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WHAT TDS WEAR in Leinster House should not be adjudicated on by the Dáil, according to AAA-PBP TD Brid Smith.
Smith, who recently wore a Repeal the Eighth jumper in the Dáil, also sits on the Oireachtas committee on procedures and privileges.
It was reported last week that this committee is to consider implementing a dress code for TDs and Senators.
At last week’s meeting, an item was on the agenda to deal with a complaint made about the appearance of some Dáil members.
The committee was told by Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl the attire of parliamentarians was a source of constant complaint from members of the public.
It’s been reported that it was agreed at the meeting that library and research staff are to examine other parliaments to assess what dress codes are in place in other countries.
However, it’s understood there were objections to this measure and nothing was agreed to take it further.
“What someone likes or chooses to wear is subjective. There are hundreds of parliaments around the world. For example, in Papua New Guinea’s parliament, they hardly wear anything,” said Smith.
She said to research what other parliamentarians wear around the world would serve no purpose, stating the dress code in some countries would not be the same as in western Europe. “It’s ridiculous, it’s entirely subjective,” she added.
The introduction of a dress code in the Dáil has been proposed a number of times in recent years.
Dáil rules state members should dress “in a manner that reflects the dignity of the House”.
The closest a dress code came to being implemented was in 2011 when a proposal was drafted to request TDs and Senators to wear appropriate business attire, but the proposal was rejected.
However, it’s understood that just recently some foreign visitors to the Dáil made passing comments about the dress of some TDs, stating they were “surprised” about the attire worn in the chamber.
Last week’s committee also discussed the wearing of emblems and party political badges in Leinster House.
On Budget day, Fianna Fáil’s Fiona O’Loughlin was asked to remove a badge she was wearing on her lapel.
The badge was to raise awareness that it was International Day of the Girl. She told TheJournal.ie that earlier that day she had been at Plan Ireland’s launch event. She was wearing the badge on her jacket to raise awareness, when she was asked to remove it, which she did.
It wasn’t until afterwards did O’Loughlin think to raise the matter and wrote a letter of complaint to the Ceann Comhairle.
She was later told by the Ó Fearghaíl that there had been a mistake and it was wrong for her to be asked to take it off.
O’Loughlin said she wore the badge in the Dáil the next day, but said it does raise the issue of consistency.
It’s not about being right or wrong, or whether you agree with it or not – it is about consistency of the rules. .
“I do feel people should dress appropriately in the chamber,” said O’Loughlin.
“I personally don’t feel men should have to wear a tie and jacket but it is important to remember that we are all representatives of our constituents and our country.”
O’Loughlin said she is not saying what should be allowed or not allowed be worn – but said she is merely calling for consistency of rules.
“If there are going to be rules, they should be for everybody. If those in the press gallery have to adhere to dress rules, why does that mean the elected representatives shouldn’t,” she asked.
Louise O’Reilly, who wears her Repeal the Eighth badge in the Dáil every day, said she has never been asked to remove it, though she said she has been told by some that she may be approached to do so.
She said a number of TDs in the Dáil have asked her what the badge represents and she is only too happy to inform them.
The Sinn Féin TD said she believes she hasn’t been approached to remove it as people know there would be a “hoo haa” about it if they tried.
She said the debate about a dress code is “ridiculous”.
I think that when the day comes that people are more concerned about what politicians are wearing in the Dáil rather than the laws they are implementing then it is a very sad day for Ireland.
She said if the debate opens up and there are restrictions about what can and cannot be worn in the Dáil she questioned where would it end.
The Sinn Féin TD said had someone not raised this issue at the Oireachtas committee on procedures and privileges she did not think the Ceann Comhairle would be overly concerned about it.
O’Reilly said she did not feel it was correct to discipline any of the AAA-PBP members for wearing the Repeal jumpers as she said it was all done very subtly. “They didn’t get up and shout and rip off their jackets,” she said.
Smith echoed the O’Reilly’s opinion that if you begin to discuss logos and emblems, like the Repeal jumper, where does it end.
“Do we discuss the Easter Lily and the pioneer pin?”
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Some joke! Had my smear on 31st October. Surgery told me it will be mid April before l get results. That is 5 months plus of a turnaround. Women are going to fall down in the streets at this rate. After everything, this government does not care.
@Evelyn Gillen: women should get the HPV vaccine. Its approved to 45 yrs old
@Evelyn Gillen: I had mine at well women and it took only 7 weeks to get the results last September . They are rather good and take part in cervical check programme . Check where a clinic around you is .
