DÁIL SKETCH:CEANN COMHAIRLE John O'Donoghue was 53 yesterday. Fine Gael's Phil Hogan wished him a happy birthday on the Order of Business.

The House was united on the issue. “Hear, hear,” said a chorus of TDs. O’Donoghue, who lives the life of a political Trappist monk because of the restrictions of his office, was in a philosophical mood.

He noted that the English poet, Arthur O’Shaughnessy, had penned the lines: For each age is a dream that is dying/Or one that is coming to birth.

O’Donoghue stopped short of saying whether his reputed dream of returning to ministerial office was dying or retaining the prospect of a rebirth.

Fine Gael’s Pádraic McCormack suggested that O’Donoghue’s Kerry South constituency colleague, Independent Jackie Healy-Rae, should have initiated the birthday greetings. Healy-Rae was sitting in the lobby, deep in thought, probably working out his weekend canvass schedule for his councillor sons Michael and Danny in his native heath.

Minister for Health Mary Harney joined in the birthday wishes from the Government side.

“While he is unable to socialise with his colleagues within the environs of this House, I hope he gets an opportunity to enjoy his birthday somewhere,” she added.

Fine Gael’s Paul Kehoe said the Ceann Comhairle should have a drink in Kerry with Healy-Rae.

Not likely, right now. Perhaps in advance of the next general election, if the Healy-Rae/Fianna Fáil civil war draws to a close? Fine Gael’s Tom Sheahan, the third Kerry South TD, spoke of the plight of a local farmer who is rarely seen in the pub these days.

Sheahan pleaded with the Cabinet to introduce support measures for the dairy sector. Farmers were getting 20 cent a litre for their milk, he said.

“I met a man recently in my home village . . . I told him I had not met him in the pub recently,” Sheahan added.

“He asked me how could he have met me . . . He would need five gallons of milk to have a pint of Guinness.” Fine Gael’s Michael Ring wondered what had happened to the Fianna Fáil Ministers, given that it was Independent Mary Harney who was taking the Order of Business.

“I got this leaflet this morning from a Fianna Fáil candidate,” Ring declared. “Looking at it, one would think he is the same as Deputy Harney, an Independent.”

In a verbal explosion, similar to an Achill earthquake, Ring claimed the Fianna Fáil candidates were ashamed of the party. “Where are all the Fianna Fáil Ministers this morning?” he shrieked.

“Deputy Ring is perpetually independent,” said Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin.

Deputies later left for their constituencies to resume an intensive canvass. The house will not sit next week. The Ceann Comhairle, who is above politics, must remain aloof from the fray in his Trappist monk’s armoury.

He will retreat to his native Iveragh peninsula, contemplate the passing of the years and read Arthur O’Shaughnessy.