Sir, – In response to Will Keane’s letter (January 5th), I welcome the Ceann Comhairle’s efforts in attempting to produce a dress code for our national parliament. When the people representatives are present in either house, I do indeed expect them to treat their role with a high level of seriousness and present themselves in our nation’s primary political forum with a kind of dignity fitting their given position.
Furthermore, not every TD and Senator can be expected to be sitting in their seat for every moment their respective houses are in session.
Personally, I expect them all to give their vote when called for, but I expect my representatives to at least be present in the house when debating issues relevant to their portfolios or in particular their constituents.
For example, I do not readily expect a city-based representative, who may be a backbencher or a party spokesperson on an urban issue to attend a debate on an important rural issue which doesn’t directly affect his or her constituents. – Yours, etc,