There has been tearful scenes in the Dáil, with one of Fine Gael's longer-serving TDs delivering her final speech.

Olivia Mitchell asked for permission to make a quick speech after realising she would be on official duty abroad during what is likely to be the final Dáil week.

She is currently as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and of the Council of Europe.

She has been a TD in Dublin South since 1997 and served as party spokesperson in local government, health and children, transport, arts, sports and tourism - as well as spokesperson on competition and consumer protection.

She confirmed last September that she would not run in the next general election.

The deputy thanked the people of Dublin South for electing her as a TD on four occasions.

"There hasn't been a single day I haven't been in here that I haven't been conscious of what a really great, incomparable privilege and honour it is to represent (my constituents) here in our national parliament", she said.

"And finally I want to wish all my colleagues the very best", she added.