: »

They probably don't like using the seats 'behind' the Ceann Comhairle, but I suspect its needed in FG's case, so that the Labour leadership can sit near, but not with the FG leadership.

The seats behind the CC (on the government side) are for members of the press, if I recall correctly.

Great atmosphere in Leinster House this afternoon as the new deputies settle down in their new found offices and the like.

Victor

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

The seats behind the CC (on the government side) are for members of the press, if I recall correctly.

I mean behind at the same level, not the ones above him in the press gallery