@Isabel Oliveira: Thanks, l was told by my surgery if l take a private test it will cost €150 and will take the same amount of time as it’s the same lab testing. I am looking into other options.
@Evelyn Gillen: they take part in the programme which is great and they don’t send their tests to the USA which is even better . I have chosen to do one every year as I had abnormal results some years ago and don’t want to chance it doing it only every 3 years as per the programme allowance and I think 2017 test ( which is outside of programme ) I did pay 100 euros . Last year it was free as it was part of cervical check .
@Isabel Oliveira: Yes I had mine done in well woman too.Always do as my G.P doesnt facilitate cervical check.Took 9 weeks.
@Evelyn Gillen: 7-9 weeks if you’re willing to pay more. Nearly 7months if not in an area where speed of knowledge is paramount. What a disgusting system.
‘varadkar said harris informed him a few weeks ago’
While in an M&S queue or officially? Surely if it was the latter there’d be minutes taken. So he’d know exactly when
@Bill Clay: A few weeks ago they were on holidays, was probably over a glass of Eggnog as they pulled Christmas crackers. Just one of those things you slip in for convivial conversation.
@Bill Clay: how in the name of God do people put up with such shoddy politicians like these numpties? Must be scrapings of the bottom of the barrel bearing in mind our very best people have left.
Harris studied to be a journalist, he is in charge of Ireland’s national health services and hasn’t a clue what he is doing,remove him as enough lives have been lost due to his lack of knowledge and management skills.
@@mdmak33: studied and didn’t qualify…shows his character really doesn’t it..
Might as well lash out all the bad news out while Brexit has the headlines….. I`m just surprised they didn`t wait until midnight on Friday though
Just had a repeat smear taken today. I had one in October last but it wasn’t clear they said. How could I have had a reading as quickly as that if, as I told by the nurse taking it today, it is taking 6 months for a result.
Why did the minister advise people to have extra tests done which have now caused a serious backlog to an already pressurised situation. 6 months for a result is just too long
@@UK: women should get the HPV vaccine. Its approved to 45 years old. I got it at 26 years old. I still get smear tests but im sure at least a couple of women will benefit from the vaccine.
The Irish media are as much to blame. In fact I’d go as far as saying they are more to blame because it is their job to hold these politicians to account, but instead pander to them.
It’s sickening.
@Bill Clay: The Irish media “ Are “ the government!
@Bill Clay: what media? FFFG and Danny ?
@Gus Sheridan: read Dinny ..bloody spellcheck
What a farce of a setup. Martin and FF telling FG you’re doing this wrong and doing that wrong and doing everything wrong, but together, they are destroying the country.
What does Simon Harris have to do to lose his job? He’s clearly totally out of his depth and Ireland can’t afford to keep him as Minister for Health until an anticipated cabinet reshuffle in the Summer.
I’ve been waiting 6 months. As someone who has previous treatment it’s very stressful to be waiting this long for a result. The way things are going I’ll be due my next test by the time the results for this one come back!
What if these women waiting have symptoms of cervical cancer? Now they have to retest!! This seems wrong!
Disgraceful
The risk on this is huge, we have a system that failed 221 women not once but multiple times. How can you have that many repeated fails.
We had had what was described as the ruthless Dr.Scally his report which seems to be a handling function by a person who has worked for HSE before and is a private consultancy firm, he knew his job. Seems even using non ISO labs tis fine.
You either buy capacity in for the failed system while you fix or load it into the private system or do something equivalent. You don’t do a Lucius Commodus and announce new tests for everyone cause you got caught in the headlights. This will yield undoubtedly lead to a new clump of life threatening illness. The game is always , always time with these guys. If you’d Lead you’d be given all the time you wanted.
The words ‘plot’ and ‘lost’ come to mind
How further has Leo to go to prove he really hates women.
Can we not set up a cervical check facility in Ireland?!
@Lisa McDonnell: we could easily if we had a government that didn’t have a globalist agenda and try and privatise everything.
Funny how all the women had a love in with these two idiots to give them the 8th repeal they need for the EU but no one ever thought they’d turn their backs on women so soon? Pull the other one!
It beggars belief Martin FF stands up everyday and slates the Government the way they are running the Country and when it comes to a vote of no confidence he votes for FG to stay in Government. This man and his Party are a national disgrace .
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