Dáil Sketch/Michael O'Regan:Within days of the Budget, and on the eve of this newspaper's opinion poll, the general election campaign was in full swing during yesterday's Order of Business.
Richard Bruton, standing in for Enda Kenny, challenged Tánaiste Michael McDowell on the implementation of the Government's legislative programme.
First, there was a rebuke. Mr Bruton referred to Mr McDowell's "petulant performance" in the House on Wednesday, when he abruptly sat down in mid-sentence because of Opposition heckling.
There was none of that yesterday, with Mr McDowell grim-faced and combative.
"How stands the PD legislative programme, that so-called radical programme which the party offered the people," Mr Bruton asked. "It appears redundant." Among other things, including tax reductions, the PDs had promised to reform the Transport Act 1932, he added.
Mr McDowell said that legislation was being prepared to reform transport law. "We have been told that for the past seven years," Mr Bruton said.
When Mr Bruton asked about the Defamation Bill, Mr McDowell looked determined, sure of his ground.
"If the deputy has not seen the Defamation Bill, he should visit his optician because it is before the Seanad and will be debated on Wednesday next," the Tánaiste said.
"I remind the deputy that it was his very distinguished brother [ former taoiseach John Bruton] who was standing here where I am now when I was on the benches opposite. He said that reform of the defamation law was not a priority for him."
But Richard Bruton was not impressed. "Nothing of the so-called radical programme will be delivered before the election," he said.
"It is like the last sting of a dying wasp. It is a very stale sort of radical programme."
Pat Rabbitte joined in. He recalled the 2002 election slogan of the PDs: "Look what we have done with four [ TDs]. Can you imagine what we would do with eight?" Mr Rabbitte observed: "When one considers the state of the health services and crime, including falling detection rates, one might ask: 'Can you imagine what they would do with nine?' "
The Fianna Fáil backbenchers seemed to find it all hilarious. Mr Rabbitte, with mock concern, chided them for laughing.
"These are the partners of the PDs in Government. There should be some solidarity with the Tánaiste." Mr McDowell wore a half-smile.
Fine Gael's Bernard Durkan asked about the possibility of introducing the minerals development Bill to generate a discussion on the administration of mining and minerals in the State.
Mr McDowell said the legislation would be published in the middle of next year.
"In the middle of next year? You might not be here then," Mr Durkan said. Mr McDowell replied, with emphasis: "I will."
The election campaign continues next week, with Bertie Ahern's return to the House on Tuesday and Brian Cowen's Budget on Wednesday.