Mr O’Leary’s comments about teachers at the weekend sparked a national backlash and notable among former teachers is Tánaiste Micheál Martin, who joined 19 other former teachers in the 33rd Dáil. They include former Green Party deputy leader Catherine Martin, who has been singled out for criticism by the Ryanair boss.

Higher Education Minister Patrick O’Donovan is a former primary school teacher and Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin South-West John Lahart is a qualified teacher and psychotherapist.

The legal profession was next best represented, with six qualified solicitors and six other solicitors. This includes Labor Party leader Ivana Bacik, who worked as a lawyer before she was elected.​

Former minister Willie O’Dea worked as both a lawyer and accountant before winning his seat in Limerick City, and six others came from accounting backgrounds, including former finance minister turned European commissioner Michael McGrath and enterprise minister Peter Burke – Fine Gael TD for Westmeath at center of Michael O’Leary controversy.

Advocates also include Fianna Fáil’s Dublin Bay South TD Jim O’Callaghan, who came under fire at the weekend after saying “it can’t be the case that everyone just decides at 19 that “I’m going to be a politician”.

This was interpreted in Fine Gael as a dig at Taoiseach Simon Harris, who dropped out of college to pursue a career in politics, working as an assistant to Frances Fitzgerald before running for election himself.

Mr Harris is in good company as one of five former parliamentary aides who have passed on their choice. Helen McEntee was her father Shane’s assistant, while Sinn Féin’s Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire and Claire Kerrane, as well as Labour’s Seán Sherlock, also played similar roles.

Three former trade unionists – Louise O’Reilly, Patricia Ryan and now MEP Kathleen Funchion – were elected to the Dáil for Sinn Féin in 2020. This is also the background of People Before Profit’s Bríd Smith and former Labor leader Brendan Howlin.

The Healy-Raes were involved in the family business of letting and contracting factories before taking the reins of the family’s political dynasty, while nine others came from a life as a business owner. This includes former Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, who set up cycling holiday company Cycling Safaris in 1989.

Mary Lou McDonald was a researcher and consultant before politics became a full-time gig, while Roderic O’Gorman was an academic who taught at Griffith College and DCU.

Qualified GP Leo Varadkar joined Jack Chambers among medical degree holders. After his time as a soldier, Independent Cathal Berry also went on to train as a doctor.