Thank you. Thank you! This works.
Verified this also works in the online version - but again there is zero feedback that any tabs (including the first) have been 'selected' and when you paste there is initially no visual feedback - it can takes 3-5 seconds for the tabs to appear.
NB this does not work in the "edit tags" popup window - where there is feedback that a tag has been selected, but no multiple tag selection (and obviously no copy paste)
In conclusion: it works, in one specific location only. Zero visual feedback. Seems fragile - like the kind of thing that is not tested for. Fingers crossed it keeps on working. But, for now, it can be done.
@PinkElephant - I didn't mark your answer as solution as I quoted it above and wanted to give further feedback (e.g. works in online version). Hope that's still good etiquette.