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Sat 12 Dec 2009Dáil code: 'handbagging' not allowed
THE TITLE of the document that decides what constitutes unparliamentary language in the Dáil chamber gives a strong clue of its quaint, old-fashioned and almost innocent world view.
It is called Salient Rulings of the House. And while the latest edition was updated as recently as March 2006, it could just have easily have been written in 1956. Some of the prohibited oaths, insults, slights, taunts and allegations have fallen out of use or are deeply anachronistic. Others are so mild as to be endearing. When a deputy is guilty of breaching the code, he or she is ruled “to be disorderly”.
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