Sinn Féin TD Mary Lou McDonald was ordered to remove a badge advocating a Yes vote in the upcoming same-sex marriage referendum, while in Leinster House.
Ms McDonald was wearing the badge – which read ‘Tá Comhionannas’ - during Leaders’ Questions earlier today and while questioning Minister Brendan Howlin but an usher later asked her to remove it, as it was in violation of Dáil rules that prohibit Oireachtas members from wearing political emblems while in Leinster House.
#Dail underway with questions to Brendan Howlin. SF's @MaryLouMcDonald wearing a 'Tá Comhionannas' badge in seeming breach of House's rules
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) May 12, 2015
Leinster House staff have been reminded to enforce the rule in the run up to the May 22 referendum, The Irish Times reported last week.
“Emblems of a party-political nature should not be worn or otherwise displayed within the parliamentary precincts, an exception being made solely in respect of persons attending the distinguished visitors gallery,” a spokesman for the Houses of the Oireachtas said.
