A year ago all Dail deputies, excluding office-holders who have more modern technology than they can cope with, were given a laptop computer by the Oireachtas. At the beginning of this session they were given a second one, so both their Leinster House and constituency offices could be techno-friendly. They were also given mobile phones to make them truly modern, but they have to pay their own bills. All the equipment belongs to the Oireachtas and is returned when they lose their seats.
Former taoisigh, however, are more privileged. They get to hold on to their mobile phones on leaving office and what's more, the Department of the Taoiseach continues to pay the bills. A year ago exactly (and there has been no update since), a written reply to Pat Rabbitte gave some interesting details. Garret FitzGerald's monthly bill in 1997 was £20.90; Charles Haughey had an average bill of £95.59; John Bruton's cost £128.84. Albert Reynolds's bill was £357.87 per month. It's easy to see who gets about most. Neither Liam Cosgrave nor Jack Lynch are listed. Mobiles, it would appear, came after their time.