CLARE TD Violet-Anne Wynne made history last night when she became the first woman to bring a baby into the Dail chamber.
The Independent TD and young Collins Mountaine, aged seven months, were greeted with a sustained round of applause from fellow members on Wednesday evening.
Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghaill quipped that it was the first time there had been “an actual” baby in the Dail.
Deputy Wynne was present for the weekly voting blocks and given that the Dail creche closed at 6.15, she felt she had no other option than to bring Collins in with her to the Chamber.
'History' was made in the Dáil when Clare TD Violet-Anne Wynne brought her 7-month old daughter Collins into the chamber.
Ceann Comhairle Séan Ó Fearghaíl commented that it was the first time an 'actual' baby was in the Dáil pic.twitter.com/awD4CZWJTs
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) September 21, 2022
She told the Irish Examiner, “It’s a learning curve, but it’s very positive. I can’t get over the welcome I’ve received. I’ve brought Collins to Budget briefings and people have been really positive towards her and are telling me that it’s very welcome to see.
“I wasn’t sure if Collins was going to be allowed into the chamber. The creche closes at 6.15 but your vote is so important, so I had no other option.
“I did get her to sleep going in but the bell woke her for the second vote. The ushers were fantastic and did everything they could to help me,” she said.
A little bit of history in the Dáil chamber tonight. Fellow Clare TD @WynneTd has returned from her maternity leave and brought her beautiful little baby, Collins, into the chamber. We think Collins might just be the first ever baby (or, in the words of the Ceann Comhairle… pic.twitter.com/8ycTQbOGoQ
— Cathal Crowe T.D. (@CathalCroweTD) September 21, 2022
“I hadn’t planned on having Collins here with me, but when I came up one night last week, nobody got any sleep because I’m combined feeding. I just felt it was better for her and better for me.
“I hope that it paves the way for more mothers to feel comfortable doing this because you can’t tell how difficult it is with each child.”