Fine Gael leader Michael Noonan was the speaker at the lunch before a big game at Shannon Rugby Club a couple of weeks ago. The MC said the guest was a lifelong rugby fan, a great friend to the club, a good member of the community and so on and so forth. Let me introduce you, he said, to Michael Noonan TD, leader of the Labour party. When the laughter died down, Noonan got to his feet. "Well, I will be leader of the Labour party when I become taoiseach," he said.
"Yes," said a voice from the crowd. "You may be taoiseach, but not till Ruairi Quinn has had his two and a half years first."
