Thousands complain over Dáil heckling amid SF sexism claim

ROWDY TDs disrupting Dáil proceedings have been told that thousands of public complaints have been made about their ill-mannered behaviour.

Furthermore, Sinn Féin claimed sexism was alive and well in the house after Mary Lou McDonald endured over 60 interruptions during a 30-minute speech on the budget.

Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett surprised members and observers during Leaders’ Questions yesterday when he reprimanded TDs for their interruptions and loud retorts.

Mr Barrett is regularly forced to control proceedings when bitter exchanges erupt between sides of the house or jibes are thrown at speakers.

But he turned his frustrations on members yesterday and berated them for their behaviour, saying it was shocking the number of criticisms being made by the public.

“Before the Taoiseach replies, I wish to address members,” he said. “If they check with the House’s communications section and my office, they will see that the number of complaints being received about the behaviour and shouting during these sessions is incredible.

“Members might believe that they are gaining political kudos, but they are actually losing. Will they please give people an opportunity to ask a question and to have it answered? There will always be a little bit of banter, but shouting and roaring are out of order.”

The Houses of the Oireachtas last night disclosed it had, so far this year, received correspondence and complaints from over 5,800 members of the public.

A spokesman said a “sizeable number” of the phone calls, emails and general correspondence were complaints about shouting and interruptions in the Dáil.

Other complaints and queries from the public related to how much politicians were getting paid and why so few of them attended sessions in the chamber.

Meanwhile, Gerry Adams attacked Enda Kenny and Government benches yesterday over some members who “heckle, harangue and shout down” other deputies and had done so during debates on the budget.

“The concerted efforts to shout down, bully or silence a speaker are unacceptable.

“There are repeat offenders, habitual serial shouters who have nothing of substance to say and there is no willingness to listen to what others might have to offer.”

The Sinn Féin leader also insisted “sexism was alive and well in the Dáil”. He said deputy party leader Mary Lou McDonald was regularly interrupted by one government TD during a budget debate on Monday.

“She was interrupted 65 times during her 30-minute speech. One Fine Gael misogynist interrupted 27 times.”

He added: “Be sure that a motley crew of bad mannered amadáin, lobby fodder for the Government, will not silence us.”