Wallace: Bid to change dress code ‘ridiculous’

EFFORTS to improve sartorial standards in the Dáil have been described by an Independent TD as “ridiculous”, “outrageous” and proof of the disconnect between the parliament and the public.

Leinster House sources have confirmed that a motion will come before the Dáil shortly seeking for casually dressed TDs to smarten up.

If passed, it would require TDs to dress in business attire — either a suit or jacket and trousers, although it’s believed a tie will remain optional.

It would force the likes of Independent TD Mick Wallace to ditch his pink T-shirts and fellow Independents Luke Ming Flanagan and Richard Boyd Barrett to wear jackets over their casual shirts. Jeans would also be prohibited.

The move stems from a meeting of the Dáil Committee on Procedure and Privileges this week, and is understood to be the initiative of committee chair and Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett, who wants to see dress standards improved.

There is currently no detailed dress code in the Dáil, merely a requirement that “members should dress in a manner that reflects the dignity of the House”.

Mr Barrett wants to tighten up the requirements to ensure TDs dress in business attire befitting the parliament, sources said.

The motion will come before the House before the Dáil adjourns for its summer recess on July 21, and could come as early as next week.

But Mr Wallace labelled the move “ridiculous” and “outrageous” and said there were far more pressing issues facing the country.

“From my point of view, I would say that (Sean Barrett is) living in the dark ages. And I tell you what: if you want to talk about standards, I’d be far more interested in keeping up our standards in health and education, rather than cutting them,” Mr Wallace told RTÉ Radio.

“The people of Wexford elected me, and I didn’t go around with a pinstripe suit on me when I was canvassing.

“I felt during the election campaign that a lot of people felt there was a huge disconnect between the Oireachtas and the people. And since I’ve come in here, I honestly feel that people in here live in a bubble, and that they don’t actually really understand what’s going on in the real world.”

Mr Wallace said he would continue to dress as he liked, even if the Oireachtas passed the motion.

“Mick Wallace will wear what Mick Wallace wants to wear.”