Suspense and drama - but Mary goes placidly amid noise and haste

'And now, a brief pause for reflection. It will be mercifully short. Nominations for the PD leadership close on Monday. But over the coming weekend, there will be so much reflecting going on in certain South Dublin and Offaly households that sunglasses may have to be distributed to people in the vicinity.

What a day.

The political circus - or at least a small travelling troupe from the big top - had decamped to deepest Wicklow yesterday for the Green Party's annual think-in. Those left behind were scratching around Leinster House looking for something to do. Many had knocked off early and gone home.

The phones started hopping at half three in the afternoon. Just as Greens leader Trevor Sargent was starting a walkabout in Aughrim and hoping to get a few extra column inches after a productive morning getting out the pre-election message.

The news was sensational: Mary Harney has resigned! She would make it official at a news conference in two hours' time.

After all their hard work, the Greens tried to put a brave face on it as their captive band of journalists broke free and dashed back to Dublin. Meanwhile, back in the city, an assortment of breathless hacks rushed to the Merrion Hotel.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was touring north Co Dublin at the time. He had been informed by Mary Harney of her decision the night before and was waiting on the nod from his handlers. Once his Tánaiste read her statement into the record, he abandoned his walkabout in a Swords shopping centre and returned to Government Buildings.

None of the PD handlers would say why she had called a press conference. Yet everyone turning up for it was sure of the reason. Bemused couples enjoying leisurely afternoon tea in the hotel sat, china cups poised mid-air, as distracted technical crews charged in and out and around them with leads and lights and clipboards.

Into this madness strolled the Tánaiste, her husband Brian Geoghegan by her side. The camera crews and photographers had been driven upstairs to the conference room by PD handlers, who were only short of using whips and chairs to keep them inside. The atmosphere was that heady, tense, slightly hysterical mood that always accompanies an imminent big news story. It's the atmosphere that gets people hooked on politics, with its nervy excitement and sense of high drama.

Who to watch? Mary Harney or the new players in the PD leadership race? First, it had to be the Tánaiste. Would she be emotional, or maybe a little angry. Bitter, even? There had to be a reason for this shock announcement. She was scrutinised for the signs. But there were none. If beans were to be spilled, it wasn't going to happen in that room yesterday afternoon.

She read her statement, relaxed and calm. Brian Geoghegan stood nearby, watching. He seemed a happy man as he looked on with pride.

To his left the members of the PD parliamentary party were arranged along the side of the room.

First, almost hiding in the corner, was Liz O'Donnell. She's been installed as the bookies' favourite. She looked pensive, ruffling her hair, gazing into the distance. "She must know something. Look at her fabulous outfit," said one observer, obviously a stranger to the wonders of the extensively expensive O'Donnell wardrobe.

Next, and decent distance apart, stood Michael McDowell, the man many say is the leader in waiting. Reports of the Justice Minister's recent run-in with his leader were still fresh in the mind. Throughout Mary Harney's brief statement, he kept his eyes fixed firmly on the floor, like he was counting the dots on the carpet. With his head bowed, he looked like a schoolboy praying the teacher wasn't going to single him out for starting a fight in the schoolyard.

And then, a few yards down, was junior Minister Tom Parlon. His mouth was hanging open, head swivelling, a somewhat bewildered expression on his face.

Mary appeared in high spirits, outlining the reasons for her decision. "I've had a good innings," she said, wishing her successor, whoever he or she might be, the best of luck.

The formalities over, Mary folded her statement and put it in her handbag - one of the enormous leather ones she carted around during her 13 years as PD leader.

Then she stood, applause ringing in her ears, and gave her husband a kiss. Normally, Mary Harney hated that sort of stuff, always seeming a little awkward and shy in front of the photographers. "Blame him!" she said, looking at Brian.

"Do it again," asked the snappers. And she did.

More photographs, with Liz O'Donnell sitting beside her and Tom Parlon looking on. Michael McDowell was nowhere to be seem. Her friends embraced her as she left the hotel, and just then, for a moment, there were tears in her eyes.

At the same moment, Bertie Ahern was being driven through the gates of Government Buildings. He would soon be in front of the microphones, praising his long-time colleague and friend.

Two PD women outside the hotel mulled over the news. "Mary looked great. Like a great weight has been lifted off her shoulders. Radiant." And she was

. But Mary Harney still wants to be Minister for Health. She hasn't gone away, you know.