Charity CD already stopping traffic

Anyone passing Leinster House at 3pm yesterday might have concluded that, this time, Louis Walsh had his work cut out. In fact, the impresario had nothing to do with the launch of Ireland's latest boy band, which was an independent initiative in more ways than one.

It started with Finian McGrath and Tony Gregory, both members of one of the Dáil's funkier combos: the so-called "technical group". When they were joined in Kildare Street by Fianna Fáil's Charlie O'Connor for a version of Angels We Have Heard on High, the spectacle was already stopping traffic (if only because it was taking place in the gateway of Leinster House and there were cars trying to get out).

But as often happens, it was an accidental addition that really made the band happen. This time, the X-factor was Donie Cassidy, who chanced upon the scene and joined in on backing vocals.

An impresario himself, Donie clearly thought he was in on the ground floor of something big. It will be no surprise if the singing TDs turn up soon as a support act for Foster and Allen. The act may need some refinement.

Before the Americans stole it, the term "extraordinary rendition" would have applied to the fab four's version of Bad Bad Leroy Brown. But whatever the group's future holds, at least yesterday's event was in a good cause.

On the back of his You're a Star performance last summer, Finian McGrath has recorded a CD of the two songs performed outside the Dáil.

He has already raised €76,000 for Down Syndrome Ireland and the aim is to push this up to an even €100,000 on the back of record sales. Another singer, the organisation's chief executive, Michael McCormick , said the money would help the group in its work to "raise the expectations" of the estimated 7,000 Irish people with Down syndrome.

The political ramifications of yesterday's event remain to be seen. Fianna Fáil and the Independents have not sung from the same hymnsheet since Jackie Healy Rae and Mildred Fox provided harmonies for the last government.

The success of Angels We Have Heard on High will only encourage speculation about a new musical arrangement.