TDs banned from wearing party political slogans in Dáil

The Dáil body that deals with standards in the parliament has agreed new procedures preventing TDs from wearing clothing carrying political slogans in the chamber.

The decision of the Committee on Procedures is in response to the decision by Anti-Austerity Alliance (now Solidarity) and People Before Profit TDs to wear black “Repeal” sweaters in the Dáil in September 2016, urging the Government to repeal the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution which places the life of the unborn on an equal footing to the life of a mother.

The committee is chaired by Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl and members will now be prohibited from “the wearing of garments or the overt display of any item containing a slogan or a campaigning message, graphic or image of any kind or the wearing or display of anything of a commercial or promotional nature”.

Emblems

The Oireachtas Code of Parliamentary Standards already bans the wearing of emblems of a party-political nature.

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However, the Ceann Comhairle requested clarity after a number of TDs wore party political slogans in the chamber.

Mr Ó Fearghaíl told previous meetings the wearing of “small, discreet emblems” was permissible but “sloganeering” was not.

The committee will also consider correspondence from members of the public concerning the need for a dress code.

Several members of the public criticised Independents4Change TD Mick Wallace for his attire during a recent debate on Traveller Ethnicity.

In one letter, Mr Wallace is accused of showing a “severe lack of respect and decorum” and contempt for the House.

The committee has considered implementing a dress code for TDs and Senators but has failed to make a decision on the matter.