WITHIN the last week the images of the 17 cathaoirleachs of the Seanad, starting with Lord Glenavy in 1922, have appeared along the corridor between the Seanad and the Dail chambers in Leinster House. The story quickly spread among deputies and senators that the Ceann Comhairle of the Dail, Sean Treacy, was unaware of this latest phase in the redecoration of the House and was not best pleased that the Upper House was being so honoured while there was no sign of any move to display the photographs of the speakers of the lower house. The senators - although they had to remove sketches of the FitzGeralds, Dukes of Leinster, who built the house - are delighted with themselves that they got there first.
Meanwhile, the question is being asked if there is now a corridor big enough and long enough for a collection of ceann comhairles. Indeed, there is talk that there is no room for the portrait of Albert Reynolds which will eventually be hung alongside all other past Taoisigh. But that problem must wait until he retires from politics and there's little sign of that.