Sinn Féin calls time on Dáil bar late opening

» John Hedges

An Phoblacht Editor

At present, the Dáil bar remains open as long as the Dáil is sitting but the Sinn Féin leader says it should be subject to the same licensing laws as other bars

THE opening hours of the Dáil bar are being reviewed by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges after a request by Gerry Adams TD to the Ceann Comhairle.

The behaviour of TDs who may have been in the bar in between speaking in parliament has been questioned by observers in recent months.

The Dáil bar stayed open until shortly before the final vote was taken on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill at 5am on Thursday 11 July.

During a break in the abortion debate proceedings on 11 July, Cork East Fine Gael TD Tom Barry was caught on camera in the Dáil chamber pulling fellow Cork TD Áine Collins into his lap, sparking the ‘Lapgate’ controversy.

This led to the Dáil bar’s opening hours once more coming under scrutiny.

Previously, The Irish Times reported:

“On the night the Dáil and Seanad sat late in February to rush through emergency legislation to liquidate the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (the former Anglo Irish Bank), Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams told the Dáil the bar should be closed or a breathalyser test be introduced for members coming into the chamber.

“His remarks were met with outrage by TDs from other parties.”

Gerry Adams said at the time:

"There is obviously an onus on Oireachtas members to be sober and correct when debating and voting on legislation which affects every citizen in this state."

At present, the Dáil bar remains open as long as the Dáil is sitting but the Sinn Féin leader says it should be subject to the same licensing laws as other bars.

He also raised the matter of the effects on staff of long hours, often unplanned, and the rights of staff regarding working hours and conditions.

In his letter to the Ceann Comhairle released today, Gerry Adams said:

“I’m sure you may be further concerned with the declining standards of behaviour and the increased boisterous and raucous outbursts during late sittings, which I believe are linked to the longer opening hours.”

Deputy Adams also asks the Ceann Comhairle to clarify if the Dáil bars do, in fact, have a licence, saying he had been told they do not.