More than 90% of TDs who responded to a recent survey thought politicians should not ban alcohol in Leinster House.
Speaking to TV3, Emmet Stagg TD revealed that he was happy for TDs to have a couple of pints and go back into the Dáil to discuss serious issues such as the Abortion Referendum and the IBRC debate.
“If a TD has a pint or two I don’t think that’s a problem for me and I don’t think it’s a problem for the citizens of the country either,” he said.
TV3’s 'Midweek' contacted all 166 TDs by phone or email and asked them to take part in an anonymous survey on the Dáil bar. Of the 166 TDs contacted, 79 responded, one refused to take part, seven said they weren’t available and 79 did not respond.
The practice of keeping the bar in the Dáil open during late-night sittings has been the subject of criticism following the controversial ‘lapgate’ where Fine Gael TD Tom Barry was captured on Dáil TV cameras pulling party colleague Aine Collins on to his lap at 2.40am.
Tonight’s 'Midweek' programme on TV3 has promised to reveal "the shocking statistics regarding alcohol consumption in the Dáil", as well as admissions by Dáil members of having consumed alcohol before returning to the floor of the Dáil.
Some 82% of TDs who answered the survey agreed that the Dáil bar should not be allowed to serve alcohol past regular licensing hours when the Dáil sits late.
Source: Irish Examiner, 20/11/13
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