A thread on widespread flouting of public health measures in our national parliament.
1/ The TD who took sanitary wipes from a tray in the Convention Centre.
He threw one back on the tray, another on the floor, then “scarpered” when a compliance member went to ask him about it:
2/ One politician who always makes sure he has his mask on when the cameras are rolling in the chamber.
When walking around … not so much:
3/ Another TD rooting around in the supply closet handling packets of mask while they were on the phone:
4/ One TD asked over and over again if he could provide medical certification for why he was not able to wear a mask.
The deputy “grunted before taking a phone call and ignored me. He placed his dirty face visor on the desk.”
5/ A group of members – including a number of deputies – will not wear masks.
The compliance team member said: “Don’t intend approaching them as they have already been made fully aware of new policy.”
6/ A member of political staff “laughed” when told the mask policy was for the protection of everybody working in Leinster House:
7/ The same group of TDs flagged over and over again.
“Did not approach as they have been asked on numerous previous occasions and have failed to comply.”
8/ One deputy unhappy with policy around the wearing of masks and disagrees with the interpretation.
“Emphasises that he is a lawyer, that this whole thing has no legal standing.”
9/ Repeated issues arose with gardaí on duty at the Convention Centre and Leinster House.
“I asked him to wear a mask; he said he doesn’t have to … he spoke quite angrily aloud while I walked away saying that ‘they make up the rules as they go along’.”
10/ Reports of repeated aggressive, abusive, and dismissive behaviour from one TD.
An usher witnessed one incident: “He was disgusted by the way the Deputy had responded to me.”
After the incident, the group of TDs were "laughing" among themselves at what happened.
11/ Red flag raised over ministerial drivers (one of a number of reports).
“Presumably afterwards they would then have spent time in close proximity with the various ministers in their cars. I think this poses a serious risk to the whole Cabinet.”
12/ Internal update on the compliance programme.
“A small but growing cohort are rude.” Says consideration may need to be given to whether audio or video should be recorded.
Says some staff are now reluctant to come to work because public health measures not being observed.
13/ Observance of social distancing & public health measures was so bad in Convention Centre at voting times that they experimented with making all the escalators go in one direction … they broke down.
14/ A member of the compliance team checks a party room. A TD tells them off for entering without knocking. No one is wearing a mask.
A week later, they check the same room. “Aggressive in his approach,” the TD orders them to leave … still no masks.
15/ The TD involved had engaged in “abusive” behaviour before.
His behaviour was discussed at a meeting of the Oireachtas Commission, according to this email.
A letter was sent.
16/ One member of the compliance team writes of having to “psych” themselves up before going on duty.
“The hostile/rude reaction of some is taking its toll. The negative reaction of members and staff is disheartening, demoralising and saddening.”
17/ An update says there has been an increase in Covid-19 infection numbers on site.
There has been a continuing decline in compliance levels.
“Of key concern is the significant drop-off in both social distancing and mask wearing, which is seen across all groups and sections.”
18/ In case you missed it, we also had the TD who said they'd sooner go to jail than wear a mask.
His behaviour is described as abusive and dangerous in internal emails.
19/ And not forgetting the TD who decided he would secretly take photographs of Oireachtas staff to prove they weren't wearing masks either.
Query was raised over whether @DPCIreland should be notified ... they weren't!
20/ In case you're wondering, the redactions are not mine & are already under appeal.
Hard to think of anything more in the public interest than disclosure of names of TDs/Senators who abuse & laugh at civil servants.
You can read the records at:
thestory.ie/2021/11/09/a-c…
21/ These records were only provided on payment of €340 in search and retrieval fees.
The cost of the internal review - already filed - is another €30. I personally paid because I think it's important that these details are in the public domain.
22/ If you wanted to contribute a couple of euro towards the cost of this, you can do so through the following link: kenfoxe.com/foi-guide
And while you're there, you can read about how to make your own FOI requests!
23/ Lastly, if you are working in the Houses of the Oireachtas and are affected by the issues outlined above, feel free to get in touch.
My contact details are available here:
kenfoxe.com/contact-detail…
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