`I suppose we will all be on bread and water now," said one veteran deputy in Leinster House this week, when it emerged that socialist TD Joe Higgins had been nominated to the House Services Committee which oversees the bars and restaurants and which may now face a reduced subsidy. The continuing war among the technicals meant Higgins was chosen by the established practice of having his name drawn out of a hat. He also got the Enterprise and Small Business Committee, which should make for interesting times there.
Jackie Healy Rae not only drew the Environment Committee from a hat but was then chosen by his colleagues to chair it. Many wonder how he will manage to restrain himself and maintain impartiality, particularly if the Kerry roads are on the agenda.