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My three days spent in Leinster house involved a number of different jobs. I had to update Mark's databases of the names and addresses of the people in his constuncticy so he could send them monthly e-mails of what he is doing and letters four times a year.
I also had to do research; my first job was reserach into Spain’s system of organ donation. I also had to do research on things that Mark would discuss in the Senate including: remarks made by Joan Burton that Fianna Fail was involved with the Tax consultants, remarks made by the credit rating agency Standard and Poor's, that Ireland needed a change of government, and why the HSE was suspending plans for a cystic fibrosis unit.
Another part of my job was attending committee meetings that Mark couldn't attend or had to leave early. I took notes for him in addition to the minutes of the meeting. I attended a committee meeting on human rights where we were addressed by members of the Bah'ah faith who were appealing for help for Iranian Bah'ah members who are being prescuted by their government. I also attended a committee being addressed by Irish NGO's who were appealing for their funds not to be cut in the next budget. Both were incredibly interesting.
However the most interesting part was sitting in on a meeting Mark was having with the ambassator of Isreal. Over tea they discussed Gaza, and Isreal's human rights abuses.
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Mary Mc Swiney
