Leinster House attendants set for makeover

Ushers at Leinster House are to get tailored clothes after concerns were expressed about shabby uniforms.

Last time the Oireachtas attendants were fitted out in 2011 it cost more than €200,000. The tender for made-to-measure uniforms was placed on a Government website after it was reported concerns had been raised about the “deterioration of parliamentary ushers standard of dress”.

The complaint from ushers emerged during a row over staffing arrangements with Oireachtas authorities. The new bespoke outfit will include socks, suits, ties, overcoats, epaulettes, shirts and belts. There are about 60 ushers in the Houses of the Oireachtas, with job shares meaning this equates to 50 full-time positions. The tender also includes uniforms for other Oireachtas personnel, including service attendants, porters and cleaners.