In a special ?Midweek? survey for TV3: 23% of TDs said they had consumed an alcoholic drink before r

TV3 GROUP RELEASE

IMMEDIATE: Wednesday 20th November 2013

 

 In a special ‘Midweek’ survey for TV3: 23% of TDs said they had consumed an alcoholic drink before returning to the floor of the Dáil.

 

91% of TDs surveyed thought politicians shouldn’t lead by example and ban alcohol in Leinster house

 

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

 

Emmet Stagg reveals that he was happy for TD’s 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.

 

Midweek airs tonight at 10pm on TV3.

 

Video Link to view the full episode available on request.

 

The practice of keeping the  bar in the Dáil open during late-night sittings has been the subject of criticism in recent months, 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 reveals the shocking statistics regarding alcohol consumption in the Dáil and admissions by Dáil members of having consumed alcohol before returning to the floor of the Dáil.

 

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. The eye-opening results found that 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.

 

23% of TDs surveyed by Midweek said they had consumed an alcoholic drink and then gone back onto the floor of the Dáil, even if it was just to vote and 91% of TDs when asked, thought politicians shouldn’t lead by example and ban alcohol in Leinster house.

 

Speaking to TV3’s Midweek, Emmet Stagg TD who is a member of the Joint Sub-Committee on Administration confirmed that Gerry Adam’s request that the Dáil bars keep regular licensing hours had been considered and refused by the committee.

 

Mr. Adams confirmed to Midweek that he is still waiting for a formal response from the committee.

 

Emmet Stagg also reveals that he was happy for TD’s 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.”

 

Please see survey results in notes to editor.

 

Midweek airs tonight at 10pm on TV3.

 

Images have been sent to your picture desks.

 

ENDS

For further information
Ciara Byrne

Press Officer

01 419 3329

087 319 9732

 

Sharon McHugh
Head of Press & Publicity

01 419 3430
087 922 4143

publicity@tv3.ie                        
www.tv3.ie

 

Follow TV3

Follow us on Twitter: @TV3Ireland

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TVThreeIreland 

Follow us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/TV3Group

 

NOTES TO EDITOR:

 

Survey questions

 

1.    When the Dáil sits later than usual should the members bar be allowed to serve alcohol past regular licensing hours?

 

2.    Do you think there is a drinking culture in Leinster house?

 

3.    Have you ever had an alcoholic drink and then gone back onto the floor of the Dáil – even if it’s just to vote? 

 

4.    Given Ireland’s problems with alcohol should politicians lead by example and ban alcohol in Leinster house?  

 

Response rate

 

79 TDs responded to the survey.

 

1 TD refused to take part.

 

7 TDs said they weren’t available to respond.

 

79 haven’t responded at all.

 

Break down of results

 

Q1 – 13 Yes, 60 No, 6 Don’t know 

 

Q2 – 9 Yes, 67 No, 3 Don’t know

 

Q3 – 17 Yes, 58 No, 4 Don’t know / refused to answer

 

Q4 – 7 Yes, 72 No