Dáil Sketch/Michael O'Regan: Ceann Comhairle Dr Rory O'Hanlon is a stern keeper of order in the Dáil, but he has no plans to acquire a whip to keep members in line.
This emerged during the usual Opposition claims that deputies were being prevented from speaking during the Order of Business.
Labour chief whip Emmet Stagg suggested that matters would move more swiftly if Dr O'Hanlon kept quiet.
"As a whip, Deputy Stagg has a major contribution to make to Dáil reform," declared Dr O'Hanlon. "If he believes the Order of Business should be an omnibus question time, and gets the agreement of the House, the Chair would be absolutely delighted to implement it."
Forgetting that the Ceann Comhairle is above politics, Mr Stagg suggested that Dr O'Hanlon should speak to "his own" whip. "The Chair is in the fortunate position of having no whip," replied Dr O'Hanlon.
"That may be just as well," remarked Fine Gael's Bernard Durkan, who has been reprimanded by the Ceann Comhairle in the past.
Meanwhile, the Government chief whip, Tom Kitt, was busy passing some briefing material, accompanied by the odd whisper, to Brian Cowen, who was taking the Order of Business.
Bertie Ahern was in Spain on official business, but the whereabouts of his Ministers caused some speculation.
Despite a good turnout of backbenchers, perhaps because of a recent letter of rebuke from Mr Kitt, the Minister for Finance cut a solitary figure on the senior ministerial benches.
However, help was soon at hand in the form of Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea. "I thought for a moment that the entire Government had gone to Spain to discuss the Irish language," remarked Enda Kenny.
Mr O'Dea soon lived up to his reputation as the Magill magazine "heckler of the year". Labour's Brendan Howlin complained in a loud voice about the lack of beds in Wexford General Hospital. "Patients needed to be move into the children's ward last weekend."
Mr O'Dea suggested that Mr Howlin's colleague, Liz McManus should "quieten that tadpole".
Later, Mr O'Dea turned his attention to Ms McManus when she was called to speak. "Silence for Lady Wicklow," said Mr O'Dea. Mr Durkan remarked: "The Minister for Defence is getting into bad habits." Mr Kenny remarked that Mr O'Dea was, after all, the champion heckler.
However, there was a consensus on one issue. Although the House usually meets on Tuesdays, there was agreement to adjourn until 2.30pm next Wednesday.