The new generation of high-tech mobile phones that allow users to send pictures poses a threat to the decorum of the Houses of the Oireachtas, it has emerged.
Since 1998, the use of ordinary mobile phones has been banned inside the Dáil and Seanad, and on the public corridors of Leinster House.
The rule has been most frequently breached by TDs and Senators, more than a few of whom have been interrupted in full flight during speeches to either House by the ringing of their own mobile phones.
The 1998 ban was prompted after a tabloid newspaper photographer managed - to the fury of TDs and Senators at the time - to surreptitiously take photographs of the Leinster House visitors' bar, following a costly, though overdue, refurbishment.
Concerned by the possible invasion of privacy threatened by Vodafone's and O2's much-hyped new image messaging service, the Committee of Procedures and Privileges now intends to get tough.
In November, the Superintendent of the Houses of the Oireachtas, Mr Paul Conway expressed "particular concern" to the committee that the new phones could impinge on "the privacy of members", according to sources.
The Ceann Comhairle, Dr Rory O'Hanlon, is now expected to give members of the Dáil and Seanad copies of the 1998 regulations, while security staff are expected to take a tougher stand against improper use.
Leinster House is not the only place to be worried by the arrival of the latest mobile phone innovation, which can send pictures and sound to another mobile, or to an Internet address.
Restaurants in London and elsewhere have already banned them, on the grounds that some of their customers could be photographed with someone with whom they should not be dining.
To convince us that we actually need the new service, Vodafone is offering free picture messaging until February 1st - though images can only be sent to other equivalent Vodafone mobiles, or Vodafone e-mail addresses.
