DÁIL SKETCH:Opposition relishes sticky situation for Coughlan over sugar plant closure

THE OPPOSITION scented political blood in the Dáil yesterday – Donegal political blood.

More importantly, it was political blood that had the potential to flow over the hills and valleys of Donegal South West, where the byelection is under way.

It arose from the revelation by EU auditors that the closure of the Mallow sugar factory in 2006 was needless because the business was profitable at the time.

The minister for agriculture in that Celtic Tiger year was Tánaiste and TD for Donegal South West Mary Coughlan, who happened to be taking yesterday’s Order of Business.

The prospect of Coughlan’s political scalp being delivered on a plate to voters in her home constituency led to cross-party unity on the Opposition benches.

They wanted an emergency debate, with the Tánaiste present to answer questions.

Ceann Comhairle Séamus Kirk said the issue could be dealt with later by way of a special notice question or a motion on the adjournment. It was not enough to placate an angry Opposition.

Mallow is in the Cork East constituency and local TDs Seán Sherlock, of Labour, and David Stanton, of Fine Gael, were quickly out of the traps.

“We are referring to a national industry which was formerly owned by the State, which sold it,” said Sherlock. Stanton emphasised the importance of having the debate now.

Tipperary South Fine Gael TD Tom Hayes, resembling a volcano erupting from the Silvermine mountains, spoke of how his constituents had been affected.

Kirk threatened to suspend him from the House. “I will not leave the House . . . what happened in respect of this matter has affected my constituents,” replied Hayes.

Sinn Féin’s Aengus Ó Snodaigh, with an eye no doubt on colleague Pearse Doherty’s byelection chances, was equally adamant that Coughlan should be in the dock.

Kirk asked that Ó Snodaigh be seated as temperatures rose. “I can shout louder than the Ceann Comhairle, if he wishes,” snapped Ó Snodaigh.

Labour’s Pat Rabbitte suggested postponing the resumed debate on the legislation providing for a directly elected lord mayor of Dublin.

“We can drop the mayor thing . . . nobody gives a damn,” he said.

The Greens, who have nurtured this legislative baby, looked unimpressed.

Kirk adjourned the House for 10 minutes. When proceedings resumed, Coughlan, having blamed the European Commission for the factory closure, offered a full debate later in the day. But she would not be part of it.

When that debate got under way, her absence was criticised by Opposition speakers. The byelection campaign was under way in Leinster House as much as it was in the Tánaiste’s native heath.