President of the House of Representatives Annita Demetriou has written to all MPs following concerns over conduct inside Parliament. Her intervention focuses on social media recordings unrelated to parliamentary work and the practice of bringing drinks into the plenary chamber.
The letter was sent on Friday morning after the issue was discussed at a meeting of party leaders and representatives. According to the letter, certain behaviours were found to fall outside “the appropriate framework and standard of operation of a leading state institution such as Parliament”.
Social media videos under scrutiny
The recommendations primarily concern videos filmed by MPs in Parliament’s communal areas and the plenary chamber before being posted on social media.
Demetriou said some of the footage was unrelated to parliamentary duties and, once published, prompted “unnecessary and disparaging commentary” against the institution.
MPs were reminded that the plenary chamber and parliamentary committee rooms may not be used for purposes other than those for which they are intended. Filming is also prohibited in these areas.
The House President noted that such recordings could affect the rights of people present who do not wish to appear in the footage.
Drinks in the plenary chamber
The letter also addresses the practice of bringing drinks into the plenary chamber during sittings.
Demetriou urged MPs to avoid doing so, warning that it creates “obviously negative impressions”. Similar instructions will also be issued to parliamentary staff and MPs’ assistants.
