DÁIL SKETCH:BOGS AND septic tanks took the focus off the referendum for a time in the Dáil yesterday.

And they led to the usually restrained Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan, calling Independent TD Mattie McGrath a “serial law-breaker” in the heat of political battle.

A clearly aggrieved Deenihan noted that he had inherited the controvsery surrounding protected bogs when he became Minister.

Fianna Fáil, he said, had used a derogation without permission from Europe, allowing one-third of the designated areas to be taken away over a 10-year period.

The political history lesson was not good enough for McGrath, who urged the Minister to stand up to Europe on the issue.

It was a comment too far for the Minister.

“Deputy McGrath seems to be a serial law-breaker,” he declared.

Jumping to his feet, an angry McGrath demanded that the charge be withdrawn.

Deenihan said he had made his observation in the context of McGrath’s role in the bog designation and septic tank controversies.

“What laws pertain to septic tanks ?” asked McGrath. “I have not broken any law.” The Minister, he said, was a “bluffer” who had put a slur on his character. He would write to the Ceann Comhairle to complain.

Deenihan accused McGrath of coming into the House to interrupt and heckle him.

“I responded in that context,” he said. “It was a political comment.” Backing up his charge, Deenihan said that McGrath had advocated that people should not pay for septic tanks.

“Why should they pay when the Government cannot get their house in order?” replied McGrath.

Deenihan, a former All-Ireland-winning Kerry GAA captain and teacher, was on more solid ground when he replied to McGrath on plans to mark the Battle of Clontarf anniversary in 2014.

The Minister waxed lyrical. The signal anniversary presented a special opportunity to enhance the appreciation and understanding of the Vikings in our national history, their settlement in centres throughout Ireland and contribution to the economic and cultural life of Ireland.

It was worth noting, he said, that the 4,900 soldiers on Brian Boru’s side, mostly Munster and Connacht men, were faced in battle by 4,000 Leinster men and 3,000 Vikings.

“In other words, it was not a case of Ireland against the Vikings but, essentially, Munster against Leinster aided by the Vikings,” he added. “That scenario has since been repeated on the rugby field on many occasions.”

Addressing TDs and young visitors in the public gallery, Deenihan noted that as a history teacher, he was always careful to portray the Vikings as more than mere raiders. They were very much involved in trade, craft, art and so on, he said.

“Apart from the plundering of our monasteries at Lambay and elsewhere, we should not forget their contribution to our cultural heritage and to the development of our major towns and settlements,” he added.

Assessing the Viking legacy seemed like a welcome escape for the Minister from the controversial world of bogs and septic tanks.