Sir, – With regard to dress codes, is it a golf club or a democratically elected national assembly we’re interested in? That a few “fashion police” should attempt to curb the dress sense of mould-breaking representatives amazes me (Home News, July 9th). Maybe we should legislate for the length of one’s hair while we’re at it. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Mick Wallace and the other not-so-debonair Independents need to take a look at the majority of professional workers in this country and realise that dressing “the part” for the highest public office (or any other office) in the land isn’t as unreasonable as they might make out. Turn on, tune in, dress up! – Yours, etc,
A chara, – The Government is serious about Dáil reform. Members will now have to adhere to a strict . . . dress code! Business attire only to be worn. So as not to incur the wrath of Michael O’Leary, ties will be optional.
Why follow the business model in attire only, why not in Dáil sitting times as well: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, with business holiday entitlements?
What is needed is radical reform of the Dáil to make it functional and relevant to the electorate, including those who voted for nonconformist TDs; reform such as suggested by Andrew Wallace (“Cutting the number of TDs”, July 8th). It’s time for the Government to get real about this necessary reform. – Is mise,
Sir, – I find the Government prioritisation of the issue of how TDs dress themselves when there are a plethora of more pressing issues facing the country to be absolutely ridiculous; and contemptuous of the electorate who chose to elect certain Independents. These people were chosen largely because they offered a clear alternative to the suits who had managed to ruin the country.
For many years, a priest’s collar, a stethoscope, a flashy car and big house, a fine tailored suit and other purely material items lent an almost automatic air of respectability and authority to individuals; we have now seen how, in some cases, appearances can be deceptive. If a TD chose to wear an eye-patch instead of a glass eye, would he or she be accused of playing the pirate? By dictating how some Independents choose to attire themselves, the political class is attempting to force them into conforming into their neat little coterie, the same one that has made a bags of the country. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Dress code for Dáil Éireann – a storm in a T-shirt? – Yours, etc,
FERGUS FLEMING,
Sir, – Those TDs who don’t want to dress correctly for “our” Dáil should be told by the Ceann Comhairle, “Go upstairs and don’t come down for tea until you dress properly”. I don’t care if they want to go round dressed in a pink shirt and a tu-tu. But please, not in “our” house. Show some respect, and grow up. – Yours, etc,