Dáil Sketch: Ministers are preparing to take off around the world for the St Patrick's Day celebrations with the stinging criticism of the Opposition in their ears. The House will not sit next week to facilitate this annual exodus, writes Michael O'Regan.
Yesterday, the adjournment was bitterly opposed by the Opposition.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny wanted the Dáil to meet next week to discuss emergency legislation on gun culture. Minister for Justice Michael McDowell, the subject of many a jibe in his absence this week, erupted in rage from the Cabinet benches to accuse Mr Kenny of opposing minimum prison sentences.
Denying this, Mr Kenny was effusive in his welcome for the Minister, every word coated in sarcasm. "I welcome the Minister back to the House," he declared.
The Minister, he added, had surmised that Donna Cleary would not have been murdered if the warrant had been executed for the arrest of the person alleged to have killed her.
Mr McDowell came close to jumping out of his seat with rage. "Deputy Kenny is convincing nobody and he is making a fool of himself. I suggest he sit down . . . Frauds. You are a pack of frauds, the lot of you," he shouted. Observing Mr McDowell, Fine Gael's Padraic McCormack suggested: "Give him a drink of water."
Trevor Sargent, of the Green Party, spoke more in sorrow than in anger. "We are being asked to turn St Patrick's Day into St Patrick's week, which is unique for most people in this country who expect next Friday to be the only day that is a holiday.
"This Dáil should start to recognise that outside this House this is completely unacceptable, regardless of the explanations being put out that some members are going to be on the other side of the world, and, therefore, we all have to mark time."
Tánaiste Mary Harney remarked that it had been a long tradition for members of the Government to join Irish groups and associations in various parts of the world, around the national feast day, to help promote the Republic's business and tourism. Later, as Ms Harney came under pressure on overcrowding in hospitals, she was the object of a compliment as rare as the sighting of a Minister in the Dáil on the week of St Patrick's Day.
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte expressed horror at the hospital situation, adding that while he was not predisposed to do so: "I would be minded to ask for her resignation were she not the pick of the clapped-out group of burnt out Ministers who accompany her on the Government side".
But Mr Rabbitte's brief compliment soon gave way to renewed criticism and ridicule. Minister for Tourism John O'Donoghue had enough, when Fine Gael's Bernard Durkan referred to the participation of Ministers in "soft, cosy chat shows" on RTÉ.
"The deputy should try to get on The Podge and Rodge Show," said the Minister.