We only swing when we're winning

THE CAPTAINCY of the Oireachtas golf society is a much sought-after position among those politicians of the Pringle jumper disposition.

The society’s next AGM isn’t until February, but if there is one thing that the membership love more than golf, it’s an election.

Independent TD Noel Grealish is the outgoing captain and he will be succeeded by the current vice-captain and Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Paddy Burke.

So all the big interest is in who will be elected vice-captain come February. Former deputy Donie Cassidy, who is the secretary of the society, had been agitating for a Fianna Fáil nominee. However, it is generally accepted that the position belongs to the Labour Party as it hasn’t had a captain since the days of Liam Kavanagh and Dick Spring. Jack Wall, society PRO, has already held the position.

Deputy Arthur Spring and Galway-based Senator Lorraine Higgins are the front runners. The smart money is on low- handicapper Lorraine. If she gets the position, she will be the first female captain of the Oireachtas golf society.

The next president of the society will come from Fine Gael. Former FF MEP Mark Killilea currently holds the office and there are a lot of FG stalwarts waiting in the wings to take over, including former deputies Tom Enright and John Donnellan.

Among the members is Judge Pat McCartan, who was once a Workers’ Party TD for Dublin North East in the late 1980s. He joined the society after the Workers’ Party split and he became part of Democratic Left. Members were surprised at his golfing ability as he never expressed any interest in the game up to then.

“I was afraid to tell Mac Giolla” he told them, referring to his then WP leader, the late Tomás.

Speaking of golfers, we saw Minister of State Brian Hayes, who is treasurer of the Oireachtas society, gingerly making his way along a high balcony in Leinster House on Thursday. He was in the company of men who looked like they were no strangers to hard hats and high-vis vests.

It turns out that Brian, who has responsibility for the Office of Public Works, was getting a guided tour of the worst parts of Leinster House so he could see the bits that are falling apart, under pressure and crumbling.

It’s not that long ago that the political correspondents had to be moved from their cherished eyrie in the building because the floor was in danger of giving way.

“The engineers took me to inspect parts of the building I have never seen before,” said Hayes. “At one point, I was walking in the attic space above the beautiful Seanad ceiling – I needn’t tell you, the waft of hot air from below nearly killed me. At one point I was actually on the roof of the Dáil, right beside the flag. I was hoping to see where all the bodies are buried but I was unsuccessful.”

His mission, and that of the engineers, is to work out how much repair work has to be done and how much money they can possibly spend in 2012. Hayes knows it’s a sensitive issue. In their current mood, most voters would probably cheer if the roof fell in. However, he points out that any money spent next year will go on improving the public areas and to make the members’ quarters more comfortable.