A decision by some TDs to wear a keffiyeh in the Dáil in solidarity with Palestine has raised questions about the Leinster House dress code. 

TDs such as Paul Murphy have been seen wearing the traditional head dress in the Dáil and they have been criticised by some for breaking the Dáil dress code. 

Virgin Media Political Correspondent Gavan Reilly explained there is no enforceable dress code for TDs. 

“If you expected a TD to wear a tie and business dress, there would a question as to who has the authority to stop an elected member of the Dáil from showing up,” he told Moncrieff. 

There are rules against bringing props into the Dáil chamber, such as photographs or newspapers. 

“Sometimes items of clothing could be considered props,” Mr Reilly said. “Up until a few years you weren’t allowed to wear other little lapel pins or embryology that might be considered politically motivated. 

“Members of Sinn Féin were looked down upon for wearing the Easter lily on their lapels because it was considered to be a political banner. 

“The same idea could apply that you can’t wear a Palestinian keffiyeh, but then you get into ‘how long’s a piece of string?’. 

“Is it unacceptable on some days, but in other times when it’s not so politically charged, is it a less frowned upon? 

“It's a very difficult thing to get your grasp on and they’ve realised you might as well allow a free-for-all.” 

Wide shot cameras

Mr Reilly explained if a TD ever wears something seen as inappropriate in the Dáil, they won’t be kicked out – but the broadcast of that politician will be different. 

“If someone comes in with a photo or wielding a newspaper front page to make a political point, whoever is running the Dáil TV will switch to a wide shot because strictly speaking that person is breaking the rules,” he explained.  

This was frequent during the 2018 Eighth Amendment referendum when politicians wore ‘Repeal’ t-shirts. 

Journalist dress code

Despite a lack of dress code for TDs in the Dáil, the same rules do not apply to journalists. 

“It does feel quite odd because you have people going to the Dáil press gallery and we’re required to be in full business dress,” Mr Reilly said. 

“There's a total ban on denim, a total ban on runners.” 

He said this felt particularly strange when TDs were sporting “soccer jerseys” and “Oscar the Grouch t-shirts". 

There was one instance when a foreign journalist reporting on Irish austerity measures was asked to leave the press gallery because he wasn’t wearing a tie. 

“For that very reason we have a coat stand outside the Dáil Chamber with a couple of spare neck ties and a large coat jacket,” Mr Reilly said. 

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