Dáil-brand wine good for tourism, says Government TD

The proposal for the Dáil to stock its own branded wine will help promote its appeal to tourists, a Government TD said today.

It was revealed by the Irish Mail on Sunday that the Joint Sub-Committee on Administration has been asked to consider the plan.

Labour TD for Kildare South Jack Wall, a member of the group, says it follows a commercial decision by the Dáil's restaurant and bar.

He says this could help keep up the attraction of the house to tourists.

Deputy Wall told Radio Kerry that there is nothing unusual about the move.

"The House of Commons, the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly - every one of those has, in their shops, and in their systems such items, vis-à-vis, you know, Scottish whiskey, the House of Commons has their own wines, etc. etc.," he said.

"They're all for sale there and it's all part and parcel of the tourism attraction of being able to go to the Dáil or going to the House of Commons or the Scottish Parliament or whichever parliament.

"Parliaments right around the world have the same mechanism too."

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has said that the proposal shows how some "have their priorities all wrong".

"The Oireachtas own brand wine proposal is bizarre and shows how out of touch some members of the Oireachtas really are," he said yesterday.

"The fact that this proposal was set for discussion before the pressing issues I have raised about politicians drinking while discussing important legislation shows that some members have their priorities all wrong.

"It is completely inappropriate that elected members of the Oireachtas would be wasting time discussing Oireachtas own brand wine while so many ordinary citizens, those who put them in Leinster House, are struggling to pay bills and put food on the table."