DÁIL SKETCH: "Yesterday's figures prove beyond doubt that the people backed the wrong horse in the election last year," he said, obviously still smarting, more than a year later, at how the people had let him down, writes Marie O'Halloran
And how they didn't listen. The previous minister for finance told the people not to believe Fine Gael and Labour's "economic reality" in their pre-election projections. And the exchequer returns showed how right the Opposition parties were in repeatedly pointing this out. But as stated earlier the people didn't listen. And look what happened to them. "The consumer is being fleeced by diesel, petrol and home heating oil prices. Everybody is facing rising prices, stagnant incomes and mortgage problems, and the Government is ignoring it all."
Tánaiste Mary Coughlan, now firmly established as the Dáil boss on Thursdays, accepted the returns were disappointing but, using a favourite Government phrase, "we have a very resilient economy".
Deputies obviously listened to Enda's remarks about backing horses and, prompted by remarks in another forum, it was the off for a round of racing humour, tips and commentary.
First to wonder at how to place his bet was Fine Gael's Charlie Flanagan who noted that Taoiseach Brian Cowen was canvassing at the races in Kilbeggan last week. "I wonder if he had any insider knowledge by way of tips from the former taoiseach as to likely runners and winners."
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore asked if the Government was still on to set up an all-party committee on gambling or "does it believe it has sufficient expertise on the matter on its back-benches now"?
The Opposition guffawed while even the Government benches were filled with smiles.
Fine Gael funny man (some have argued that's a mutually exclusive proposition) Bernard Durkan was next up for racing humour opining that he, too, was "thinking of making a modest investment with my local bookmaker", but he had been informed such investments "can be very precarious". Earlier Gilmore repeatedly referred to the Dáil rising for the summer recess on July 3rd, leaving just nine sitting days as the House adjourns next week for the referendum. A critic of the short sittings, he pointed out that the Dáil sat for just two days this week. "For the life of me I don't understand why the House does not sit on the Tuesday after a bank holiday," he exclaimed.
"You're four miles up the road," retorted a Fianna Fáil backbencher. The Tánaiste did not say the Dáil would adjourn on July 3rd. But it's an absolute safe bet and racing certainty that they can all take out their buckets and spades on July 4th.