Fine Gael National Press Office
Press Statement by Senator Jerry Buttimer
Seanad Spokesperson on Community
Tuesday, 25th May 2010
New Leinster House ‘Twitter’ rules will help keep remote constituents informed – Buttimer
Speaking about the new rules which will allow TDs and Senators to use their phones in the Dáil and Seanad chambers to text, tweet and email, Fine Gael Senator and regular Twitter user Jerry Buttimer said:
“The announcement at the weekend that we will, from now on, be permitted to text, tweet and email from within the Oireachtas chambers is fantastic news as it will open up a valuable communication line for public representatives who wish to keep their constituents up to speed on what’s going on in Parliament. It will particularly useful for Deputies and Senators from outside Dublin who are away from their constituencies for half the week.
“It will also go a considerable distance to bursting the myth of the Leinster House bubble and will offer the wider public a chance to find out instantaneously what is going on regarding legislation, policy formation and debates in the Dáil, Seanad and Oireachtas Committees.
“This progressive move will have two-way benefits as constituents will be facilitated with getting ideas and comments on a certain subject to their local representative who maybe debating at that time. This will allow a wide range of views to be heard which may not otherwise have been given space.
“New technology is endless in its ability to put information at our fingertips. By modernising protocols within Leinster House we are now allowing constituents increased access to the people who represent them in parliament.”