DEIRDRE MCQUILLANtalks to Maureen O'Sullivan, TD
DESCRIBE WHAT YOU'RE WEARINGThe denim jacket is from Turkey bought on a holiday years ago, but I can't remember where I got the green cardigan, maybe TK Maxx, nor the grey jeans. I keep clothes for years. I might wear something today that I was photographed in five years ago.
WHAT ABOUT YOUR DÁIL DEBUT?I went to Boyers but found nothing and then to Clerys, and a nice lady recognised me and came over, and then another lady – they knew exactly why I was there. I got a check jacket, white shirt and black trousers and another jacket. For my first appearance on TV I wore a pink polo neck that I'd worn to school all day.
YOU LIKE BRIGHT COLOURS?I like bright colours since my hair is totally grey. I used to have darker hair – I can wear white, but I didn't change colours consciously. Colours are a mood thing. I do have one black trouser suit.
SO YOU DRESS TO SUIT YOUR MOOD?No, I don't – I'm generally in a good mood and that's because for 35 years I have gone to a job that I loved, drove out by the sea to St Mary's to wonderful kids, wonderful staff and a lovely atmosphere.
WHAT DOES WHAT YOU WEAR SAY ABOUT YOU?I don't think I make an impression with what I wear. I think what I wear says that I am casual, informal, low-key, calm. I wear clothes that are comfortable. I like jeans. Yes, I have pride in my appearance.
DO YOU EVER DRESS UP?Pretty much only for weddings. I have a black and white dress and I wear it when I go to the kids' debs – I dress up for that.
AND JEWELLERY?I love earrings – they're my passion. I pick up loads and I am lucky in that I can wear cheap ones. I have a wide collection from cheap and cheerful in all different colours, the most expensive about €30 or €40.
ARE YOU A SPENDTHRIFT?I don't spend money on fashion. Last Monday in Clerys was the first and the last time I bought clothes without looking at the price. I like to buy things that are ageless and timeless. I am not fussy about clothes – I am a real "that will do".
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF DÁIL EIREANN?How male dominated it is and these men in suits! There is more variety from women and some are elegant and others low-key.
SO ARE YOU GOING TO CHALLENGE SARTORIAL RULES LIKE TONY GREGORY? I would not want to be offensive and there is a protocol person that I met. But I did notice that Martin Ferris had no tie and it didn’t appear to worry anybody.
WHAT ABOUT YOUR BLUE RAINCOAT? That was mentioned in a newspaper report and one of the Gregory group was going to put it on eBay! But I wore it coming into the Dáil. I don’t want clothes to divert from what I am there for, which is continuing Tony’s legacy.
BUT YOU HAVE TO CONTEND WITH COMMENTS ABOUT WHAT YOU WEAR? I wore a pink jumper on Vincent Browne’s show and somebody commented, ‘ Would you not think she would be more dressed up?’ and somebody else said it looked very nice. They say that clothes maketh the man, but I think it is your character and personality.
THE MOST YOU’VE EVER SPENT?
I spent a few hundred all in one go in Clerys, but I never buy anything expensive. I buy in the sales in Boyers and Clerys. I would probably buy if I was away and had more time, but those ladies in Clerys are great!
YOU’RE A TEACHER, DO YOU BELIEVE IN UNIFORMS? I believe in school uniforms, especially in girls’ schools. When you don’t have a uniform it does put pressure on them.
GROOMING? I don’t wear make-up – when I have to be made up for TV, I tell them to get that lipstick off me. When I was in my 20s I always had long hair and then this streak of grey appeared. My mother dyed her hair every four weeks – I wouldn’t do that. I had a friend who had grey hair and I thought it looked great. Mine looked then as if it had been dyed with grey streaks! I get it cut every two months by Colin Harrington. I don’t use any creams other than sun cream. I’m minimal maintenance!
WHAT ABOUT DRESSES? I don’t wear dresses or skirts to work. I would wear skirts and shorts in the summer when the weather is nice. I am more of a trousers person.
HOW DO YOU RELAX? I go to Cape Clear island every year – I’ve been going since 1968 and I read and I love walking – I have a dog called Rusty, a mongrel. I used to have an Old English sheepdog, but this time I went downmarket!
WORDS PORTRAIT MATT KAVANAGH