THE DÁIL chamber, particularly at question time, has never been known for its decorum. The situation may be deteriorating, however, because Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett warned TDs during the week that the number of complaints received from the public about their shouting and general behaviour was “incredible”. Deputies might think they were gaining kudos with the electorate from such behaviour, he warned, but they were actually losing. Banter was acceptable to him but “shouting and roaring” was out of order.
Anyone who watches or listens to Dáil proceedings will sympathise with Mr Barrett’s efforts to maintain order. But shouting and roaring – what the official record coyly describes as “interruptions” – has always been part of life there. What is different now is that live television coverage and webcasts have been broadcast from the Oireachtas since the autumn. So, has the public responded to this warts-and-all exposure with the horror the Ceann Comhairle suggested? It’s impossible to say. You see, while the number of public calls has risen to more than 5,500 this year, the Leinster House authorities did not break down the calls between queries and complaints.
It takes time for a new Dáil to bed itself down; for the authority of the chair to be accepted and for a pecking order to be established. Intense competition between Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin on this occasion, along with an increase in the number of Independent TDs, has made the process particularly fraught. Every Dáil produces colourful, attention seeking characters who thrive on uproar and the crop on this occasion appears to be particularly fine.
It would be wrong to demand uniformity and impeccable manners from such TDs. Their occasional ability to breach the comfort zones of Ministers provides a useful service. Disorderly behaviour is not, in any event, confined to the Opposition benches. Parliamentary questions should be asked and answered without undue interference. Apart from that, the electorate will be the ultimate judge of unruly or populist behaviour. Attempting to impose conformity in manners, as well as in dress, can be a self-defeating exercise. A requirement that TDs should wear “tailored jacket and trousers and a collared shirt”, was abandoned earlier this year. That was wise. Men wearing denim didn’t destroy the banking sector or bring the economy to its knees. Modulated voices and deferential behaviour in the Dáil may be an attractive notion, but it could short-change the electorate.