The office of the Ceann Comhairle Seamus Kirk has revealed that there was a complete misunderstanding over the use of unparliamentary language in the Dail by Green Party TD Paul Gogarty last week.
“It appears people thought Mr Gogarty was criticised for using the words ‘fuck you’ in addressing Deputy Emmet Stagg. This is clearly nonsense. Mr Gogarty was rightly criticised for using the words ‘respect’ and ‘sincerity’,” a spokesman said.
“To suggest that fuck you is inappropriate language for parliament is utter bollocks but there is definitely no place for sincerity in the houses of the oireachtas,” he added.
The guidelines on inappropriate language are to be updated to include respect and sincerity as well as accountability, responsibility and democracy. “We will not tolerate the use of such inflammatory language in the Dail,” the spokesman said.
