‘Too many teachers in the Dáil’: Are they the most represented profession in the chamber?

Teachers have long been a fixture of the Irish political landscape – in the fledgling days of the last Dáil, about 12 per cent of newly elected TDs were either former teachers or principals.
Teachers have been a constant at all levels, most recently from Enda Kenny and Micheál Martin as taoisigh along with numerous government ministers and backbenchers.
Their continuous presence in Leinster House, and their ability to reach the highest levels of power, would appear to undermine the view of Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary that he could not rely on them to “get things done”.
Noting at the outset of the current Dáil in 2020 that no fewer than 19 TDs had backgrounds as educators, Paul Byrne, then deputy director of the National Association for Principals and Deputy Principals, said they were among the most represented profession in the chamber.
“Teachers need to be able to lead and motivate people, make fine judgment calls, make use of very limited resources, implement policy changes and meet the varying needs of students, parents and communities in a constantly evolving society,” he said.
Teaching professionals are well placed to enter politics – often well known in their communities, they can also avail of generous career breaks to pursue success at the polls.
[ Michael O’Leary doubles down on teacher comments after ‘pile on’, saying he was making ‘serious’ pointOpens in new window ]
In the aftermath of Mr O’Leary’s incendiary comments, Norma Foley, Fianna Fáil’s outgoing Minister for Education who is herself on such a career break from teaching, said Ireland held a “strong and proud tradition” of valuing its teachers.
“Enormous contributions have been made to the world of Irish politics by teachers in education, including former taoisigh, a president of Ireland and leaders of the 1916 Rising,” she told The Irish Times.
Ms Foley said she was “disheartened and disappointed” at the “narrow view” expressed by the Ryanair boss.
There are other well-represented professions and jobs among TDs, notably landlords, farmers and legal professionals.
But teachers were notable among those in outgoing Taoiseach Simon Harris’s reshuffle, with Patrick O’Donovan and Hildegarde Naughton promoted. Other current TDs with backgrounds in teaching include Róisín Shortall, Cathal Crowe and Marian Harkin.
And long before Ms Foley, many filled the role of education minister with Noel Dempsey, Mary Hanafin and Mary O’Rourke among them.
However, Mr O’Leary’s position was not for changing. On Monday he said that with the country facing enormous challenges ahead, “excellent education in the classroom” is needed but “a striking surplus of teachers in the Dáil is not necessarily one that’s going to get things done”.