Spoilsports: Minister banned from showing county colours
A Government minister and a TD have been reprimanded by staff at the Houses of the Oireachtas for displaying Dublin flags on their vehicles in the car park of Leinster House.
Minister for Sport Leo Varadkar fell foul of Oireachtas rules by brandishing a pair of royal and sky blue flags from his official state car — a Skoda Superb.
Labour TD Aodhán Ó Riordáin suffered a similar rap on the knuckles for displaying his county colours on his car.
A Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport official confirmed that Mr Varadkar’s private secretary had received instructions yesterday that the flags on the minister’s state vehicle breached established protocols.
A spokesperson for the Houses of the Oireachtas confirmed that existing rules prohibited the display of flags in order to maintain the dignity and decorum of a national parliament.
“Under protocols, the display of flags, banners or any commercial advertising is not allowed,” said the spokesperson.
A source close to Mr Varadkar said it was ironic that the Minister for Sport should get into trouble for displaying his county’s colours.
Mr Ó Riordáin said he was surprised at being instructed to remove the Dublin flags from his vehicle.
However, the Dublin North Central TD said he was happy to comply with the rule and understood why it existed.
“I’ve don’t really have a difficulty with it. It’s not a big deal,” said Mr Ó Riordáin, who trains a women’s GAA club team at Scoil Uí Chonaill in Clontarf in his spare time.
His party colleague, Dublin Mid-West TD Robert Dowds, described the Oireachtas rule concerning flags as “ridiculous”.
Meanwhile, fever pitch is building in the capital as the first final showdown between Dublin and Kerry since 1985 has ensured demand for tickets for Sunday’s game far exceeds supply.
Black-market tickets advertised online have also seen prices soar in recent weeks.
The Need-A-Ticket website is offering a pair of tickets on the premium level for €1,600, while a couple of tickets for Hill 16 will set fans back €800.
