Dail Sketch: There was a certain element of déjà vu to Dáil proceedings yesterday. Like the previous day, the Taoiseach trooped into the Chamber, followed in single file by many of his new Cabinet and Ministers of State.
Like the first day too, Bertie Ahern read out his list of appointments, this time naming everyone, major and minor, and their Departments. Particular mention was given to the three newcomers to full Cabinet membership, whose nominations the President had accepted in the Áras.
After the great, unconcealed grins of Wednesday, Mary Hanafin, Willie O'Dea and Dick Roche, sitting beside each other, did their utmost to contain their smiles and keep serious faces on their first full day in office.
Also looking very serious about his job was the new Chief Whip, Tom Kitt.
With a furrowed brow, he carefully scrutinised the great black folder containing the Government's programme of legislation as opposition deputies asked about various Bills and the timing of their likely or even possible appearance in the House.
He appeared to be the only one taking notes during the new school term. But as Opposition deputies called for their topic of interest, they gave an indication of some issues incoming Ministers might face.
Fine Gael's Bernard Allen put down a challenge to the new Minister for Education when he suggested that it might be "third time lucky", with Ms Hanafin being the third Minister to be involved in the Cork school of music, the building of which had not yet started. The Minister remained serene.
Potential challenges to the "safety" of the Ceann Comhairle's job brought a few smiles when Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny noted former minister Michael Smith "sitting high on the backbenches telling us that he will be hanging around for a while longer".
Mr Kenny asked if Dr Rory O'Hanlon had heard the remark. To a grinning assembly the Ceann Comhairle replied: "That does not arise on the Order of Business." Mr Kenny quipped: "He's not going to leave a convivial party until it closes down." A grinning, or was it blushing, Mr Smith pointed out: "I got a medical as well." Labour leader Pat Rabbitte, whose fraught ex- changes with the Ceann Comhairle are infamous, quipped that Dr O'Hanlon should not presume he was taking sides "if you hear reports that I am taking a quiet drink with the former minister".
But if the Order of Business is meant to be a verbal brawl, the Opposition failed to land a worthwhile punch on the self-conscious new Cabinet.