Figures released by KildareStreet.com have shown who Ireland’s most vocal TDs are in the Dáil.
The survey records each time a TD makes a speech, which excludes heckling unless the TD makes a point.
According to the survey, the average amount of speeches delivered by the 158 TDs in the Dáil is 85 each.
Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher was recorded speaking 495 times, but as Leas-Ceann Comhairle not all of these instances were speeches. Similarly the Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, was recorded as speaking 583 times, but with the duty of maintaining order within the Dáil not all of these were speeches.
Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD spoke 154 times on Dáil record, followed by Independent TD Thomas Pringle, who addressed the Dáil 133 times.
Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD spoke 65 times on the record.
Government Chief Whip and Minister for Gaeilge, the Gaeltacht and the Islands Joe McHugh (Fine Gael), who spent most of the year as Minister of State for Diaspora, spoke 17 times.
For TDs representing South Donegal and Sligo/Leitrim, Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny contributed the most, speaking 116 times, followed by Fine Gael TD Tony McLoughlin who spoke 71 times.
Fianna Fáil TD Marc MacSharry made 52 speeches, with Fianna Fáil TD Eamon Scanlon speaking slightly less with 48 times recorded.
Nationally, Independent TD Mattie McGrath who represents Tipperary, was the most vocal TD, speaking 270 times. Slightly shyer TDs included Waterford Fine Gael TD John Deasy, who spoke just 11 times.
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