Mary Lou McDonald got an unexpected promotion on her return to the Dail this afternoon when she was accidentally referred to as "Taoiseach".
The Dail returned after the summer break today and while the Government will get down to ironing out the finer details of the Budget, TDs enjoyed a lighter moment when Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl made the amusing gaffe. Starting off Leader's Questions, Ó Fearghaíl initially called: "Taoiseach, please".
But Opposition Leader, Deputy McDonald, was actually due to speak first. The Ceann Comhairle quickly realised his mistake as the chamber erupted with laughter.
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Clondalkin TD Eoin Ó Broin, who was sat beside Ms McDonald joked, "you got it right", while Mr Ó Fearghaíl quipped back: "I'm definitely out of practice." Referencing the well-known theory about a error revealing someone's actual feelings, Deputy Ó Broin shot back: "Freud would be delighted."
The Sinn Fein leader took it all in her stride and beamed she told Ceann Comhairle she was "touched" by the title he had bestowed upon her. She said: "Can I thank you for that unparalleled vote of confidence, Ceann Comhairle. I'm very touched."
The first day back in the Dail saw hundreds of protesters gather outside Leinster House with many demanding action on the soaring cost of living. There were also demonstrations calling for hare coursing to be banned while a Dublin group were protesting over a lack of services for children with autism and disabilities.
Cllr Tania Doyle joined mum-of-four Lesley Anne O'Brien and other parents who are calling for more supports to be put in place for children with disabilities in Dublin 15. Lesley Anne told Dublin Live: "We are back again for the first day the Government is here after recess. We want to hit them for the lack of services for children, we've done this so many times - we started in 2018.
"It's worse than ever before, worse than the last time we were here. We have a meeting with the Minister for Children today, myself and Cllr Tania Doyle are going to get stuck in."
Lesley Anne blasted previous "empty promises" that have been made on the issue, adding: "Enough is enough. Our children have to be heard and action needs to happen today. We need a Covid approach to this crisis and we want some sort of answers."
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