Marriage referendum: Burton backs wearing of Yes badges

Tánaiste Joan Burton has backed members who have refused to remove badges promoting a Yes vote in the same-sex marriage referendum.

Senator David Norris, Labour TDs John Lyons and Emmett Stagg and Fine Gael TD Jerry Buttimer have declined to remove the emblems. Speaking at a Labour Party event in Dublin on Thursday, Ms Burton suggested the Oireachtas rules should now be changed.

“Obviously, whatever rule is being applied, it’s been there for a long time really I thought it had disappeared. Because in recent times, we have seen enormous changes in dress code, dress standards and I think people who have been in the Dail over a long period of time accepted it. I certainly would hope, given that I do see people from time to time wearing emblems and often quite prominently, that it would be the same rule for everybody,” she said.

"If they are wearing pins and wearing badges that are supporting equality, which is what the Dáil is meant to progress in Ireland, then I do support them."

Tradition

Ushers were told last week to remind people of the long-standing tradition when they entered the House.

A spokesman for the Houses of the Oireachtas confirmed that “members, staff and visitors [are] asked to remove emblems” to comply with rules.

He added: “Members, staff and visitors continue to co-operate on the longstanding protocol around emblems of a party political nature in the precincts of Leinster House. From time to time, members and staff inadvertently display such emblems – for instance, on return from events outside the House.

“They invariably co-operate with the Leinster House ushers when reminded of this protocol.

“As there has never been wilful and persistent breaching of this protocol, the question of sanction is in the hypothetical and does not arise.”