Talks about talks on the touchy topic of T-shirts and trainers

THE DÁIL dress code. Where some Government TDs are concerned, it’s like a pink rag to a bull.

Mayo’s Michelle Mulherin brought up the subject of suitable parliamentary attire at this week’s Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting. Deputies and Senators discussed, at considerable length, the appalling sartorial standards of certain elected representatives on the other side of the House.

However, they couldn’t make up their minds about what should be done to improve things.

So they deferred the matter for further consideration at a future meeting.

Deputy Mulherin complained in particular about the choice of rig-outs favoured by some TDs from the technical group. The ones who appear in faded jeans, T-shirts, trainers and the like. Warming to her cause, she castigated these “muppets” on the Independent benches.

The always beautifully turned out Mary Mitchell O’Connor instantly objected to the use of the word “muppets”. She wasn’t “comfortable” with it. It’s almost a year to the day since Mitchell O’Connor’s colourful wardrobe was the subject of a tasteless jibe from that Beau Brummell of the technical group, Deputy Mick Wallets.

Or Mr Piggy-bank, as Revenue might call him.